Friday, July 25, 2008
Not getting your due?

Yesterday, this question was posed to me: How do you make sure you get credit for your ideas when working in a group or if you're not the one who's presenting to the higher ups? How do you ensure your boss and the editor in chief know that you're a valuable employee?

The first thing to remember is that in any collaborative effort, your job is to work as a team. You have to make your team – and thus the boss – look good. That's your job. And any superior or coworker worth their salt will recognize your contribution.

But, if you feel that you're just not getting recognized for your brilliance, start taking ownership for your ideas. Not in the "That was my idea" kind of way, but in how you present them and in the way you speak about the ideas. Consider presenting your ideas when there are others around; the more people who hear them, the more you'll be known for being the one with all the good ideas. And when discussing the idea or story, use "I" a lot, as in "I thought it was a story our readers really need" or "I knew doing it this way would be helpful."

The other thing you'll want to do is to keep track of everything so that when it comes time for your annual review or time to ask for a raise, you can quantify your contribution to the magazine. It may be delayed recognition, but it's recognition nonetheless.

What do you think? Do you have any suggestions?

- Corinna vanGerwen
About Me
Corinna vanGerwen

 

Corinna vanGerwen is a freelance editor and writer. She has worked as senior editor at Style at Home, senior design editor at Cottage Life and is the former Canadian Director of Ed2010. She has also held the position of operations manager at a boutique PR agency, where she handled strategic planning and daily operations.

 
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Corinna says:
Thank you, Alicia!...
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