Sometimes ideas come to me at the strangest times, like when Im taking a shower, at 2 am when I cant sleep, or when I’m driving my car. But when a great idea comes along you know it right away, right?
This happened to me a couple of weeks ago. As I was driving my car, a light bulb went off. I suddenly thought of a terrific idea to move a struggling project forward. I was certain that this new innovative approach to a stale project would have a positive impact on the project as well as my department and I couldnt wait to share it with one of my co-workers.
The next day I met my colleague for lunch and I was bubbling over with enthusiasm as I told her my idea. She was equally excited and validated my strategy and creativity. I couldnt wait to present this at our next senior staff meeting later in the week.
In the senior staff meeting, we made our way through the agenda and the troubled project became the focus of our discussion. I was already thinking about the best way to present my idea when my colleague addressed the senior team with a potential solution; MY SOLUTION! She stole my idea!
My face immediately flushed and I could feel my heart rate accelerate. I didnt know what to say or do.
This a theoretical situation but my question to you is this: What should I do in this situation?
Has this ever happened to you? What did you do and how did it turn out?
Please email me your thoughts and I will post them next week along with some of my suggestions for how to handle the situation.
Hi Bonnie,
Once upon a time I had a boss who took credit for my ideas – his peers told me about that. I did nothing at that time. It ended badly.
My recommend in this scenario: 1) After meeting, confront colleague and express feeling (shock surprise anger etc.) and describe impact on relationship (no trust, no share) and if possible restore some semblance of relationship. 2) At next group meeting, retake idea ownership by referencing idea presented and ADD several points that enhance the solutions that expand solutions. 3) Finally, if necessary based on office politics, relate incident to boss and action you took to deal with situation. (Running to boss first is simply seen as whining. OR, Worse sniping offender to others makes you a griper.)
Cordially, Ann
Ann, thank you for your thoughtful response! This is great.Stay tuned to my next blog when I will post all the suggestions different people have sent me as well as my own.