[CalRobert]

I had another offer lined up when I decided to chat with the boss' boss. It went about how I expected, I took the offer, and learned a good deal about how business works in the process.

Communication is important - very important - but it's also often what people focus on when the reality is just a bigger pain in the ass ("so and so is a selfish twit who takes credit for others' work" is much harder to say than "we need to address communication issues between departments")

[manigandham]

I think that's an issue both in communications and in handling people.

For example, did you have to take credit for that particular situation? What was the true downside of your boss taking credit? Why not cover for him and gain the ally? Build the relationship and you'll often find that it pays back in multiples.

Business is 99% about relationships. The only way you can get what you want is by helping others get what they want.

[justaguyhere]

I don't get it - his boss took credit for his work, likely without his consent or even knowledge (I'd guess he came to know after his boss took credit). And yet, you want him to cover for his boss? He also mentioned his boss was incompetent. How can you trust such a person to watch out for you, even if you let it go?

[manigandham]

Because relationships matter, and that's how you build that trust in the first place.

Why not work with them, teach them, and make them better. Instead of being upset, be on their side. Almost always, they'll help you in return. Being confrontational and going around them though, will only guarantee more negative outcomes. Remember that your boss's boss and other colleagues probably don't want to deal with someone who is seemingly more interested in getting credit rather than getting things done.

[CalRobert]

I'm glad your life has led you to have such faith in management. I hope it's because you've been treated well. If you're early in your career and think this is how it works most places, I worry you may be in for a rude awakening.

I had a colleague who once told me "the trick to making good ideas happen is to make your boss think it was their idea". And they were completely right! It didn't stop them from quitting in frustration years later having never been promoted.

[CalRobert]

I had a new job and a pay raise lined up. It was mostly to toot my horn after feeling slighted, to be completely honest. I was young and naive at the time (and a bit less circumspect).

These days I'd just quietly polish the CV and move along. But I have a much better job now.

[hedvig]

Wrong. Bad actors should be punished.