What to say when a colleague takes credit for your work
The situation
A colleague is presenting your work as theirs, to the people who decide your promotion. You have one chance to correct it without looking petty. What do you say?
They open with: “So as I was saying, the approach I put together last quarter is what got us here.”
Why it's hard: Correcting them risks looking petty and insecure in front of the exact people who decide your promotion — but saying nothing lets the theft stand.
Two things you could say
“Just so the timeline's clear — I built the model in March, and Sam took it into the pilot, which is where those numbers come from. Happy to walk anyone through how it works.”
Stating the facts warmly and generously — crediting the other person's real part — corrects the record without a hint of grievance, so you look precise rather than petty.
“Glad this is landing well — it's been a real team effort. The core approach was mine originally, so I'd love to be in the room as it goes forward.”
Claiming your part while sharing credit lets you plant the flag without a confrontation, and asking to stay involved quietly establishes ownership going forward.
What to avoid
"Actually, that was MY idea." — said flat in front of leadership, it turns a credit problem into a visible spat; even when you're right, the room reads two people squabbling rather than one person who was wronged.
The principle
Correct the record as a fact, warmly, and move on: "Just so the timeline's right — I built the model in March and Sam took it into the pilot, which is where the numbers come from." Precise, generous, unarguable.
The skill underneath it
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