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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Idea theft- Fucking infuriating....or fair game?

5 replies

Everymanforthemselves · 24/07/2025 17:57

I am a member of a small team. Fairly new in. One of my strengths is idea generation- people have always liked having me around to help brainstorm, problem solve etc. I have a lot of experience in my area of work too so my ideas are drawn from the nuances in my career experience (hope that makes sense!) and also things that I would expect to help initiate.

I am very frustrated by my ideas being taken from me by my two line managers and then presented to the rest of the team as their own. It is my belief a good manager credits their team and that the creation of ideas is a valuable skill that should be recognized. For example my colleague is an expert at planning and excel- I am not. If they created a spread sheet that was useful then I would let them know. I wouldn't use the spreadsheet and then claim it as my invention.

I appreciate ideas are, generally, recycled. We all take ideas and build upon them. Much like spreadsheets! I mean, I could start a spreadsheet but it would be basic and not very user-friendly! Much better to use the experts spreadsheet and thank them for their genius!

The issue for me is the taking of an idea that is fairly unique and based on knowledge and insight I have worked hard for and then a senior member/ members re-presenting to the team (and upwards to the board) the very same idea and saying that "I had an idea", "It occured to me" or "What I'm really hoping to do is...." all packaged with complete self-assurance despite the fact they wouldn't even know x, y and z because it's not their field.

AIBU? Or do I need to just accept this is how things are done in some organizations. I have never experienced this to such a degree before, if at all.

OP posts:
AgnesX · 24/07/2025 18:02

There are always some that take the mickey. If it's happened twice with different people it maybe cultural in your organisation.

Next time (if there is a next time) don't give it to them, make them work for all the information so they can't steal it without it being obvious.

SequinsandSoleros · 24/07/2025 18:03

You say fairly new, how long have you been there?
Were any of the rest of the team there when you gave the ideas or was it 1-1s only?
I think it sucks to get no credit. It is mean/self-promoting/pulling the ladder up behind you rather than rewarding/promoting/crediting those who deserve it.
Any way you can get it credited via your appraisal in the self-appraisal parts - I was pleased you went with my idea on/happy the idea I put forward came to fruition.
Are the two line managers on their way up, there for now or stuck in their role?

Namechangetheyarewatching · 24/07/2025 18:13

Can you say, "oh I'm so pleased you liked my idea and used it" can you credit me for it next time though

Everymanforthemselves · 24/07/2025 18:54

Thanks. I have used variations of "Oh do you remember when I said last week....." and "Yeah I absolutely think it's a great idea, at least you can see why I was badgering you with emails about it now!!!" And at least one person has noticed that this has happened to me but she has also done it herself so I do think it is a culture in this company. The company is very toxic and there is a degree of scrutiny happening by some stakeholders because it has become out of hand. I came in when the storm was in full force and have been trying to ride it out for the greater good.

I think what really gets me is that I feel I am potentially going to look like a Pratt having to keep echoing " That's my idea, that's my idea" it feels really uncomfortable.

I'm also very aware my ideas are going to be used as the bedrock of our new strategy, something some one has been paid 3-4 times my salary to create.

OP posts:
Namechangetheyarewatching · 25/07/2025 18:12

My daughter was leading on a project and had rewritten some of the template to help with information gathering, a big change in how things were being done, which made it better and more streamlined.

At a presentation meeting one of the guys took the information and started to present it as his own work, and my daughter sat there bewildered.

She let him carry on and then said, actually I think you will find thats my work, which i can prove, but if Bob needs this for a promotion or to make himself look good, so badly, let him have it, she then got up and walked out.

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