Alankar KarpeProject and program management, Speaker and mentor | WiproBangalore, India
My boss gave me credit for a project on which a colleague did most of the work. is it ethical on my part to accept the praise? Or should I also name my colleague who did most of the work? Saving Changes...
Responses here are unanimous
Was your question more about How to do it than what to do?
In the long run the truth surface. Saving Changes...
Alankar KarpeProject and program management, Speaker and mentor | WiproBangalore, India
I agree that boss should be aware but unfortunately that may not be the case every time. Credit is usually given by bosses to the ones who 'show the work' and may not actually 'work'. I echo what most of people here saying that "Give credit where credit is due". Saving Changes...
Julia CunninghamManager Project Management| BattelleRichland, Wa, United States
Redirect the credit, the sooner the better, and as often as necessary. Saving Changes...
Syed Nazir RazikEngineering Leader - Product and Platforms, Agile CoE| AltimetrikChennai,, T.N., India
Definitely not ! One of the biggest consequence of doing so would be that you will fallout with your colleague. The tenets of Servant leadership suggest that there is no " i " in the team. And as a team under commit and over deliver Saving Changes...
Al TaylorI.T. Contractor| IndependentWaterloo, Ontario, Canada
Take the credit. Also, have the other PM taken to a lonely place in the forest and left there.
Just kidding!...many great posts. Mike's point is very well made! Saving Changes...
Paul PelletierProject management key note speaker, author, corporate lawyer, and executive| Paul Pelletier Consulting Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
So impressive to see many PMPs making comments that align not only with the "moral" or "right" thing to do, but also with the best ethical decision as regards our professional code of conduct. One of the pillars of our Code of Ethics is RESPECT. Another pillar is HONESTY
I believe that taking credit for something you didn't do is, at its core, both disrespectful and dishonest. Thus, it is imperative to set the record straight and ensure that your colleague receives credit and praise for her work. Not only is this the professionally appropriate step to take, it is the "right" thing to do. By treating our coworkers with respect, we contribute to a workplace that embodies a culture of teamwork, inclusion and trust. Saving Changes...
Gina AbudiPresident| Abudi Consulting LLCAmherst, Nh, United States
Name your colleague. Simply tell your boss, thank you however the credit really must go to who accomplished much of the work. Saving Changes...
Suresh MKConsultant - Transformation| FreelancingBangalore, Karnataka, India
My suggestion is to find out the reason for your boss to give credit to you. Does he think you are responsible for this ( without you realizing about it)? If yes and you accept that, then start monitoring from now on as you will be blamed for something going wrong. If not, clear the air Saving Changes...
Gopal SahaiCorporate Trainer| Self employedNew Delhi, Delhi, India
If you ask that question here, the obvious answer is "No you shouldn't accept the praise". That's considering ethics, truthfulness, professionalism, long term gains.... or whatever.
The point is, what is the overall scenario here... if you are the Project Manager, you may not be doing a whole lot of work, and your team would be doing a lot of work, but the praise comes to the leading man. In such cases, a leader is one who in turn shares the 'praises' with the team, while making it known to the original praiser (boss) that had it not been for the team, you wouldn't have made it. So comes in the topic of HOW to do that.
When you mention "colleague" in your question, it makes sense to 'assume' that s/he is at par with you (peer level) and has done most of the work and hence you getting all the praise is not 'ethical'.
But tell me, would it still be as unethical if, let's say, the colleague is no longer around (left the organization) and you are the only leader available to be showered with praises? Maybe ethics won't bother you that much then....!!! Saving Changes...
Gregorio TorreEngineering Program Manager| Motorola SolutionsSingapore, Singapore
I agree with everyone. But I agree mostly with Mike Frenette's comment that this should be corrected publicly if possible, and to add to that the soonest the better. Saving Changes...
