When a boss attempted to take credit for a colleague’s hard work, one employee’s quick thinking silenced the room—and earned a round of applause from the internet.
On Saturday, Reddit user u/ToriFlame shared a moment from a wrap-up meeting where their boss tried to claim full credit for the reports and presentations that they had done, until her co-worker, Lisa, stepped in with a simple but pointed remark: “Didn’t Beth do all the reports and presentations though?”
u/ToriFlame wrote: “Whole room went quiet. Boss just kinda fake-laughed and said ‘well, teamwork!’ Felt like I won an Oscar.”
The post quickly gained traction on the “coworker stories” subreddit, earning 20,000 upvotes as people rallied behind Lisa’s bold move.
Expert Insight
According to Eddie Turner, a leadership development expert, such behavior is often rooted in a lack of emotional intelligence.
He told Newsweek that some managers, through a lack of self-awareness, will take credit for work they didn’t do, believing they are entitled to it because they hold a leadership position.
“In my experience as a leadership advisor, this lack of self-awareness can lead to feelings of frustration, resentment, and demotivation among employees,” Turner said, who added that while such behavior may stem from insecurity or a desire to assert authority, it ultimately harms the workplace environment and stifles team morale.
“Peer support is crucial in mitigating these negative effects. When coworkers step in to highlight the contributions of their peers, it fosters a culture of recognition and respect. This can alleviate feelings of isolation and enhance the sense of camaraderie,” he said.
Nikki Innocent, an expert in modern workplace culture and well-being, told Newsweek that many managers exhibit this behavior because it was modeled for them.
She pointed out that leadership positions are often filled based on years of service or organizational need, rather than an individual’s aptitude for managing people.
“Many managers do what was modeled for them. As humans we are patterned beings, while we are led to believe we are driven by free will, we’re often following the footsteps that were walked before us, especially if we witnessed them being taken,” Innocent said.
Innocent also linked this behavior to larger systemic issues, such as patriarchal power structures, where leaders often feel entitled to claim credit for work that isn’t theirs.
“By interrupting the silent cycle, it creates a new normal of acknowledgement, appreciation and a larger understanding that in order to get things done, the contributions of everyone are necessary, valuable and worthy of recognition,” she shared.
Reddit Users Reacts
Reddit users were quick to show their admiration for Lisa’s intervention.
One user commented: “We should never forget people like her in our life. Who stood up or talked for us. I would have gotten her lunch or dinner after that meeting or would have always helped her.”
Another shared: “I love people like her. Sometimes I give them a fairly straightforward question, but one I know the person taking credit won’t know. They either lie – and then I correct them – or they look at me and everyone knows.”
A third user simply commented, “That’s the kind of savage support we all need. Lisa for president.”
Ultimately, this story serves as a reminder that standing up for your colleagues, whether in subtle or bold ways, can help ensure that everyone’s contributions are valued—and that no one is left behind in the shadows of others’ egos.
Source – https://www.newsweek.com/boss-tries-take-credit-employees-work-2065037