Frances Horibe's

Confronting a Co-Worker who Stole Your Idea If a co-worker stole your idea, should you confront him? After all, you can’t let people get ahead by copping others’ ideas. In the last post, YOU floated a new product idea with Emmett, your co-worker. He pooh-poohed it which discouraged you from presenting it to your mutual boss, Len. At the next staff meeting, Len praises Emmett for the same idea and assigns Emmett to work on developing it. You make it to your cubicle before you explode to your office neighbor, Brenda. You: The gall of the guy! That was my idea! Brenda: (smiling) Emmett? You: How did you know? Brenda: Welcome to the club. You: Huh? Brenda: The Burned-by-Emmett Club. We’re all members. You: What did you do? Brenda: (shrugs) What can you do? But in your cubicle, you can’t settle down. The gall of the guy! I can’t believe it! And even: what a group of cowards—no wonder Emmett gets away with it. The more you think about it, the madder you get. No way. No way! You jump up and head to Emmett’s cubicle. Confronting Emmett who stole your idea You: I’ve got a bone to pick with…

It happens. Doesn’t matter the industry sector, company, or complexity of work. But what do you do if a co-worker steals your idea? Let’s follow this scenario. Emmett, despite his name, seems like an okay guy. He showed you the ropes when you started three months ago. The other guys seem good too, but more often than not, Emmett picks you up for lunch. You think you’re getting the hang of the job and even have an idea you want to pitch to your boss (Len). But you want to bounce it off Emmett first to see if it’s likely to fly. You: Hey, can I pick your brain? Emmett: Sure, what’s up? You: I want to pitch a new product to Len but I wanted to run it by you first. [You explain your Great Idea] Emmett: Yeah, interesting. But I don’t know if Len will go for it. You: Why not? Emmett: (shrugs) It’s not really our market. You: But that’s just the point—it will expand the appeal of the product. Emmett: Yeah, but it would have to be a whole different marketing approach. You: But wouldn’t it be worth it? Emmett: (shakes his head) I dunno—Len’s been…