Credit theft: The reputation cost no one escapes

A few days ago, my son found a gold bangle in our apartment society’s play area. Acting responsibly, he asked people nearby whether it belonged to them. A woman immediately claimed it was hers and collected it. He came home pleased that he had helped return a lost item. Minutes later, however, my wife saw a message in the society’s social media group from the same woman, stating that she had found a gold bangle in the play area and that the owner could collect it from her house. My wife was unsure how to respond.

A similar incident occurred when my son was collecting donations for a social cause. He thanked someone for making a generous contribution, and the person graciously accepted his thanks, although she had not donated. A few days later, one of his friends checked whether he had received the contribution from his mother. My son then realised he had thanked the wrong person because both individuals shared the same name. The person who accepted his thanks could easily have clarified the misunderstanding, but she chose not to.

These incidents significantly reduced our respect for the individuals involved. More importantly, they made me reflect on a broader issue: credit theft.

Unfortunately, such behaviour is not limited to everyday social interactions. In corporate life, I have seen many instances where people claim undue credit for work they did not genuinely contribute to. A few years ago, in a colleague’s team, one member struggled with a client analysis and sought help from an experienced professional. Out of goodwill, he stepped in, helped identify the core issues, and shaped the thinking that ultimately resolved the problem. I knew of his involvement because he had discussed some of his ideas with me during a brainstorming conversation.

The final presentation was well received by the client. However, the team member who had received the help was recognised for her analytical capability, while the experienced professional’s contribution went unacknowledged. She neither mentioned the support she had received nor shared the credit he deserved. After witnessing the episode, I advised him that generosity and collaboration are commendable, but it is equally important to ensure that one’s contributions are visible and acknowledged.

What drives credit theft? Sometimes it stems from insecurity, incompetence, bias, or the desire for quick recognition. In toxic workplaces, where hyper-competitiveness is rewarded and visibility matters more than integrity, people may feel tempted to misappropriate someone else’s effort. They may believe they are being clever, but such behaviour rarely goes unnoticed. Colleagues observe, remember, and quietly form opinions. In the long run, credibility suffers far more than any short-term recognition.

As individuals, we must choose transparency over opportunism. Everyone has a learning curve, and growth earned through honesty is far more sustainable than success gained through shortcuts. Acknowledging support does not diminish one’s worth; it strengthens trust and demonstrates maturity.

Managers also play a critical role in preventing credit theft. They must build cultures where contributions are openly recognised, collaboration is valued, and one person’s growth is not seen as another person’s decline. When leaders reward integrity as much as outcomes, teams become safer, fairer, and more productive.

(The writer is the author of Building Blocks: Lessons on leadership that I’ve learnt on my journey, and the founder of Prajna Consulting, a boutique consulting firm. Views are personal.)