When Your Boss Takes Credit for Your Work
When Recognition Becomes Betrayal
Have you watched someone else get credit for your work?
Leigh was a capable mid-level manager in tech.
She felt stuck.
Her boss wouldn't give her new responsibilities.
She was bored, under-challenged, and under-recognized.
Her peer, hired at the same time, had already moved ahead.
Different manager. Different outcome.
The Moment That Changed Everything
Then Leigh spotted a major financial issue, fixed it and escalated it.
Then her boss took credit for it.
In writing.
Seeing him claim her work as his own was the final straw.
When we spoke, I could see she wasn't just angry.
She was demoralized.
She questioned her instincts, her place, her value.
What Coaching Helped Her See
As her coach, my role was to steady the emotional turbulence and offer strategic clarity.
Together, we identified where she'd outgrown her role.
We mapped the skills she wanted to develop.
We practiced how to start a confident, non-confrontational conversation with her manager.
I reminded her: her growth wasn't a threat to him.
It was a necessity for their team.
His withholding development wasn't her fault.
The Strategy That Gave Her Power Back
Instead of waiting to be delegated to, Leigh took action.
She asked: "What parts of your role could I support with more training?"
She reassured her boss: "If something feels complex, I'll check in right away."
She delivered work with speed and precision—metrics her boss valued.
She began networking within the company.
Seeking mentors who believed in upskilling.
What Changed for Leigh
The road ahead isn't instant.
But Leigh saw it clearly for the first time.
She now knows how to either re-engage her boss or reposition herself with another leader who values growth.
That's the clarity executive coaching provides.
Especially for women navigating complex workplaces.
Ready to Find Your Way Forward?
Email me at suzanne@doylemorris.com for a complimentary chemistry call.
We'll explore your biggest challenge and whether a 12-month coaching partnership makes sense for you.
Most of my clients are employer-funded.
Yes, your company will likely pay for this and I can help you through that goal.
Learn more: www.suzannedoylemorris.com
About Dr. Suzanne Doyle-Morris
Dr. Suzanne Doyle-Morris is an ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) with a PhD from the University of Cambridge focusing on women in Engineering.
For 25 years, she's coached accomplished women in STEM as they advance to senior leadership.
She's the author of three books: "Beyond the Boys' Club: Strategies for Achieving Career Success as a Woman Working in a Male Dominated Field," "The Con Job: Getting Ahead for Competence in a World Obsessed with Confidence," and "Female Breadwinners: How They Make Relationships Work and Why they are Future of the Modern Workforce."
80% of her clients secure promotions or stretch roles within 12 months.
Not because she gives advice, but because she asks the right questions.
Welcome to my Blog
I'm Dr Suzanne Doyle‑Morris and I support professional women working in STEM.
Whether you’re seeking your next promotion, aiming for leadership, or simply looking to make your mark, this blog is created for you.
It's written for the ambitious woman in STEM ready to advance and succeed on her own terms.
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Your roadmap to advancement with balance.
The Women in Tech Promotion Playbook is a practical, evidence-based guide.
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The Women in Tech Promotion Playbook
Your roadmap to advancement with balance
The Women in Tech Promotion Playbook is a practical, evidence-based guide designed for ambitious women in STEM who want to advance their careers without burning out. Drawing on over 25 years of coaching and research, I outline five strategic steps that help women move from being overworked and under recognised to confident, visible leaders.
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