By Andrew Forrester
Your hard work going unnoticed can feel frustrating. If you want to gain the appreciation you deserve, consider these questions as you decide what to do next.
“Effectively communicate your value by openly sharing your accomplishments, ideas, and goals, especially with those who influence your career development.”
Sebastian Bates, entrepreneur and author
When I was a sophomore in high school, I had a group project on the Holy Roman Empire. I was in charge of the slideshow, which meant I organized my work and the work of my partners, along the way filling in gaps they’d left with facts about the Imperial Diet and Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Those facts have utterly left my brain—seriously, please do not ask me about them—but what I do remember is this: after our presentation, which had my fingerprints on 90% of it, my teacher Mrs. Gendry was effusive in her praise, resulting in high grades for the whole group.
I was annoyed. It’s not that I wanted sole credit (I’m not a monster!). But the feeling of watching others be celebrated without an acknowledgement of the undue burden I had carried has never left my memory. It gave me a distaste for group projects—and boy, was it a bitter pill to swallow when I learned that jobs in the real world are basically all group projects. Having your hard work go overlooked in tenth grade is one thing and an entirely different thing as a working professional, where promotions and salaries are on the line. So what do you do? How do you respond when your colleagues or your boss fail to acknowledge the successes you’ve worked so hard to deliver? Here are some good questions to ask and some next steps to take.
Is It Worth It?
When your efforts are ignored, ask yourself one question: is this worth getting worked up over? The answer could absolutely be yes, and that’s something we’ll address in a moment. But anytime you’re gearing up to toot your own horn, take a beat. Are you expecting accolades for refilling the copier paper, leading an adequately-run meeting or simply getting something done on time? These are standard fare, the bread and butter of being a good employee, and though it would be nice to hear a “good job” every once in a while, you’re not exactly in a position to complain about ill treatment.
On the other hand, maybe you’ve completed a stellar project, or you’ve saved the company a bunch of money, or you’ve laid valuable groundwork that’s enabled your peers and superiors to excel in new and important ways. Those are big things! Those are worth celebrating! So if you’ve taken stock and you’re not getting credit where it’s really deserved, consider these next options.
Have You Been Loud Enough?
The same year I was in Mrs. Gendry’s history class was the year I finally revealed to my mom that I was really unhappy at my current high school and hoped to be able to transfer to another one. My mom’s first question was, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” She didn’t say, “How was I supposed to know?” But she could have.
So imagine this. You go to your boss with a list of frustrations, of moments when your work or the efforts of your team have been passed over, and they ask you the same question: How was I supposed to know?
Well, how are they? Have you been vocal about your successes? Have you sent email updates, spoken up at meetings, popped in on your manager just to share some exciting news? It can be hard to pat yourself on the back, and nobody likes to look like a braggart. But you’re a grown-up. Chances are you know how to speak to your own achievements without boring your listeners or drawing eyerolls from those around you. It may be uncomfortable, but remember: these are the sorts of things that lead to new titles and higher salaries. No one can reward your accomplishments if they don’t hear about them first.
Thank Your Collaborators and Highlight Your Team Members
Here’s a really easy way to go about it: if you do something great and one of your fellow employees played even a small part in it, let people know. Send a group email thanking that person for their help. Give a shoutout at the next meeting celebrating the collaborative nature of your workplace and expressing gratitude for getting to be part of such a special crew. And be genuine about it. People can spot false humility from a mile away; practicing authentic thankfulness, by contrast, looks good and feels good, with the added benefit that your boss will clock your role in achieving this particular success.
The same rule applies for you as a team leader. Part of being a good manager is applauding your teammates for a job well done. If your team closes a deal or runs a meaningful program, praise them for it—publicly! “I just wanted to take a moment to thank So-and-so for navigating a sticky situation with grace and ease…” “Quick shoutout to my team, whose recent event was a smash hit…” This practice draws attention to your good work, with the added benefit of letting your colleagues know that you appreciate them. Such reminders lead to stronger connections and better working conditions, and when a team feels valued, they do their best work. It’s a win-win.
If All Else Fails, Make Some Noise
So, you’ve tried to be subtle. You’ve sent the emails, made the announcements, mentioned things in passing. You’ve even updated your LinkedIn, but the e-congratulations aren’t enough. It may be time for a frank conversation with your boss.
This is not an opportunity for a scorched earth, devil-may-care dressing down. It’s a chance for humility married with resolve. “I wanted to ask some questions about how you perceive the work I’m doing.” “I’ve been feeling a little underappreciated, and I wanted to get something off my chest so I can continue to focus on our priorities.” “My team and I have achieved some great successes, and I wanted to make sure they’re being adequately recognized for their hard work.”
None of these things is easy to say, and as with any conversation of this nature, it can be difficult not to feel like you’re whining or being conceited. Hear this: you are not. You should expect to be compensated for the job you do, and that compensation comes in many forms. None of us is working for free, and recognition is a vital way that our companies hold up their end of the deal. Remember, it’s your career on the line here, and you have every right to make it what you want it to be. So be loud. Speak up in humble, winsome ways. Look out for your team and get the recognition you deserve. And in the meantime, if you run into Mrs. Gendry, please tell her I did most of the slide show by myself.
Andrew Forrester is a writer whose work has appeared in Parents Magazine, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and elsewhere. Andrew also teaches English and creative writing in Austin, Texas, and has a Ph.D. in English literature from Southern Methodist University.
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