Are you taking credit for your work? Or do you say it’s no big deal?
Warren Buffett is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is widely considered the most successful investor of the 20th century. Buffett is the primary shareholder, chairman, and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.
The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business …
The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In an interview by Fortune magazine last week, Warren Buffett told a group of students that “women need to pursue more recognition for what they accomplish. He used Katherine Graham, former chairman and CEO of the Washington Post, as an example of a woman who’s stock multiplied, yet she never gained the confidence that came with success. Buffett found it peculiar when he saw Katherine Graham still feeling uncomfortable, despite all her accomplishments.
And yet, I don’t find it peculiar at all because I struggle with this everyday. I remember graduating valedictorian of my high school, receiving a full scholarship to college, and still feeling like I hadn’t accomplished enough. While everyone else was bragging about their graduation, I couldn’t, and really didn’t. Few people know I graduated as Valedictorian of my high school to this date.
I have improved a bit since my 18 year old self, but I am definitely not as confident as I should be. In college, I finished both my bachelor’s and master’s in 4 years, and I’m about to finish my MBA, and I still don’t brag about it. I should right? I see other people bragging…specifically men about their alma mater.
What’s happening at work? Am I taking credit when I should? Sometimes, but most times, I don’t. See, I’m the type of person who sees accomplishments and success as mandatory, not exceptional service. I see men praise their work, and all I see is “okay, you accomplished your goal, but you did not over-accomplish it.” In my head, there is no reason to feel a sense of glory when you just “accomplished” what you were suppose to accomplish.
It’s a problem. I already see where this mentality hurts women.
On Friday, I spoke with a female manager about handling “over-confident” men at meetings, and how the men in our industry view women. She has many years of experience, and basically told me it’s a hard world in the telecommunications industry. The industry is dominated by men, especially in senior leadership positions. And men do not take women seriously. Her words not mine. Although I have seen this behavior in our company. She mentioned at her point in her career, the last thing she wants to do is cause waves. She is just keeping quite, maintaining her job. She’s comfortable, and she admits to being okay with that.
But I’m just beginning in my career. I know I don’t want to cause waves, but I’m quite rebellious, which means I will cause waves.
I already know I’m not taking enough credit for my work. What next? What do I need to do to take credit for it? This change doesn’t happen overnight. What I can do is increase my confidence.
I pledge to be a strong, confident woman.
Are you taking credit for your accomplishments?