You know what I hate most about working under an arrogant manager?  It’s not the self-righteous, I-know-what’s-best attitude that comes from reading a few business articles.  It’s not the everyone-should-work late attitude, irregardless of the fact if anything is actually getting done.  Hell, it’s not even the I-know-your-job-better-than-you, despite the fact that these managers have as much idea of what you do day-to-day as a bunny understands quantum physics.

It’s not that I like all these things arrogant managers tend to do.  There’s just one pet peeve I have and that is – glory stealing.

At the end of the day, what gives a manager the right to stand in front of a team meeting and pretend like a project is completely hers and hers alone.  Sure, she probably had a hand in the project.  She may have written the contract or gotten the resources or brought in donuts during Sunday overtime.  But she didn’t necessarily create the assets, market the project or (heaven forbid) get involved with the building process.  Even managers who are also designers don’t do all the work.  Behind every manager there’s a team, and if the team isn’t functioning, the project doesn’t get done.

So why should she get all the credit?

In my experience, great managers don’t do this.  Great managers give the team more than enough credit for a job well done.  They know it boosts morale, they know it helps foster a better overall team environment, and most of all, they know it’s not right to steal credit.

And the sad thing is, these arrogant managers don’t even realize the harm they create for themselves when they hog credit.  No one wants to work for someone who’s always stealing the glory.  People find new departments or whole new jobs where they’ll be appreciated.   Word of mouth travels and soon, the arrogant manager wonders why no one wants to work under her brilliant leadership.

So please, don’t be an arrogant manager.  Give credit where credit is due.  Remember, you’re just a part of the team, and usually, not even the defining member.

-Deborah Fike

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