Work

How to Improve Your Credit Rating

The giving, getting, and taking of credit at work has its subtleties, says Judith Sills, Ph.D., and it's worth knowing how to navigate them well.

By Judith Sills, published on March 01, 2008 - last reviewed on August 19, 2009
  • Let someone else toot your horn. Credit is worth more when you receive it than it is when you take it.
  • If someone compliments you, ask him sweetly to put it in writing. Then keep an "atta boy" file of these positive statements.
  • If those written comments were not originally forwarded to your manager, pass them on with a quick, humble note. ("Wasn't this nice of George... ")
  • Take responsibility when things crash. No one wants to give credit to a person who dodges blame.
  • Don't let the credit snatchers get your goat. Watch your back for the next time and communicate your philosophical spirit to those above you: "I should have made certain that I kept you in the loop about the progress of my work."
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