How prolific is it at State Farm where superiors steal or take credit for a subordinates brilliant idea that saves the company xyz? I've witnessed this first hand many, many times. The first customer is always the employee. No wonder State Farm is going the way of the doe-doe.
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My advice is continue to make improvements that make your job easier or less stressful. Don't bother with anything that only benefits the mothership.
Absolutely! I have had numerous IA’s and Business Cases hijacked by my direct reports. One time I saved the company TENS OF THOUSANDS in one year and was given an On The Spot certificate and a $100 award (taxed of course). I saved the company even more than that amount, and embarrassment caused by a Third Party Vendor. All of my accomplishments were claimed by supervisors. When I asked a Manager about it, he stated, “ I’m not saying it’s ok. But it happens all the time.”
That right there is the freaking problem with this company. I too have voluntary saved the company many thousands of dollars and NOTHING but the run of the mill 2/2 has been given to me. That is why morale is so low. That is why no one trusts upper management or the hoard of useless analysts the company thinks are doing something.
I've always experienced leadership being good with highlighting the correct person. Being rewarded for your ideas however is an entirely different manner. I've personally saved this company over 10 million in provably avoidable costs and still get a "high" 2/2 and a big thank you from managers and directors.
My superior is going to be up a creek once I'm gone. His EPR was a mirror image of mine since he took credit for nearly everything I did and spun me as someone who helped him. I saw a list he made of his accomplishments which was filled with tasks that I was responsible for. I've been withholding ideas and projects the past few months and will continue to do it.
Leadership over my years have been uplifting at SF. There was one who was mean. As in didn't know how to talk to people - communicate. No one stole anyone's ideas though. Employees would make suggestions all the time and leadership would take it up the ladder to see if it could be implemented or not. Sorry you had a bad experience. My teams did not have a bad experience.
Yes, definitely the latter, and it's been like three in a row that have fit this description! Talk about the odds! Wow, what a great culture at the Farm.
This probably happens a lot at all sorts of companies. In general, there are two types of leaders: those who rise to the top because they have lifted up those beneath them, and those who clamber to the top on the dead bodies of their subordinates.
The former is always better. Sounds like you've encountered the latter.