Chapter 1

The Boss Who Holds You Back

The Problem

You’ve been quietly showing your boss the ropes for a long time. He relies on you heavily for help with everything from interpreting monthly reports to sizing up market demand to placating cranky stakeholders. Yet only his name appears on the e-mails that update higher-ups on your projects. You feel like the stagehand behind the curtain—you’re running the show, but he’s the one out front, taking a prolonged bow.

Why It Happens

When the person who should be your organizational guide and cheerleader keeps your smart contributions under wraps, of course you don’t feel valued. Even if he’s not intentionally undermining you or holding you back, it’s hard to stay motivated—after all, you know your ...

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