Reclaiming Credit at Work – Feminist Leadership in Action

Originally written in 2020. Sharing now to reflect on feminist leadership, strategic influence, and what it means to reclaim your own voice at work.

The other day, I was in my HR Business Partners' office doing a quick sync with her and our General Manager. The GM was sharing that his boss — a new director — would be visiting soon, and wanted to see proactive strategies for reducing workers’ compensation costs.

I thought for a second and said:

“What about this position, this one, and that one? They’re all light duty. I could have my team run a JHA and create a process path. That way we’d have documentation to support onsite accommodations for injured workers.”

He lit up.

“Yes! That’s excellent!” he said, and then started spinning on how to expand and evolve the idea. Then he smiled wide and said:

“That’s a great idea! I added value today. I can go home now.”

There was a pause. And inside, I was screaming.

✊ Be Your Own Feminist Friend

I could hear Dr. Cori Wong in my head saying: “Be your own feminist friend.” So I took a breath and risked being visible.

“Weren’t those my ideas? So really… I added value today.”

Awkward laughter. But I didn’t stop there.

🧠 Bridge the Gap, Still Take Credit

I’ve learned that when I “call someone out” — even subversively — it helps to ask for help next. Maybe it soothes the white man’s ego. Maybe it doesn’t. But what I’ve found is that it keeps us all on the same team and opens up space to move forward with mutual respect.

“I don’t have access to our WC costs. Is that something I could review with you?”

He agreed enthusiastically. I offered to walk him through our open cases in return. That, too, was well received.

🙌 Reclaiming Credit at Work - What I Gained

Blueprint-style image reinforcing concepts from this section

A chance to assert credit without ego
A new channel to expand my business acumen
A stronger partnership with my GM
And most importantly, I was my own feminist friend

The company still wins. But so do I. I reclaim credit for my own work.

📊 Bonus Lesson:

Track the Impact

You better believe I’m going to:

Quantify the results
Tie the outcomes back to this strategy
Show the business value of this idea in real dollars

Because yes — data is powerful.

And yes — it was my idea.

2025 Reflection:

I’ve had many moments like this since—but this was one of the first where I consciously chose to balance voice with strategy. I wasn’t just calling something out—I was building something. That’s what feminist leadership means to me now: showing up with courage, clarity, and collaboration.

Wait, Wasn’t That My Idea? Reclaiming Credit at Work