Vogue Williams

I do feel bad writing this, so I probably deep down know I am the asshole, but I'm obsessed with the podcast, and part of me hopes you'll turn around and say I'm not.

I work in a fairly competitive office where visibility really matters.

A few months ago, a colleague, shall we call him Bob, casually mentioned an idea at the pub after work when we went for a drink.

It was half-formed.

Not fully thought through and everyone kind of glossed over it and moved on.

After that, I couldn't stop thinking about the idea.

I thought it really had wings, so I developed it properly in my own time.

I fleshed it out, put together a proposal and eventually pitching it to management as part of a wider strategy I was presenting.

I didn't say that it was my idea, but I also didn't say it wasn't.

And I didn't mention Bob.

Management loved it.

I've since been praised for being innovative and forward thinking.

And the idea is going to be rolled out.

I've now a massive gold star next to my name going into annual review and pay rise season.

The problem is Bob has gone very quiet with me.

I've since heard through someone else that he thinks I stole his idea.

From Bob's point of view, I can see why, but at the same time, they didn't do anything with the idea.

They weren't proactive, and if I hadn't done the work to build on it, nothing would have come of it.

Now I'm stuck.

If I correct the record, it could undermine me, a potential pay rise, and make things awkward with management.