Denise Brouillette

You're a quiet but outstanding performer. The person you work with has the brain of a small dog, yet they're on the rise. How is that happening? Because they know how to get people on their side, often at someone else's expense (yours?).

Smooth talkers are adept at finding situations where they can shine. They're also street savvy; they've learned how to use the right words at the right time to get the right people on board with them. They take your ideas and those of a few select others, use them as their own, and in doing so, parlay their way to stardom.

I witnessed someone in a meeting the other day who spoke immediately after people on her team had tossed out good ideas or problem solutions. She'd say something like, “Yeah, we were just talking about that and I said we should bring it up here, with all of you, so that we could get things going in the right direction now.” Or she'd add something on the end of a team mate's pitch that made it sound like she'd been the one with the brilliant suggestion.

3 things you can do when you find yourself working with someone like this.

1. Expect this behavior from this individual and be ready for it. Don't get caught with nothing to say back when they take credit for your thoughts, ideas and your work.

2. When you put your idea or solution out on the table, you can say, “Here's my take on (or my solution for) that problem.” In other words, own what you say with the word “my.” And don't be shy about emphasizing the word “my.”

3. When the smooth talker who's trying to own your idea comes back with, “Yeah, we were just talking about that and I said we should bring it up here, with all of you, so that we could get things going in the right direction now,” your response should be immediate, “And here's how I believe I (or we) could do that.” Say it strongly, but without tension or defensiveness. In other words, hold your own. Keep your voice alive and your value apparent. These days everyone needs to pay attention to that.