Have you ever had an idea ignored when you presented it, then applauded when a colleague made the same suggestion two minutes later? If this sounds familiar, I can guarantee you are not alone in your frustration. In fact, this is one of the most common problems participants in my Women in Leadership courses report. No, it’s not caused by flawed communication habits or self-sabotage.

Let’s be clear: idea theft is an insidious workplace behaviour. And it impacts female professionals far more often than their male counterparts. Now, there have been many studies into why this happens. But understanding the problem won’t necessarily help you stop idea thieves taking the credit you deserve. So, let’s focus on a different question. How do you head idea thieves off at the pass? After working with thousands of successful women, I’ve found three simple strategies that will help you protect your ideas.

Prime your audience to listen

Priming signals that what you are about to say is important. It’s like holding up a big sign with the words ‘Pay Attention!’ written across it. When done well, it creates a sense of anticipation and makes your audience eager to listen. And it’s surprisingly easy to do. Just say something along the lines of, “I’ve been investigating how to solve the problem of xyz.” This makes it very clear that YOU have done the work.

Map out your argument visually

Remember that ideas stick when they are presented visually as well as verbally. Use documents, diagrams and whiteboard sketches to get your point across. This ensures that your ideas are not only heard, but also seen and understood by everyone in the room. Don’t forget to put your name on your diagram you’re using a document. This simple act is a powerful declaration, stating, “this is my idea and I stand by it.”

End with a call to action

Never leave an idea hanging. Instead, end your suggestion with a clear call to action. Make it clear that you’re not just talking, you’re making a proposal. Use phrases like, “To move my proposal forward, I now need you to do a, b, and c.” This subtle shift in the power dynamic means others are compelled to act on your idea instead of appropriating it.

So there you have it. If you’re tired of having your ideas swiped, stop complaining about it. Use these three steps to firmly establish yourself as a thought-leader. One who has the confidence and assertiveness to claim ownership of their ideas. Keep priming your audience, mapping out your arguments and ending with a call to action. Soon you’ll see a noticeable difference in how your ideas are received and credited.

This article was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer and success coach. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference.  Since discovering her passion for training and development, Eleanor has trained more than 60,000 people. She delivers face-to-face workshops for corporates, online masterclasses for leaders and Positive Psychology retreats for trainers, HR practitioners and leaders.