# Marginalization By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2024-02-09 Employment provides an interesting environment to observe how credit is sought, given, and withheld. People have different desires and needs for attention. Some like to operate in the shadows, others crave the limelight. Work can provide either. An interesting phenomenon is when the work of some is marginalized to aggrandize the work of another. Work is often the site of singular heroes. Whereas there is frequent discussion about the importance of teamwork, when accolades are given, the narrative tends to seek the individual. People remember the actor’s performance and gloss over those who wrote the script. This happens again and again. Most of the time, this isn’t egregious or intentional. People not on the stage seldom expect the light to shine brightly on them. But there is a certain context in which the marginalization of the value of one’s work becomes intolerable or at least irksome. It is sad and pathetic when the person in charge of an organization seeks validation by marginalizing the contributions of those at lower echelons. A “this was only successful because of me” mentality is tiresome in an adolescent and obnoxious in an adult. It is especially perplexing when it comes from a wealthy executive whose success implies capability. How much validation does a person need to feel good about oneself? An actor is only as good as the script; organizations marginalize great writers at their peril. #### Related Items [[Work]] [[Performance]] [[Perception]] [[Success]] [[Ego]] [[Frustration]] [[Power]]