"Stealing My Thunder? Enjoy the Storm!"

"Stealing My Thunder? Enjoy the Storm!"

You know that moment when the light bulb above your head isn’t just metaphorical, but a full-on LED spotlight of genius? You share your brilliant idea, basking in the glow of admiration—only to hear someone else present your masterpiece at the next meeting as if they discovered fire itself. Oh, the audacity. The betrayal. The immediate need for snacks to soothe your soul.

Welcome to the club of intellectual theft survivors. Grab a chair, a cookie, and let me walk you through this emotional rollercoaster.

Stage 1: Denial (Did They Really Just Say That?)

It starts innocently enough. You’re sitting in the meeting, sipping your overpriced latte, when the thief opens their mouth. At first, you think, Oh, what a coincidence! They had the same idea.

Then it dawns on you. No, they didn’t just have the same idea. They had your idea, down to the last clever pun. And you’re left staring at them, latte forgotten, as your brain screams, How dare you?!

Stage 2: Rage (A.K.A. The “How to Frame Them for a Crime” Phase)

The rage is swift and blinding. Visions of office sabotage flood your mind. Accidentally “replying all” to expose their theft? Tempting. Casually pointing out in front of the CEO, “Oh, so glad you loved the idea I shared last week,” with a smile that says, I know what you did? Delightful.

Of course, we’re professionals here. So instead, you sit quietly, plotting their downfall while doodling little angry faces in your notebook.

Stage 3: Bargaining (Let’s Try Diplomacy!)

Maybe, just maybe, this was an honest mistake. You could approach them, right? A light-hearted, “Hey, funny story—you basically pitched my idea. Crazy coincidence, huh?” might nudge them toward confessing.

But what if they double down? What if they say, “Oh, did you mention that? I must have forgotten!” And now you’re stuck nodding along, pretending not to notice the smug glint in their eyes. At this point, diplomacy feels like hugging a cactus.

Stage 4: Acceptance (Sort of)

Eventually, you realize that throwing office supplies at their head isn’t an option. Instead, you channel your inner zen master. You accept the sad reality that some people are magpies, snatching shiny things that don’t belong to them. Fine. Let them have this one.

But you? You’re the idea machine. You’re the Tesla of brainstorming, churning out innovations faster than they can steal them. One stolen idea won’t stop you. Besides, they can take the recipe, but they’ll never cook it like you.

Stage 5: Revenge (Kidding. Sort of.)

Here’s where things get fun. The next time you have an idea, sprinkle in a few booby traps. Plant a suggestion so absurd—like merging break room snacks with team-building exercises by launching a “Competitive Office Potluck Olympics”—that if they steal it, they’ll look like a fool.

Or, save your best ideas for the grand stage: a presentation, a public forum, or that one-on-one with the boss. Watch their face turn shades of regret when they realize you’ve outplayed them.

How to Rise Above (Without the Petty)

Ultimately, intellectual theft is a compliment in a really twisted way. They stole your idea because it was that good. So, what do you do? Keep being brilliant. Document your genius—emails, meeting notes, carrier pigeons, whatever works. Speak up louder, and make your mark undeniable.

And if all else fails, comfort yourself with the undeniable truth: They may take your ideas, but they’ll never have your unique flair, your brainpower, or your ability to plot elaborate revenge scenarios involving potluck desserts.

Remember, my friend, when it comes to ideas, you’re a fountain, and they’re just thirsty. So keep pouring. Eventually, they’ll drown in your brilliance.

Juhi Santani, RDI

Retail Identity Design l F&B l QSRs l Fashion Design Strategy, Masterclass in Design | Public Speaking | CEPT University l Goldman Sachs 10000 Women | Stanford Seed Tranformation Program 2025

2w

Still hurts, na!?

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Dr Sonam Mahajan

PhD Mass Communication | Trained 2000+ Students | Lead Strategist, The Contentt Canvas | Guided 25+ Women Entrepreneurs | Ex LPU | Ex AUUP | Ex ITG

2w

Interesting way to give a lesson

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