Please help me to answer the coworker below:

Credit where credit is due: You are preparing for the weekly team meeting where each team member shares a new idea they have been working on that week. Your coworker Jim presents a very innovative idea that everyone is impressed with, everyone but YOU! Because it was YOUR idea! You think maybe it was not truly your idea because you did not present it. However you thought of it and spent a great deal of time and effort researching and developing it. You want to tell your team and boss that it was your idea but you do not want to make things uncomfortable between you and Jim. What do you do?

This type of situation needs to be handled as delicately as possible to avoid any tension with Jim while also ensuring that I receive recognition for my idea. I would first make sure it is 100% my idea that Jim presented to our team by checking any possible notes, emails, or other evidence I have that supports that it was my idea. I would then approach Jim privately instead of confronting him in front of the team and our boss. Having a private conversation without any distractions is probably the best approach. I'd frame the conversation in a collaborative and non-confrontational way by expressing my appreciation for his presentation and innovative idea. This way it sets a positive tone for the conversation. I would share my perspective on how I have been working on a similar idea, researched it, and all the time and effort I invested in developing the idea while avoiding blame and accusations that he stole my idea. Since we both have an interest in this idea, I'd propose working together to refine and implement it to at least acknowledge Jim's contribution. Of course, most professionally, I would mention that I would want recognition for my initial work on this idea and see if Jim would be comfortable with this. There's no way to know if Jim was aware that he stole my idea so I would want to find a solution that allows both of us to feel acknowledged. The goal is to maintain a positive working relationship with Jim so I would lastly speak to my boss privately to let my boss know that we resolved this matter.

Reference:

How to respond when someone takes credit for your work (with tips) - indeed. Indeed. (2022, June 24). https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-respond-when-someone-takes-credit-for-your-work