Becoming part of a new team

[jeremiahjones4]

Jocko, when a person is part of a new team and is trying to give credit to a team member to the boss, what is the right balance of giving too much credit and not including yourself in the credit to where your boss is thinking you are not doing the work?

[mynewunit]

Credit and praise are tools. The team leader may be using "credit" in an intentional way. When I give credit to people, it doesn't mean that the other team members are less responsible. Sometimes on a project, one person goes outside their comfort zone, expertise, normal work load/hours. That "credit" might be serving a different purpose.
First, look at the team members. Know how they respond. Look at the team leader. Are they a good leader? Can you communicate with them in private? A good leader will share all their thinking behind their actions as long as they know they are in confidence. If you can be trusted with his diabolical plan and insights he will probably share them with you.
Second, make your work "undeniable". If your work is of exceptional quality, it may get credit. Or you could ask what you would have to do to get talked up in front of the boss.
Beware Ego. Ego is the Enemy. Do you want credit to feed your ego? Do you want external validation? Can you get it somewhere else?