While it is good to share your knowledge of what you know as well as how to help others accomplish tasks in a more efficient manner, its always best to avoid being used. There is a line when co-workers go from “needing help” to “I forgot, well its ok, so and so will tell me again”. I’ve learned this the hard way as I let people know I “knew computers” and now I have gone from a sales person to a “my computer is broken and IT is busy, can you fix this” or while in a meeting a manager will say “well, i don’t know anything about that, [looks at you] what your take on it”.

All in all I agree to help people and without a doubt share knowledge, just be wary of those who accept it all to quickly.

I disagree with your point about being positive, however. I think being positive is appropriate for all situations, especially in the face of failing to meet a team goal or similar circumstances.

I’m with you on the “cheery” part, though. I think it’s appropriate to be positive in such situations, so long as you’re not coming across as Mary Poppins. No need for anyone to come to the table bringing a fake smile and a spoonful of sugar trying to cloak or minimize the impact of the setback.

People who claim credit for others people’s work always get caught.
Whether it be through official or non-official communications (office bantor and rumors) it will always get around and eventually to the brass when someone steals credit.

It’s also interesting how you bring up sharing knowledge. I’ve survived many layoff rounds and have seen people who thought they were indispencable only to be shocked when they get laid off.

I remember working with a marketing manager who could’ve done with heeding some of these points. He would take ages to reply to emails (unless you were his superior of course, in which case he’d drop whatever he was doing to reply – even if he was in the middle of talking to someone), he would constantly feel the need to talk, even if he knew nothing about the subject (which just made him look stupid), and he would always try and pass the blame for errors onto somebody else.

Something else I learnt from my time working with him would be to give credit where it’s due, rather than trying to pass off other people’s work/efforts as your own. It marks you out as somebody who recognises the team they are part of and appreciates the work others do, rather than just always trying to claim the glory for yourself.

Speak up!