Invisible man

I've watched the debate about where IC sits with interest. I've worked within HR, Quality, PR and Marketing and found it didn't make an iota of difference.  I still needed to influence areas other than the one in which I worked. Which leads me to another thought.

Do we influence openly in a directive way or subliminally in a more consultative way? If the latter (which I aim to do) how do we obtain credit for our work?  This week I was discussing with HR and Ops managers about a cross-functional team I'd established to help coordinate communication priorities.  Everyone was interested, so much so that the HR director said that he now needed to lead the group. In my head I thought "breakthrough!", but some colleagues later commiserated with me on my 'demotion'. I had lead this high profile group and it had now been hijacked by the business who were to do good and great things. I personally saw it as a major success and am moving onto my next goal which is to get the business to rationalise the rewards and recognition programme.  No rest for the wicked!