Over the last several years I’ve become increasingly aware of exaggerated claims made by sundry individuals regarding their roles in what could fairly be called notable events.

Their stories are often of great interest, engaging and sometimes even fun. They just don’t always accurately portray contributions and participation.

Is such representation malicious or fanciful? Might it be driven by the need for self-aggrandizement?

We’ve all heard how this person’s boss took credit for that idea. Was it deliberate and contrived or an innocently distorted recollection of events? Perhaps it’s sometimes just the result of obscure perspective.

Certainly it often seems the more grand an accomplishment is, the more stunning the claims to invention, ownership or participation. Careful inspection of history has taught us to rightly ask questions:  who really invented flight, discovered America, or (say) created the lightbulb?

Similarly, what tangible contributions to mathematics did Laplace truly make in the body of work named for him? And what was Eigen’s role?

It seems it is the very nature of man to lay claims (or even sometimes simply have them fortuitously assigned to them) on the grand deeds and accomplishments of others.

I have been similarly victimized, too; who hasn’t? I’ve sat through accounts by others regarding my own starring roles wherein I barely received a mention; most puzzling and often infuriating.

Why would a person boldly make claim to the accomplishments of others, even in their presence?

Well, it’s unfortunately true there are undoubtedly some blatant liars in the world, though other false claimants merely seem to seek affirmation in acknowledgment and acclaim.

Perhaps in our current culture the risk of being caught in a lie is a lesser deterrent? And so the boldness of claims can often become more outrageous as the perceived rewards increase.

When a story is embellished without discovery it invariably grows in stature, delivery and detail when inevitably repeated. We do all love a grand tale.

Some say having others lay claim to your achievements is true flattery. Yet I’m sure many more feel devalued and cheated of their contributions in such situations.

As time moves on it is always those who remain or who are victorious that record the version of history they wish to be found.

Often time-travel might seem convenient to correct old misreports and (say, for example) ask William the Conqueror how the year 1066 really played out. But realistically, it is simply always the tale best promoted that stubbornly persists to become established history.

In the end it is the storytellers that build records. Facts and data fade away, often lost, while stories assume their own lives.

It’s rare that significant achievement rests unclaimed. So, don’t always be reluctant to tout your own important accomplishments. Remember, if you fail to promote yourself someone else just might steal that thunder.

Ian R. Mackintosh is the author of Empower Your Inner Manager Twitter @ianrmackintosh