An on-going blog to create debate and perhaps raise some awkward questions on the seven subjects discussed in Jon Steel’s video.
Topic 2. Bring out the best in other people. Claiming an idea could encourage resentment or jealousy.
While no-one in their right mind could disagree with the idea of bringing out the best in other people, the second thought – claiming an idea could encourage resentment or jealousy – raises some issues.
The best creative teams in the world are handsomely rewarded for their ideas, and rightly so. They sit down with blank sheets and create the work that keeps an agency in business by helping clients’ businesses. But they didn’t all achieve their salary levels by not claiming authorship of their ideas.
It’s a well-worn phrase that says success has many parents but failure is an orphan child. And the same is true for great ideas. No wonder we have copyright laws (although strictly speaking only the specific form of an idea, not ideas in general, can be copyrighted – but you get the point).
So why shouldn’t account planners get credit for their ideas? Isn’t it great when your idea gets acknowledged, you get a pat on the back and you feel energized to come up with another one? And doesn’t it feel a tad frustrating when someone takes ownership of your idea with not even a nod in your direction?
As a planning department head I wanted to try and catch someone doing something well and reward them in some way, so they didn’t feel taken for granted. By rewarding someone for a great idea and a job well done, I thought that was bringing out the best in other people.
Today we are encouraged to develop our own personal brands, which will be created through a series of impressions. Credit where credit is due can certainly help with those impressions.