Taking Credit through Collaboration

It nevers fails...whether I am in a meeting in the Pentagon or working on promotional materials for an upcoming VAP event, the topic of who gets credit for a decision or outcome always comes up.  It got me thinking today about humility and how leaders balance getting and giving credit, especially in an arts organization where creativity reigns and ideas tend to develop through collaboration.  As a manager and director, I am charged with defining the way forward for VAP which leads to thinking outside the box and coming up with a lot of ideas. On the other hand, I have to keep my ears open for all the fantastic ideas that VAP's staff bring to the organization and make it a point to implement these ideas into the decision-making process.

The collaboration of ideas in a creative environment can be the best thing for any group looking to be innovative and unique. It can also scare the hell out of artists who fear their role or idea may be watered down in the final presentation of the work.  As a performer and producer, I certainly understand the need to get credit where credit is due, but I do everything I can to collaborate (and give credit) when it means a bigger, better, and more powerful production.  

One thing I have found extremely important in building trust with our staff, members, and affliated artists is to go above and beyond in identifying who came up with the idea.  I never understand why people can't say "...it was Charlie's idea and we are going to run with it".  It is amazing how much tension and anxiety giving credit can difuse.  It requires trust in our peers and colleagues in knowing that they will do the same when our idea rises to the top.  It also allows for additional good ideas to enter the converstion and be included as part of the project.

One cool thing I have seen recently is the collaboration between like-minded organizations and I have had the pleasure of chatting with Jenny Bell from Graffiti of War (GoW, www.graffitiofwar.com).  While VAP is doing many of the same things as GoW and serves the same group of veterans looking to showcase their work, we have recognized that together we can make a bigger impact and are discovering that each organization has unique skillsets and perspectives that bring value to the community.  I applaud GoW for what they are doing for veteran artists and look forward to many projects in the future!