Monday, November 05, 2012

Safeguarding Ideas

Some safeguard ideas. They hold the ideas captive and share those ideas with only those they deem worthy. Even if their ideas will make a difference for an organization or a child's life, they keep the ideas hidden putting their ambition before an organization's mission.

Some take other's ideas without credit. Rather than acknowledging the time and effort of colleagues and collaborators, they lurk in social media reading the ideas of others and then using the ideas as their own without credit.

Some negate other's ideas. Without an open mind, they are quick to defeat an idea without giving that idea deep thought or analysis, they negate the idea because it wasn't their own or it came from a person that they feel is not on par with them with regard to position or place.

The way ideas are shared, credited, analyzed and developed impact an organization greatly. When people timidly read ideas, take them without credit or safeguard without sharing, they hinder an organization's forward movement and potential.

Perhaps, I'm naive, but I've profited from the transparent sharing of so many wonderful educators both in my work place and online.  I know the strength that sharing ideas in transparent, honest ways brings to an organization.  Hence, when I come in contact with an individual or group that lurks endlessly, never commenting or crediting the source, I'm dismayed.  Are you?