If you want their input, you’ll need to ask. If you stop asking, they’ll stop contributing.
If you ask, you better consider their input. If you’re not really going to use their input, it’s better not to even ask.
Know that they’ll be emotionally attached to what they create. So, if you decide not to use their creation, you’ll have to process that appropriately and not abruptly.
Serving at Mosaic, I put down some thoughts on the subject in a post called “Managing the Creative Beast.” Here a couple of thoughts to add to Tony’s:
As leaders we aren’t supposed to be the most creative people within our organization. We are to be the equippers of others way more talented than we are (Eph. 4:11-13).
At Mosaic, our volunteer staff process creates the opportunities for spiritual mentoring and character development essential to avoiding the “talent trap.” Too often, as leaders we slip into valuing talent over character. In the end this hurts our community and the person we have recruited prematurely.
The post includes a video of what not to do as well. 🙂
What are some of your ideas on serving and leading creatives?
Starting this Sunday, we begin a new series at Mosaic called “Dear Los Angeles….” A city filled with so much creativity, diversity, uniqueness, and influence. How will we use our strengths? Will we use our “powers” for good or for evil?
If you are in the L.A. area, join us at Mosaic in Pasadena (9:30am & 11:15am), Whittier (9am & 11am), Beverly Hills (11:15am), and Downtown at the Mayan (7pm only during the summer).
Dr. Sample says, “I believe L.A. is the capital of the Pacific Rim because of a unique and powerful convergence of three remarkable strengths:
first, our strength and breadth in business and commerce, especially in pioneering businesses, and in our premiere business – the global communications revolution;
second, extraordinary creativity, including exceptional levels of intellectual capital; and
third, unprecedented ethnic diversity and the interpenetration of cultures.
L.A. brings these three strengths together to an extent that is unprecedented in history, and we embody them more fully than any other city on the Pacific Rim.”
Some other fascinating comments included:
Los Angeles County “is the world’s 18th largest economy,” the “nation’s busiest trade center,” and that “manufacturing capital of America.”
Los Angeles “has more practicing artists than any other city in the world.” L.A.’s creativity “includes the arts as well as science and technology.”
Barbara Kruger was quoted as saying: “If most American cities are about the consumption of culture, Los Angeles and New York are about the production of culture – not only national culture but global culture.”
“Los Angeles County today comprises 10.4 million people…. Within this massive population there are over 120 different cultures, 96 cradle languages, 600 different religious groups; 49 foreign-language publications, and hundreds of foreign-language radio and TV stations.”
“The consul general of Israel… called Los Angeles ‘something of a miracle.’ He wrote: ‘Coming from the Middle East, where ethnic divisions have paralyzed us, I am in awe of the positive cross-cultural interaction between the people of Los Angeles. At the end of the day, you see millions of people from every background imaginable living side by side, working together and forging a future under the bright California sun.'”
“The world is coming together in L.A. In our age of global interconnectedness, where we must seek understanding, foster communication and innovation, trade ideas and goods, break down barriers of nationality and ethnicity, and welcome the explorers and rainmakers that are crucial to our collective future, what better place to be than here, in the City of Angels, in the Capital of the Pacific Rim.”
I love L.A.! We have lots of shortcomings too, but I am grateful to be here!
What are the unique traits of your city? Does your business, church, or organization share some of the same traits? For demographics try www.city-data.com.
A friend of mine sent me a great article about the influence of Los Angeles.