Working with Talent in a Non-Competitive Environment, an editorial

PRODUCTIVE ENVIRONMENTS require relaxed, happy, willing, enthusiastic participation. That means that jealousy, resentment, stress, and rivalry don’t contribute. Competition has its place in the marketplace and, in fact, makes the marketplace (Let’s always hope it’s friendly.). But, when creating a product for a marketplace, whether within an office, a factory, a school, a sports team…or, in this case, in a group comprised of creative artists, competition and rivalry can become a very destructive force.

Willing, enthusiastic, voluntary participation — that’s what makes a group productive; it’s what makes a project successful. This is especially true when working with creative talent and genius — people whose temperaments tend toward volatile because creativity is spawned of passion and intellect moving inside an event horizon of inspiration. To get the kind of environment where the passion and intellect of many individuals can cooperate, then to nurture and cultivate that environment, requires everyone involved to realize their own unique, irreplaceable contribution to the group, the project, and the goals. That requires mutual admiration, respect, and, above all, trust — trust in the group and trust among the participants.

Naked Genius artists work in a non-competitive environment where each artist recognizes their own contribution as valuable. This is the inherent architecture of the group where the unique strengths of each participant — their abilities as artists, as intellects, and as individuals — is recognized, respected, and cherished. We know that each of us brings a wealth of talent and answers, ability and a balancing perspective to any project we tackle. It’s what makes this group great.

…And, of course, the occasional temper tantrum that is the harbinger of yet another great idea’s birth adds just the right amount of vinegar and spice to keep it interesting.

–D. L. Keur