Plagiarizers Welcomed!
"I think your idea to use my idea was a great idea." OurMindfulLife.com
Is anything original? Perhaps, but I believe, when it comes to leadership, I'm plagiarizing all day long. For clarity, Merriam-Webster defines plagiarize: to steal and pass off (the words or ideas of another) as one's own : use (another's production) without crediting the source. My wife Leslie, an artist, sees things in galleries, magazines, on the internet, and in nature which inspire her. I spout off sayings specific to leading, operating, and problem solving I learned or heard from another leader. Who's to say they where the originator of that art or leadership saying or practice?
I'd be honored if there were a leader out there emulating my leadership. He or she would not be guilty of stealing nor would I expect them to quote me or credit me as a source. 90 percent of my sayings, philosophies, and practices came from others before me. I've probably had only a handful of original ideas but even those ideas, I'm sure, came from someone or something I witnessed or experienced in my journey.
Indeed, it is wrong to copy the words of another without proper citation. I'm cautious of that in my writing. I use Shutterstock for my images and I properly cite work. While it may not be wrong or punishable to copy the art creation of another passing it off as one's own, it is bad manners. Leslie is careful with this in her art practice but again, her creativity was born in part from her experiences with things and people. Both of us create a ton of content. We don't cite people all day long but on occasion we will share where the idea came from. We can both look ourselves in the mirror.
Plagiarizing, copying, or imitating should not be a get in free pass. I learned of ChatGPT recently, an application which uses artificial intelligence to create. It blew my mind and turned my stomach at the same time. While I could see the value in researching and producing for a large project, it seemed like the easy wrong to me. The hard right is to do the creative work yourself. Engage in introspection and experience environments which inspire you. Work hard to get your creative juices flowing instead of a simple cut-and-paste.
We should not be stifled by the fact that many of our ideas came from something or someone else. If there is goodness in the end, especially for others, say it, do it, paint it, write it. The beauty of leadership is that we get to cherry pick the best of others to use when we take the mantle. It is supposed to be that way. Just know that those you emulate in word and deed emulated someone before them. Plagiarize away!
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell