It's a mistake to fret when your idea is pilfered

by Ron Allan

Marketing Communications

September 2006

You've probably had the dismaying experience of someone adopting an idea that you've advocated, perhaps for years, pushing it forward with no mention of your name. Don't take it amiss. Here's why.

Ron Allan

It takes an enormous amount of cunning, street smarts, misdirection and proselytizing to bring about positive change in an institution of higher education. Co-option of your ideas is an indication that you are making progress.

You can accomplish so much more, and so much more easily, if you don't care who gets the credit. At my institution we have a saying: When you hear your own ideas coming back as someone else's, it means you are about to get your way.

Keep in mind that university communities are like small towns. Everybody knows everyone else's business. The people you care about will know exactly whose brain was behind the innovation. You'll even be rewarded in subtle but very satisfying ways eventually. It will likely be much easier to get your next idea implemented. You might even get credit for it.

Ron Allan is assistant to the dean for research and data services at Georgetown University. Reach him at allanr@Georgetown.edu.