Somewhere along the way I picked up a concept I continue to find useful and I am certain quite likely annoys others. It concerns recognition of those who are “the talent”. I think this is a phrase I first heard my son use. He works in video and the phrase refers to the actors/people who are in front of the camera rather than the people who are behind the camera. What I like about the phrase is that it identifies those who in the final analysis make something work. All contribute, but some support and some must deliver.
I thought it was an important perspective while I worked as an administrator and I think it is an important perspective in the work I do now developing and supporting the skills teachers rely on in engaging students with technology. Ideas have little value until put into practice.
Perhaps it is important to identify who is not “the talent”. Administrators are not the talent. Your “vision” (one of those words I hate) is only as good as the willingness and skills of those who actually do the work. Administrators are in a support role – find good people, find the resources they need, defend them when necessary, allow those who execute to be recognized for their accomplishments.
I think tech people need to take this same perspective. I do not care if you promote each other as rock stars or as one super hero or another. You too are support personnel. You are only successful when “the talent” executes.
The problem from my perspective is that those who must actually make ideas work are not in positions that are visible and find it difficult to self promote. Too often, those in support positions have better opportunities to promote themselves and each other. So, if you have time for promotion and believe it is necessary, perhaps it would be more productive to use some of this time and skills to promote “the talent”.