The Teacher As Collaborator: Guest Post by Jack Mangan
I am excited to share this guest blog post by Jack Mangan. Make sure to check out my interview with Jack Mangan. As we spoke about his writing and podcasting career, we realized that the theme throughout was collaboration. This is especially powerful this week since my interview with Kristy Sumner, a paranormal investigator, was also partially about how Kristy collaborates with her sisters, etc. to run her company, Soul Sisters Paranormal.
Enjoy Jack’s clever, well crafted piece about the art of working together.
Works Well With Others
By Jack Mangan
https://www.amievil-graphicnovel.com/
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/am-i-evil-the-graphic-novel/x/24081795
“Everything is awesome when you’re part of a team. ”
Official definition of collaboration:
Col·lab·o·ra·tion /kəˌlabəˈrāSH(ə)n/
Noun: The action of working with someone to produce or create something.
Actual definition for some:
You’ll need to take on a back-breaking amount of extra work because no one else on the team is going to a thing.
Actual definition for others:
A chance to slack by and get full credit, because some other go-getter will do all of the hard stuff.
The real definition:
Collaboration means sacrificing your brilliant inspirations to allow room for your colleagues/classmates’ stupid ideas, so their precious feeling aren’t hurt.
Well no. . . that’s not exactly true either.
Collaboration does mean compromise, among other things, but it also allows for a great number of benefits and even greater potential for your project. No matter how individualistic the artist, worker, or student is, everyone should participate in some kind of team project. At some point. Once or many times. It’s an opportunity for inspiration, a rejuvenating change of pace, and even some fun. You will absolutely learn something and improve yourself, regardless of whether your teammates are all-stars or if they’re Charlie Brown’s baseball team.
“All right, sweethearts, you’re a team and there’s nothin’ to worry about. We come here, and we gonna conquer, and we gonna kick some, is that understood?”
An incomplete list of best practices for your successful, rewarding collaboration:
Put in the solo training/practice time to hone your skills. John, Paul, George, and Ringo had to spend those childhood hours listening to records and playing their instruments alone before they could come together and release “Please Please Me.”
Find the right people to work with; find the best ways to get along with them and get the job done. Poor chemistry, resentments, and personality clashes almost always lead to garbage output (Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” is a notable exception) - - and always lead to misery for everyone involved (see Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.”).
Know when to fold ‘em (Not a Pink Floyd reference). Sometimes someone else is right. Sometimes you’re wrong. Be open-minded. Give their ideas a chance.
Know when to hold ‘em. Don’t let anyone else bulldoze your idea. Make sure that everyone at least sees it implemented to the full extent of your vision. Then if the team still decides to nix your idea, accept it.
Know when to run. See “Find the right people to work with.”
Honey, not vinegar (Not a Kenny Rogers reference). Yes, you have a serious task to accomplish together, but it’s also a social situation. Have fun with these people, make the effort to get along and be civil. At the very least, be civil. Tolerate the ones you dislike. If that’s impossible (some people and personality combinations are toxic; I get it), then maybe you need to seek an authority who can mediate or do some personnel reassignments.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends. Even when a team captain is assigned, every project has opportunities for every participant to step up and be a leader. This is a great skill to have.
“I’m putting together a team. People with special abilities.”
I’ve been the solo sole creator on a small-number of well-received endeavors, as well as a role-player on a number of different teams. I’m currently the head writer on a graphic novel project, working with a team of artists. The comic is based on the story in the song, “Am I Evil?” written by Diamond Head and made into a stadium anthem by Metallica. I have the permission of the original songwriters to make this, so while they’re not active participants on the comics team, I’m still beholden to their original vision, as well as my active collaborators.
Our team has run into all kinds of conflicts of expectations, budgets, schedules, frustrations, creative difference - - you name it. But we’re in the process of making something amazing. It’s been a fantastic enterprise of growth, learning, camaraderie, and creativity. This experience improves my skills for the solo works I’ll continue to create, and levels me up for the next collaborative opportunity that comes my way.
I can’t wait.