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A couple of years ago a friend posted a link to an article, where the author argued that when someone picks your brain, it should be at a fee.
I naively argued against it. Ideas are to be shared, how else do you evolve, and all that open-source defense that I love to spout. However, soon after I started dwelling deeper into that thought, into that argument—in my mind.
I am all for helping people along, linking up contacts, helping others network, and I seek help ever so often too.
What I don’t do however is ‘pick’ someone brains to monetise their ideas. Or pick the brains of someone who gives the advice out on a professional basis. You know what I mean? Ask a doctor to for free diagnosis, or an editor for free rewrites (unless I am married to him), or a recruitment agent for free placement tips, or a trainer for a free session…
This post might draw a lot of ‘is she talking about me?’, ‘oh what a *****’ etc. Well if you think it’s about you, it could well be. Or not.
You must draw the line; differentiate between exchange of ideas and poaching them; differentiate between help and consultation.
I’ve learnt to be evasive: ‘I am busy now… I don’t have that information’; but am unable to tell someone: “Sure. And this is how I bill for my services.’
I earn my keep at work for my ideas, concepts and content. I am paid to share and enhance ideas with my colleagues. But I see increasingly that I am asked by people I hardly know to extend that service to them, because we are ‘friendly’. Ok I am no Jobs or Zuckerberg, but that doesn’t mean I value my brains any less.
I still have no objection to being a networking conduit, but am definitely no longer pleased to have my brains picked. Especially since I’ve realised that good ideas or inputs that are given for free may have value, but the person who gives it is taken for an idiot.
It is only of late that I appreciate what I bring to the table–I no longer treat it as ‘what’s the big deal’, because it is. For me. And only by putting a value on those inputs can I make that clear.
PS: My friends can pick my brains all they want. Fortunately, my circle is small and tight.
Interesting
) As a freelance writer, I see that some people tend to take freelance content writers for granted and delay making payments that have been outright discussed, let alone paying for things that have not been discussed – when it comes to paying money, people would rather sign up for a root canal instead.
that’s a whole different thing from picking your brain. it’s picking your pockets. nag, nag, nag till you get paid.
I have subbed/written so much stuff for free it’s not funny. From PhD theses to official letters to MBA assignments and speeches I’ve done it all, with no one bothering to wonder about my payment. OC gaajee all
you should take it back in kind. i am good at giving out advice, need to implement it in my life too.
Good one Vani …
“You must draw the line; differentiate between exchange of ideas and poaching them; differentiate between help and consultation.” So totally true!
You know something? I think we are kind of poacher aids; by that subtle lack of respect we have for our own ideas. Funny…because we recognize that capability in others. When we see them take ahold of an idea and confidently place a value on it, we pay up without hesitation! We even know what to call such people; Entrepreneurs..right?
But when it comes to us i think we use a different set of rules and serious idea poachers know that – that’s probably what gives them that sense of imperial-ish entitlement
! Maybe its time for us to audit these folk in our lives and cancel those who have become sort of, bad debts.
So, here’s to building up a healthy sense of respect for our ideas and our output/s and developing an audacious sense of worth!
You remind me when I forget this..and I will remind you, when you do!
Deal?!
need to discuss this over some bubbly
Good to see you back to blogging
good to have been missed. thank you