It's interesting when you read in the news that an artist and a manager or and artist and a producer part ways because of "creative differences."
Typically an artist will have a vision for what he wants the end product to look like and everyone around him needs to at least be in the same book, if not on the same page.
I have no experience in that world, but my gut tells that that like corporate America, there are outside forces at work (the label, corporate execs, fan expectations) that may influence how that artist's visions changes over time.
But the bottom line is that there will be differences of opinion- it's just a matter of how wide the gap becomes between the artist and the contributors that matter most.
You have to wonder how many of these creative differences exist, yet are stifled in large organizations because of the fear of challenging authority- or worse yet, the authority refusing to believe that they are wrong.
As a consultant, you think that you have license to provide your direct and honest opinion, but is that really true when it's the client that is paying your fees?
It really depends on what type of client you are working with.
It's the same as being a corporate employee. Does it make sense to ask why you are taking on such an ambitious project that seems all wrong when it's your boss that controls your performance ratings and employment?
Corporate America would be a much better place if a leader or two (or three or four) would just admit that some things are going in the wrong direction and it's time to pivot - apologies for the Lean Startup lingo.
If we were right all the time, we'd be perfect -- and nobody's perfect.
Typically an artist will have a vision for what he wants the end product to look like and everyone around him needs to at least be in the same book, if not on the same page.
I have no experience in that world, but my gut tells that that like corporate America, there are outside forces at work (the label, corporate execs, fan expectations) that may influence how that artist's visions changes over time.
But the bottom line is that there will be differences of opinion- it's just a matter of how wide the gap becomes between the artist and the contributors that matter most.
You have to wonder how many of these creative differences exist, yet are stifled in large organizations because of the fear of challenging authority- or worse yet, the authority refusing to believe that they are wrong.
As a consultant, you think that you have license to provide your direct and honest opinion, but is that really true when it's the client that is paying your fees?
It really depends on what type of client you are working with.
It's the same as being a corporate employee. Does it make sense to ask why you are taking on such an ambitious project that seems all wrong when it's your boss that controls your performance ratings and employment?
Corporate America would be a much better place if a leader or two (or three or four) would just admit that some things are going in the wrong direction and it's time to pivot - apologies for the Lean Startup lingo.
If we were right all the time, we'd be perfect -- and nobody's perfect.
I tend to go with the following approach. Is it right, maybe not, but it is one that I have tried to be consistent. So, here it is, very simply put...I am a consultant, an outsider coming in because someone in a position of some authority has determined that I ( or my firm) can assist in adding value. Given that, I am not here to be a "yes man", or here to restate what has already been stated, or try what has already been tried. I am a fresh perspective, an attempt at bringing something new to the table. In the end, it is my client's decision as to what approach is executed. BUT...My approach is to to do my due diligence to bring thought leadership and perspective based on my knowledge and past experiences to allow my client to make a more informed decision. That's not to say that my ideas or solutions are always correct, because that is certainly not always the case. My goal is not to be right all the time, but to have a better shot at being right the next time by learning from both my failures and my successes.
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