As an introvert and a stuck-up perfectionist, group projects make me groan and roll my eyes skywards. To be frank, I rarely like the work of others. There is always something wrong with the way they do it; it could be the handwriting, the research process, or even a dangling preposition. But the introvert in me has never been able to tell people this. With the threat of an impending deadline, you can always find me staying up late re-doing everyone else’s work in order to align it with my high-and-mighty ideals of perfection.
But I know, perhaps better than anybody, that going solo or taking all the responsibility on yourself isn’t always an option, especially on big creative projects. In times of dire need, we all need a partner, or even an entire army, to realize our creative visions.
Unfortunately, looking for co-creators can be harder than looking for a life partner. And your co-creating relationship is perhaps even more sacrosanct than your marriage! (Not a joke)
To everybody with sweaty palms: don’t worry! While selecting a co-creator may be a delicate art, it isn’t insurmountable. Over the years, I’ve decided there are ways to avoid disasters and creative failures when working with others and I’m here to share my two cents on the subject.
Find Someone You Can Trust
Let’s start with the basic building block of any relationship: trust. If you don’t trust the people you’re working with, you’ll never reach your creative goals. If all your time is spent looking over your shoulder and wondering about the safety of your intellectual property, then the relationship is a complete waste of time and you might as well give up on getting any work done. Without trust, your mind won’t ever get to the creative zone needed to realize your project.
Next, make sure to look for a co-creator. This can only happen with mutual respect for all the people involved, as well as their respective work. You don’t want to be stuck in an unequal power dynamic. In order to have a good working relationship, you need to avoid any kind of imbalance resulting from a hierarchical structure. While aiming for a 0 power imbalance might seem unrealistic, it is something we must strive for if we want an easy-going partnership.
Find Someone Who’s Honest About Your Work
This might sound cliché, but another important aspect to keep in mind is honesty. Any relationship, especially a creative one, can’t flourish if the parties involved aren’t honest and forthcoming. If you’re producing crappy work, you’d rather know from your partner than the entire world. A good partner would never hold back criticism, no matter how harsh. And you should do the same for your partner. With an honest exchange of criticism, you’d have a better chance at improving your skills and achieving your creative goals.
Find Someone Who Challenges You
The last thing to keep in mind is that you should look for partners who complement both your creative work and your personality. Look for people who might be able to help you in areas that you lack. The monumental task of editing got you down? Look for editors with a different style or perspective who can help make your work better and life easier. Always be on the lookout for creative partners who can add something of value to your work and vice versa.
As for personalities, while it is comforting for an introvert to work with another introvert, it is not always a good idea. Working with someone who has a different personality-type as you can result in a better creative dynamic. There was a reason why Steve Jobs’ partner was Steve Wozniak. With their conflicting personalities, they both brought something different to the table. And I don’t have to tell you about the success of their company, do I?
Now, all you have to do is follow this small checklist before you commit to a co-creator. A word of advice: even while striving for an amicable partnership, you shouldn’t shy away from conflict. Creative differences will arise and sometimes you will end up fighting with your partner, but ultimately, conflict can strengthen your creative work. And while your creative journey may not be easy, it will definitely be smoother with a trustworthy, honest, respectful and thought-provoking partner by your side.
Where Do I Find This Perfect Person?
I know, you must be wondering where do I find a person like this?!
It may surprise you, but you don’t have to go to the ends of the Earth to find your perfect co-creator. There are, without a doubt, much more painless ways to find your ideal partner.
One of the easiest ways to find a co-creator from the comfort of your home is via Tongal’s Crew Finder Forum, where you can find collaborative partners who can help you in your creative endeavors. Simply write a post describing who you are and the kind of help you’re looking for! Once someone replies, you can continue the conversation via Direct Messaging.
If you like doing things old-school, then you can use my favorite method - in-person networking. Go out, attend conferences in your respective fields, and talk to as many people as you can and be sure to exchange business cards. Save all their information and keep in touch. This route gives you ample opportunity to judge the level of compatibility between you and the people you may want to work with. When the right project comes your way, don’t hesitate to contact them.
In the end, treat your creative relationships as you would your romantic relationships! Choose your darlings carefully, but most importantly, don't hesitate to experiment with different people until you find 'the one'. May your co-creating journey be fun and fulfilling!
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Note From Tongal: “How to Find the Perfect (Creative) Partner” is part of a series of Tongal Community-written blog posts that were originally sourced in the Tongal Blog Open Call Project. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Tongal. Read more Tongal Community-written posts here and then Pitch us a topic you'd like to write about for the Tongal Blog!
