"Hey, That's My Idea!" Why Protecting Your Ideas Requires More Than Being First

As the legendary racecar driver Ricky Bobby once said, "If you ain't first, you're last!" Couple of problems with that. First, Ricky Bobby doesn't exist, except in our hearts. Second, he's just wrong. If you're not first, you could be second, third, fourth or anywhere else in front of last place. But Ricky's misguided motto is not completely worthless. It's an opportunity for that most dreaded and reviled of all moments (if you are my kids): the teaching moment.

Ricky's guiding philosophy reveals a false belief held by many when it comes to their ideas — that being first is everything. If you have the idea first and move on it, there is an emotional but understandable belief that it belongs to you and that no one else should be allowed to copy you. It's just not true.