Stop While You’re Ahead?
Have you heard of the one-hit wonders? They’re the songwriters, composers, or authors who produce stellar works on their very first attempt—but they struggle to continue to reproduce the same caliber of work afterwards. While it may seem counterintuitive, this is a true phenomenon which, once understood, can help you or your team avoid this creative pitfall. Stop While You’re Ahead” delves into the psychology of success, exploring how it shapes self-perception and influences subsequent actions.
Researchers from Washington University (St. Louis), investigated this effect, trying to understand why some people can be continuously creative, while others struggle to maintain that same level of creativity in their work as time goes on. In the worst cases, some people who have achieved success won’t even attempt to repeat it.
               It came down to how they were recognized and applauded for their creative works. Recognition and awards significantly shape a creator’s identity, ultimately influencing their future success trajectory.
Identity After Success
               After achieving success and receiving public recognition, individuals may be labeled as “creative,” leading to subconscious barriers to further success to protect their image. Considering someone special, creative, or even a genius alters their self-perception, leading them to restrict changes to preserve reputation. The best way to accomplish that is to not experience any subsequent failures.
               So, what’s the difference between these people who decide one good piece is all they have versus those who go on time and time again to produce mass success? Individuals who achieve multiple successes typically don’t receive lavish awards for their first unique works. The researchers conducted an experiment where they asked people to write a cookbook to demonstrate this phenomenon.
               Half were told their cookbook was extraordinary, half it was just good, not special. Members of the extraordinary group were less likely to generate a second idea or starting point for another cookbook. First-time award-winning idea authors tended to rely on the success of their debut book, with only 21% pursuing another success.
               To maximize creative output, researchers offer tips for individuals and teams to enhance their creative potential effectively. They recommend that recognition and rewards are not only for the end-product, but for the developmental process. Recognize and reward both learning from failure and smooth progress, while ensuring awards align with the effort expended. Receiving an overly grand prize or recognition for work diminishes the likelihood of its repetition in the future. Celebrate successes and team achievements by consistently recognizing and promoting creativity in solid work performed by team members.
Further Reading
Dirk Deichmann, Markus Baer. A recipe for success? Sustaining creativity among first-time creative producers.. Journal of Applied Psychology, 2022; DOI: 10.1037/apl0001019
Photo by GR Stocks on Unsplash
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