Outsmart the Hustle

The Surprising Strategy for Thriving in Academia

Dec 14, 2024

Most would agree that there is something beyond groundbreaking research and scholarly brilliance that drives academics toward success in their careers.

For some researchers, we can point to the influence of transformative mentors, supportive department chairs, and collaborative colleagues. For others, we see the impact of institutional support and networks that provide intellectual nourishment and professional guidance. But one thing is clear—in the competitive world of academia, who you know is sometimes more important than what you know on the road to tenure.

In other words, to put it plainly: your academic environment matters.

“Well,” you might say, “Even if I find myself in the right department, surrounded by accomplished scholars, how do I ensure that I will stand out from my peers? How do I convince my colleagues to recognize my unique scholarly contributions?”

Career development experts might advise:

“Speak up in faculty meetings!”
“Be confident and share your research!”
“Embrace leadership opportunities in your department!”
“Don’t be a pushover, because nice scholars finish last!”

To a certain extent, the experts would be correct. You should confidently share your research with others, and nice academics do often struggle to gain recognition.

In fact, research shows that scholars who give more than they take often sink to the bottom of the academic hierarchy. In our ‘publish-or-perish’ culture, a competitive mentality—where one takes advantage of every opportunity to promote their work and build valuable collaborations—is common among successful researchers and tenured professors.

But what if I also said, “By the way, nice scholars can finish first too”?

If you’re like many early-career academics, you might be doubtful at first.

“Not in my field,” you might reply.

Or, “That won’t work in my department.”

We can all point to one or two examples of kind researchers who have come out ahead. Occasionally, a soft-spoken assistant professor who never takes credit for collaborative work lands tenure. Every so often, a shy graduate student grows into a distinguished professor with groundbreaking publications.

But these are exceptions to the rule, right?

In his book Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success, Wharton professor Adam Grant suggests that maybe we have it all wrong.

Takers, Matchers, and Givers: Three Approaches to Networking

Adam Grant explains that most people operate as one of the following:

Takers focus on maximizing the value they can extract from every interaction. They ensure the benefits they gain outweigh their personal costs. For example, a taker might ask, “Dr. Rodriguez wants me to provide feedback on her manuscript…what’s in it for me?”
Matchers aim to keep relationships balanced by giving only as much as they expect to receive. A matcher might say, “Why would I go out of my way to help Dr. Chen? She’s not even in my specific subfield!”
Givers are the rare individuals who contribute to others without expecting anything in return. A giver might offer their time to help Dr. Chen anyway, seeing it as an opportunity to support a colleague or strengthen the field as a whole.

Most of us want to be givers, at least with our close colleagues and research teams. But the fear of being judged as naïve or the threat of being perceived as unqualified prevents many early-career academics from operating like givers in their departments and broader scholarly communities.

We want to be viewed as confident by our senior colleagues.

We want to be known as scholars who are uncompromising in their pursuits. But Adam Grant suggests that giving may, in fact, be the secret formula to lasting academic success. He identifies sincere giving as the distinguishing characteristic of professionals who make the most of their diverse academic networks.

So how exactly can you gain more by giving more in your academic journey?

1. Givers Unlock Hidden Value in Their Academic Networks

For ambitious academics, pride can sometimes delay progress.

We try to do everything on our own, believing that independence reflects our dedication and scholarly tenacity. While struggling independently can be a valuable learning experience, it doesn’t take long to realize that “who you know” makes a significant difference.

No matter how meticulously you craft your manuscripts or how many hours you spend in the lab, there’s always someone who seems to advance their career in half the time with less effort. Many of us eventually shift to prioritizing networking. We attend conferences, connect on professional platforms, and keep scholarly contacts fresh.

But superficial relationships often don’t amount to much in the long run.

Why?

Because meaningful relationships require meaningful investment.

Takers focus only on their own short-term gains.
Matchers hesitate to help unless they see an opportunity for an even trade.
Givers, however, approach their networks with the mindset of helping others, even if the benefits aren’t immediately apparent.

According to Adam Grant,

“Strong ties provide bonds, but weak ties serve as bridges: they provide more efficient access to new information.”

By investing in weaker or dormant ties—colleagues you don’t see regularly—you can gain exposure to new opportunities and perspectives that aren’t available within your immediate circle.

Instead of approaching your network like a hungry researcher searching for the next citation, focus on how your talents and scholarship can serve those around you.

If this resonates with you, you’re not alone.

Navigating the competitive world of academia and finding your unique voice can be challenging, but it’s a path we can walk together.

In The Tenure Track, we explore how shifting from a mindset of taking to one of giving can unlock lasting success, build meaningful academic relationships, and elevate your career in ways you never imagined.

Ready to embrace a new approach? Subscribe for actionable tips, support, and insights to thrive in both your career and life.

2. Givers Build Upon the Talent of Those Around Them

Hardworking academics often see independence as a strength.

But behind every groundbreaking research team or influential scholar is a strong network of collaborators and supporters.

Takers and matchers often fail to fully engage with the talent around them:

Takers may view talented colleagues as threats, leading them to withhold support out of fear of being outshined.
Matchers play it safe, waiting for clear signs of high potential before offering help—often missing opportunities while waiting for the “right” time.

Givers, on the other hand, recognize that interdependence is a source of strength.

They build strong research teams and maximize their scholarly impact by supporting their peers. By focusing on others’ success, givers:

Help improve their academic communities.
Earn respect and admiration, which often inspires colleagues to reciprocate their support.

3. Givers Influence and Persuade Others in Lasting Ways

Many of us believe that academic influence requires intellectual dominance.

We’re taught to “be the expert,” “dominate the discourse,” and “add value with groundbreaking insights.” Takers may excel in this approach, but their success often comes at the expense of others.

Givers take a different path:

Empathy: They step outside their own frame of reference, connecting with a wide range of academic audiences.
Vulnerability: Givers use “powerless communication,” openly sharing their doubts and struggles. This makes them relatable, approachable, and ultimately memorable.
Purpose: Givers are driven by a mission rooted in values and intellectual beliefs rather than short-term career aspirations.

By prioritizing collaboration and service, givers transform academic challenges into opportunities to inspire others.

They help turn a collection of individual efforts into a collective intellectual force, building bridges of knowledge and creating meaningful change.

Ultimately, givers succeed not because success is their primary goal, but because they discover a life filled with academic purpose. Their journey is not about obsessing over tenure—it’s about becoming servant-scholars who uplift their communities along the way.

Give to Grow

Your academic environment matters—and so does the energy you bring to it.

While the competitive culture of academia often tempts us to focus solely on advancing our individual goals, giving offers a different path. It’s a way to build a career not just defined by personal achievements but by meaningful impact.

Adam Grant’s research reminds us that givers unlock hidden opportunities, strengthen their networks, and amplify the talent of those around them. By investing in others, they cultivate relationships that foster collaboration and mutual growth. More importantly, they model a way of working that leads to not just individual success, but collective progress.

If there’s one takeaway here, it’s this: academia thrives on relationships.

When you give generously and authentically—whether by mentoring a colleague, reconnecting with a former classmate, or simply offering a listening ear—you transform your professional network into a source of strength and opportunity.

So, as you step into your next meeting or open your inbox, ask yourself:

What can I give to make this space better for everyone in it?

In doing so, you’re not just advancing your career; you’re helping to build an academic community that reflects the values we all hope to see in the world.

That, after all, is the ultimate success story.

Becoming Full,

P.S. If this newsletter resonated with you, please share it with colleagues who might benefit from a fresh perspective on academic life. And if you’ve found innovative ways to give as you grow, I’d love to hear about them in the comments.