The Path to Creative Brilliance
How Persistence, Curiosity, and Risk-Taking Fuel Breakthroughs
“The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is—it’s to imagine what is possible.” — bell hooks
Welcome to the first edition of The Tenure Track for 2025!
As we step into the new year, January’s theme of Creativity and Innovation feels especially timely. Over the last few months, we’ve laid a solid foundation, starting with Vision and Purpose in September, Leadership and Influence in October, Mastery and Focus in November, and concluding with Community and Support in December.
If you’re new to our community, I encourage you to check out the archives to catch up on these insights, strategies, and recommendation.
So, where does academic genius come from?
Einstein. Marie Curie. Derrick Bell. Kimberlé Crenshaw. Richard Feynman. Patricia Williams. Toni Morrison. James Baldwin. Duke Ellington. Nina Simone. Jean-Michel Basquiat. Kara Walker.
These names are synonymous with groundbreaking work that forever changed their fields. From Bell’s critical race theory and Crenshaw’s intersectionality framework to Einstein’s relativity and Curie’s research on radioactivity; from Morrison’s literary masterpieces to Simone’s politically charged music; from Baldwin’s essays to Basquiat’s Afrofuturist art—these luminaries epitomize intellectual achievement.
But what made them extraordinary? Were they destined for greatness, or was something else at play?
As academics on the tenure track, we often place these intellectual giants on pedestals so high they feel unreachable. “I’m no Einstein,” we tell ourselves. “I could never write like Baldwin or innovate like Ellington.”
These thoughts, while natural, can limit us, preventing us from fully pursuing innovative research, crafting novel theoretical frameworks, or experimenting with bold ideas.
But what if you’re more like these luminaries than you think?
What if their brilliance wasn’t purely innate, but the result of years of sustained effort, community-building, and the courage to challenge entrenched ideas?
Let’s explore this more fully.
The Science Behind Academic Achievement
In 1921, psychologist Lewis Terman launched the Genetic Studies of Genius, tracking a cohort of exceptionally intelligent children—known as the “Termites”—over their lifetimes.
Terman’s goal was to determine whether high IQ alone predicted creative and groundbreaking achievements. The surprising answer: it didn’t. While these children excelled academically, a high IQ didn’t guarantee transformative contributions.
This finding aligns with what researchers now understand about creativity. Once you reach a certain threshold of intelligence, other traits become more important—persistence, intellectual curiosity, and the willingness to challenge conventional thinking.
While Terman’s work is often overshadowed by his troubling eugenic beliefs, his longitudinal study offers valuable insights into human development, particularly how factors beyond intelligence shape long-term success.
Dr. Nancy Andreasen, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who has studied the neuroscience of creativity, explains: creativity is not about raw intellectual power but about “recognizing relationships, making associations and connections, and seeing things in an original way.”
For those of us on the tenure track, this is a liberating idea.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to demonstrate brilliance, but the truth is, meaningful academic contributions don’t require superhuman intellect. They require intentional creativity—asking bold questions, taking intellectual risks, and viewing failure as part of the iterative process of discovery.
This highlights the importance of cultivating habits that support creativity: carving out time for deep thinking, seeking interdisciplinary connections, and engaging in conversations that challenge assumptions. By focusing on these practices, you can move beyond the myth of genius and position yourself to make innovative contributions to your field—on your terms.
Why is this so important?
Before I explain why, if this newsletter resonates with you so far, know that you are not alone. Unlocking your creative genius in academia can feel like a daunting task, but it’s a journey we can take together.
In The Tenure Track, we explore how embracing a mindset of innovation and originality can fuel your academic career, push boundaries, and lead to breakthroughs you never thought possible.
Ready to tap into your creative potential? Subscribe for practical insights, inspiration, and strategies to unleash your genius and elevate your work.
The Reality of Academic Innovation
When we think of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, it’s often framed as a flash of genius sparked by observing Galápagos finches. But the reality is much less glamorous—and more instructive for academics.
Darwin’s groundbreaking work didn’t emerge overnight. It was the result of decades of effort: collecting data, corresponding with other naturalists, and refining his ideas. His theory of natural selection came from years of inquiry, iteration, and collaboration.
This pattern is common across disciplines. Transformative research rarely emerges fully formed. Instead, it develops through a deliberate, multi-step process:
Immersing yourself in foundational theories and methods
Collecting data over time
Collaborating with peers who challenge and refine your thinking
Iteratively refining ideas, embracing setbacks
Having the courage to challenge established paradigms
In other words, you must commit to being a lifelong student of your field.
Dr. Nancy Andreasen’s studies show that innovative scholars excel at “making associations and connections others cannot see.” Importantly, this isn’t an innate gift, but a skill developed through practice, persistence, and deep engagement with complex problems.
For academics on the tenure track, there’s a valuable lesson here: innovation isn’t about waiting for a lightning-bolt moment. It’s about the slow, often unglamorous work of building expertise, nurturing relationships, and refining ideas over time.
Instead of chasing perfection or waiting for brilliance, focus on consistent progress—reading deeply, writing regularly, and collaborating. Every draft, presentation, and peer review refines your ideas and brings you closer to making a meaningful contribution.
Some of you may be thinking,
“This all sounds great Etienne, but I am not that creative.”
Cultivating Academic Creativity
If creativity isn’t an innate gift, how can you develop it?
For tenure-track academics, creativity is crucial for producing innovative scholarship and engaging with your field in new ways. Here are six actionable strategies to help unlock your creative potential:
Master the Foundations of Your Field
Before challenging paradigms or offering original insights, you need a deep understanding of your discipline’s theories, methods, and debates. This foundation not only builds credibility but helps you spot gaps others may have missed.Actionable Tip: Dedicate time each week to revisiting foundational texts or classic works in your field. Annotate them with questions and ideas for new lines of inquiry. Consider doing this with a friend or colleague.
Seek Inspiration Across Disciplines
Some of the most transformative breakthroughs occur at the intersection of fields. Borrowing methodologies or ideas from other disciplines can spark new ways of thinking about your research.Actionable Tip: Attend interdisciplinary seminars, explore journals outside your field, or connect with colleagues in other departments.
Build Time for Mental Incubation
Creative insights often occur during periods of mental rest—when your mind can wander and make unexpected connections. Despite academic pressures, intentional downtime is critical for creativity.Actionable Tip: Incorporate activities like walking, running, gardening, or painting into your routine to allow space for creative thinking.
Embrace Playfulness in Your Work
Playfulness is a powerful but often overlooked tool in academia. Experiment with new ideas, even if they seem unrelated to your immediate research. Bold, speculative questions often lead to surprising discoveries.Actionable Tip: Set aside “low-stakes” research time to explore side projects, test new methodologies, or brainstorm ideas.
Example: This is part of the inspiration for my new newsletter, Freedom Papers. Check it out here if you are interested.
Collaborate and Build Supportive Networks
Creativity thrives in conversation. Collaborating with peers—within or outside your field—can expose you to fresh perspectives and help refine your ideas.Actionable Tip: Actively seek out collaborators at conferences, workshops, or through academic online communities. If the space you are seeking does not exist, maybe you are the one to create it.
Develop Resilience in the Face of Criticism
Innovative ideas often face resistance. Resilience—both emotional and intellectual—is essential for maintaining creative momentum in the face of setbacks.Actionable Tip: Shift your focus from defensiveness to growth when receiving critical feedback. Ask, “What can I learn from this?”
Creativity isn’t a one-time effort—it’s an ongoing practice. Whether through interdisciplinary exploration, playful experimentation, or intentional mental breaks, consistent habits can foster a more creative approach to your work.
How do you establish this practice given all of the challenges of academia?
The Path to Academic Innovation
What does academic innovation mean for your tenure journey?
While the pressure to produce groundbreaking work can feel overwhelming, innovation isn’t the product of genius alone. It’s the outcome of deliberate habits and intentional commitments. Here are four strategies to help you cultivate creativity and push the boundaries of your field:
Make Writing and Research Non-Negotiable
Groundbreaking ideas emerge through consistent effort. Waiting for the “perfect” moment can lead to inertia; progress comes from showing up and doing the work, day after day.Actionable Tip: Block out dedicated time each week for uninterrupted deep work. Start small and build over time. If you can, setting aside daily time is even better.
Engage Actively with Diverse Perspectives
Exposure to new ideas fuels creativity. Academic innovation often happens at the intersections of disciplines, where fresh methodologies or theories spark new ways of thinking.Actionable Tip: Attend events outside your discipline or connect with colleagues in other fields. Ask, “How could their ideas enhance my own work?” Consider joining or starting a reading group to help kickstart this process.
Experiment with New Approaches
Innovation thrives on experimentation. Questioning long-held assumptions and testing unconventional ideas leads to breakthroughs.Actionable Tip: Identify a “low-risk” experiment to integrate into your work, such as trying a new methodology or collaborating with someone outside your discipline.
Nurture Curiosity and Openness
Curiosity is the engine of academic innovation. Staying open to unexpected questions and unconventional insights allows you to challenge established paradigms.Actionable Tip: Reflect regularly on what excites you about your work. Keep a “wonder journal” or “commonplace book” to jot down intriguing questions or ideas.
Creativity Is a Skill You Can Build
Innovation isn’t about perfection or overnight breakthroughs.
It’s about consistent effort, diverse exploration, bold experimentation, and staying curious. By committing to these habits, you’ll cultivate creativity and position yourself to make meaningful contributions to your field and build a fulfilling academic career.
As you progress along the tenure track, remember that groundbreaking contributions don’t happen overnight. They emerge from preparation, persistence, and intellectual risk-taking. By mastering your field’s foundations, building interdisciplinary connections, creating mental space for incubation, and embracing productive play, you’ll foster the conditions for creative breakthroughs.
Don’t wait for genius to strike.
Build it, piece by piece, through deliberate effort and sustained engagement. Every academic giant started as a curious scholar asking bold questions.
Why not you? You’re capable of more than you think.
So, take the next step with confidence. Who knows? The innovation that transforms your field may already be taking shape in the margins of your notes or the quiet moments between projects.
Let’s make 2025 the year we embrace our creative potential—together.
Becoming Full,
P.S. As always, thank you for reading this week’s issue of The Tenure Track. If you found this article helpful, I encourage you to share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit from these insights. Together, let’s continue to build a supportive and creative academic community.