In recent years there has been an increased interest in who some refer to as the creative genius. More specifically, researchers are attempting to determine what essential traits are required for exceptional creative achievement. Not surprisingly, above average intelligence is one of those traits, but interestingly, intelligence is insufficient and needs to be combined with several other traits to be noteworthy and truly original. One of those additional traits is curiosity — a hunger for knowledge and understanding.
This hunger can certainly push the boundaries of a specific discipline but also manifests beyond a specific specialization. Nobel Prize-winning scientists, for example, report to have three times the number of hobbies compared to the average person. They are particularly likely to engage in creative pursuits such as music, painting, acting or writing poetry.
These activities are said to train the brain to generate and redefine ideas that can lead to original insights. Mastery of different fields allows you to look at a particular situation from multiple points of view. This cross pollination leads to more original creative production. Maya Angelou, a poet, journalist, actor, filmmaker, civil rights activist, dancer and singer, is one example of this phenomenon. Her body of work is astonishing and arguably exceeds the sum of her individual accomplishments. It is interesting to note that “creative geniuses” also utilize metacognition to plan and monitor progress of their projects.
This act of deep reflection makes their efforts more efficient and leaves more time to work and explore.
Perhaps the most surprising of the fundamental traits is “intellectual humility” — acknowledging one’s flaws and limitations. Ironically, this realization boosts learning by encouraging one to address the errors and gaps in one’s thinking. It is much more important to live with doubt and uncertainty than it is to insist on knowing something that may be wrong. Even Plato acknowledged that the wisest people are those that understood their limits. Researchers also point out that even if you possess all these essential traits, you still need a bit of luck. To be in the right place at the right time with the right group of people. Even the most promising individuals can easily miss or be over-looked for opportunities that allow them to cultivate their abilities and ultimately shine.