Hidden Brain Success 2.0: Getting to the Top and Staying There
May 29, 2023
Justin Berg, a researcher in organizational behavior at Stanford, dives into what defines lasting success. He discusses why many talented individuals never reach their peak potential, drawing parallels between historical figures and modern creators. The conversation explores the psychology of creativity using the evolution of the Star Wars franchise and contrasts different filmmakers' journeys. Berg also examines the tension between maintaining originality and achieving popularity, revealing insights relevant to creators across industries.
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Power Laws Shape Creative Success
- Creative industries show power-law distributions where a tiny fraction produce most hits.
- Talent and luck don't fully explain why some creators sustain success over decades.
Kershner Goes From Skeptic To Hit Maker
- George Lucas hired Irvin Kershner to direct The Empire Strikes Back despite Kershner initially hating Star Wars.
- The sequel became a massive hit and cemented Kershner's reputation as a reliable director.
Zemeckis' Early Flops Precede Breakthroughs
- Robert Zemeckis made several flops like Used Cars and 1941 early in his career.
- Later hits like Romancing the Stone and Back to the Future transformed him into a versatile, sought-after director.