"There is no substitute for hard work." Thomas Edison
"Hard work beat talent when talent doesn't work hard." Unknown author
"I never dreamt of success. I worked for it." Estée Lauder
A joint study by educational institutions from Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong uncovered complex relationships between creativity, mental health, and career outcomes, revealing the genetic factors underpinning these connections.
Researchers from the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, the National University of Singapore, Duke-NUS Medical School, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUKH) Business School analysed data from approximately 500,000 participants in the UK and US.
It revealed that the same genetic traits linked to creativity are associated with both positive outcomes, such as happiness and longevity, and negative ones, including an increased risk of mental health disorders like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism.
"There are genetic overlaps between creativity with both positive and negative well-being indicators," noted Professor Li Wendong, an associate professor in Department of Management of the CUKH Business School.
The research showed that creativity is positively associated with indicators of good health and happiness, such as longevity and subjective well-being. However, it also identified positive genetic links between creativity and indicators of diminished well-being, suggesting that the same genes fostering creative brilliance may also harbour risks for mental health disorders.
The study also found significant genetic correlations between creativity and career success, including income and occupational status. Managerial and scientific creativities showed stronger positive genetic correlations with income compared to artistic creativity. However, creative individuals often report higher levels of job satisfaction, considered an indicator of career success.
Professor Li emphasised the importance of workplaces supporting creative minds. He stated that managers should understand how a positive, healthy, and inclusive work environment can maximise the positive role of the creativity gene and help release individual potential.
Inclusive workplaces foster innovation and creativity by valuing diverse perspectives and experiences. Organisations that create a culture of belonging can enhance employee engagement, productivity, and retention. They are also 1.7 times more likely to be innovation leaders.
By creating inclusive workplaces that celebrate and harness the unique strengths of diverse employees, companies can foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
