<p>
</p>
<p>Unfortunately, many academics…especially those at respectable/elite universities seem to prefer those with “natural brilliance” and assume the “hard working” part as a matter of course judging by conversations I’ve had/overheard. </p>
<p>To some extent, this also exists in the professional world…a reason why several early supervisors warned me to watch for feedback/evaluations where the term “hard worker” is used as that is often taken as “damning with faint praise”. </p>
<p>While it is something I can understand somewhat(No one wants to be stuck with a dullard whose only notable quality is a strong-work ethic)…I personally tend to lean in favor of “hard work” over “natural brilliance”. </p>
<p>That’s a byproduct of both my personal tendency to favor people who “get things done” and being in academic/professional environments filled with naturally brilliant, but lazy, talk it to death, or otherwise “just can’t get stuff done” folks who end up falling by the wayside and/or screwing up projects for everyone else.</p>