In this episode of Re:Thinking with Adam Grant, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of Broadway hits ‘Hamilton’ and ‘In the Heights’, and his father, Luis Miranda, a political strategist and activist, discuss the harmony between creativity and productivity, the rhythm between work and life, and the importance of taking risks.
I have seen this process unfold over two decades and it’s always fascinating because what comes next it’s certainly better and there’s always a real rationale and a real road that he follow of why he ended up at this new place. – Luis Miranda
Resilience and Perseverance
Resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges are key themes in the podcast.
Both Lin-Manuel and Luis Miranda emphasize the importance of continuing to work on a project, even when it seems uncertain or not ready.
They highlight the importance of collaboration, understanding one’s role, and taking calculated risks in the creative process.
I’ve always said what you said in the joking ways there’s there’s kids who do their homework on Friday night and there’s kids who do their homework on Monday morning and for the life of me I wish I were a Friday night kid I’m sure it would result in less stomach aches but that being said incubation is a really important part of the process. – Lin-Manuel Miranda
The Role of a Supportive Parent
Luis Miranda closely follows his son’s creative process, finding it fascinating rather than mundane.
He notes that Lin-Manuel’s work always improves with each iteration and that there’s a clear rationale and path that he follows to arrive at the final product.
The Impact of Interest on Performance
Lin-Manuel Miranda excelled in subjects that interested him and struggled with those that didn’t during his student years.
This pattern is consistent with research showing that the most creative individuals often have ‘spikier’ grades, excelling in areas of interest and performing poorly in areas that don’t engage them.
Creativity Under Pressure
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s creative process thrives under pressure.
His most important collaborator, Tommy Kail, realized early on that Lin-Manuel worked best under deadlines, leading to the creation of weekly meetings where Lin-Manuel would bring in new material.
This process was instrumental in the creation of both ‘In the Heights’ and ‘Hamilton.’
Delegation and Teamwork
Lin-Manuel Miranda delegates tasks he doesn’t care about to his team.
If something keeps getting pushed back on the agenda, Luis Miranda suggests that someone else take it on.
This approach allows Lin-Manuel to focus on his creative process and ensures that all tasks are completed efficiently.
Addressing Underrepresentation
Lin-Manuel Miranda acknowledges the criticism about the lack of Afro-Latinx representation in lead roles in ‘In the Heights’.
He understands the hurt and frustration over colorism and expresses his commitment to learning from the feedback and making necessary changes in future projects.
The Power of Community
Living in a Latino program house at Wesleyan University provided Lin-Manuel Miranda with a sense of belonging and allowed him to bring more of himself into his work.
This experience inspired him to write ‘In the Heights’, demonstrating the power of diverse and supportive communities in fostering creativity.
Art Reflecting Societal Changes
The evolution of ‘In the Heights’ from its Broadway debut to its film adaptation reflects the changing world, including the intensifying debate around immigration and the increasing gentrification in Washington Heights.
This highlights the importance of art in reflecting and responding to societal changes.
The Importance of Deadlines
Deadlines play a crucial role in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s creative process.
He often works under pressure, writing crucial parts of his musicals on the day of workshops or readings.
This approach, while stressful, allows him to enter a state of intense focus where the rest of the world disappears, enabling him to produce his best work.
Everyone needs a posse around them who understands their experiences and their backgrounds. – Adam Grant
The Emotional Journey of Creation
Lin-Manuel Miranda discusses the challenges of carrying an entire show in his head before it’s brought to life on stage.
He describes this feeling as being ‘intellectually pregnant’ and shares the frustration of having to wait for the right time to bring the show to the audience.
The Influence of Parents’ Careers
Having psychologist parents had a significant impact on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s emotional intelligence.
He learned to name his feelings and understand his emotional responses.
This understanding and portrayal of complex emotions have greatly influenced his work.
Incubation in Creativity
A significant part of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s creative process involves incubation.
Some of the final numbers for his musicals were written on the mornings of workshops, under tight deadlines.
This process, while stressful, allowed for a burst of creativity and resulted in some of the most memorable parts of his shows.
