Then the researchers examined what happened to these scientists’ careers. People in the narrow-miss If Only group systematically outperformed those in the narrow-win At Least group in the long run. These Silver Emmas of science were subsequently cited much more often, and they were 21 percent more likely to produce a hit paper. The researchers concluded that it was the setback itself that supplied the fuel. The near miss likely prompted regret, which spurred reflection, which revised strategy, which improved performance.
