Knowledge Building:
Grit is a personality trait defined as “sticking with things over the very long term until you master them,” according to Dr. Angela Duckworth, the leading psychologist and researcher on the topic. “The gritty individual approaches achievement as a marathon; his or her advantage is stamina,” she says.
Do you ever see high-performing athletes, artists, or musicians and think, “It must be nice or easy when you’re so naturally gifted or talented”? The truth is, what sets them apart isn’t just talent—it’s grit, the relentless passion and perseverance that drives them to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. In this video we’ll explore how fostering grit can be a game-changer in both your personal and professional journey. But fostering grit isn’t just about your performance—it’s also about cultivating and supporting grit in others. Let’s dive into how you can develop and leverage grit in your career while empowering those around you to do the same.
Step 1: Understanding Grit
Fostering grit begins with understanding its core elements: passion and perseverance. Passion fuels your drive, giving you a clear sense of purpose and direction. It’s the “why” behind what you do. Perseverance, on the other hand, is the relentless commitment to pushing forward, even when faced with obstacles. To foster grit in yourself, you must develop both elements. Nurture your passion through continuous learning and self-discovery while strengthening your perseverance by setting long-term goals and breaking them down into manageable steps. But don’t stop there—encourage others to discover their passions and support them as they persevere through their own challenges. By doing so, you create a culture of grit that benefits everyone.
Step 2: Persevering Through Adversity
Perseverance isn’t just about enduring the easy times—it’s about battling through adversity. Imagine a big storm on the horizon. You can’t always predict when it will hit, nor can you avoid it, but you can prepare for it. Grit is what prepares you to face those storms with courage and determination. Effort counts twice in this equation. Doubling down on hard work, even when it’s difficult, is what separates those who merely set goals from those who achieve them. Daily practice, even in the face of setbacks, builds resilience. As you develop your own perseverance, be mindful of those around you. Encourage your colleagues, teammates, or employees to keep going, especially when the going gets tough. Share strategies that have helped you persevere and remind them that grit is often what makes the difference between success and failure.
Step 3: Resilience and Adaptability
Grit also involves resilience and adaptability—key traits that enable you to bounce back from setbacks and adjust to new circumstances. In the face of an impending storm, resilience helps you stay grounded, while adaptability helps you steer through it. These qualities are essential in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing professional landscape. When you get comfortable being pushed out of your comfort zone, you build the capacity to handle whatever comes your way. And this is not just for your benefit—by modeling resilience and adaptability, you inspire others to do the same. Help your team or colleagues understand that resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges but about learning and growing from them. Encourage them to see change as an opportunity rather than a threat, and together, you can navigate any storm that comes your way.
Step 4: Managing Conflict and Discomfort
Finally, fostering grit requires you to get comfortable with discomfort and conflict. Whether it’s dealing with difficult conversations, managing competing priorities, or facing uncertainty, grit enables you to confront these challenges head-on. Just as you would prepare your team to weather a storm, you need to prepare yourself and those around you mentally, socially, and emotionally to handle the turbulence of conflict. By approaching conflict with a solution-oriented mindset and viewing discomfort as a catalyst for growth, you can turn potential setbacks into stepping stones for success. Support others in this journey by fostering an environment where it’s okay to be uncomfortable and where conflict is seen as a path to better understanding and innovation. Together, by supporting each other, you and your team can battle through the storm bravely, confidently, and with hope and optimism.
In conclusion, fostering grit is about more than just personal perseverance—it’s about creating a ripple effect that empowers others to develop their own grit as well. Just as a ship must be ready to face the storm, you and your team must be prepared to navigate the challenges in your professional lives. By embracing these qualities and fostering them in others, you’ll not only enhance your own ability to achieve your goals but also create a resilient, adaptable, and determined team ready to face any storm. Ultimately, grit is what turns potential into achievement, so let’s optimize our potential to foster it.