Dr. Angela Duckworth of the University of Pennsylvania has identified grit as the number-one predictor of success. Leading with grit can transform your approach, as contrary to what many people believe, success isn’t about raw talent.
It’s about hard work, perseverance, and the ability to overcome and keep moving forward—no matter what.
Leading with grit trumps talent every time.
Let’s face it: anything worthwhile takes time—even when it feels like we’re pushing a rope uphill. There will always be setbacks. Roadblocks. Days when we feel like we’ve completely failed. I’ve been there more times than I can count.
The good news?
When we choose grit, we find a way through. Sometimes, we even charge right through the wall that once stood in our way. Grit propels us closer to the goals and vision we hold as leaders.
With that in mind, I want to leave you with five tips from Jon Gordon’s article, 5 Ways Successful Leaders Cultivate Grit and Achieve Long-Term Goals:
- They know what they want – Grit begins with clarity. When leaders know what they truly want, they’re willing to endure almost anything to achieve it.
- They know their why – Purpose is powerful. When you’re focused on serving others, setbacks don’t stop you.
- They love it – You can’t fake passion. If you don’t love what you do, you won’t stick with it when things get hard.
- They embrace failure – Great leaders don’t fear failure. They learn from it and use it as fuel.
- They ignore the critics and do the work – True leaders don’t chase applause. They lead because it matters.
“True grit is making a decision and standing by it, doing what must be done. No moral man can have peace of mind if he leaves undone what he knows he should have done.”
—John Wayne
Keep pressing forward. Leading with grit helps you win.
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