According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, grit in the context of behavior is defined as “mental toughness and courage.” Sounds great but what does that really mean? And how does grit come into play in the workplace? How do you know if you have it or how to get it?
Grit can be more broadly defined as a mix of perseverance, determination, positivity and enthusiasm that can make one more successful at achieving long-term goals. Grit seems to be the critical element in explaining why two people with equal talent and intelligence might achieve varying levels of success. Everything else being equal, grit matters. Grit matters in the workplace and overall leadership because grit can be an important predictor of success. Studies demonstrate that grit is closely linked to multiple performance measures on the job and beyond.
So what qualities make up the somewhat intangible quality of grit? Courage, or your ability to manage fear, is an important component of grit. You have to be willing to fail to succeed, and the people who can manage failures as part of the process of achieving their goals are more likely to get to the finish line. Resilience, or the thing that helps you get up off the floor after your courage has allowed you to risk and fail. We can see resilience as a belief that life has a meaningful purpose, that you can influence your environment and outcomes and that you understand that both positive and negative experiences help you learn and grow.
People with grit tend to choose excellence over perfection. Perfection values what people do, excellence values who people are. Excellence is far more gentle and forgiving than perfection. It allows for failures and vulnerability on our journey and excellence is about reachable goals and milestones not exacting standards. It’s about learning from failure rather than being devastated by it. Those with more grit, while not perfectionists by nature, do tend to be achievement oriented. This means that they don’t just show up and suit up, they bring their ‘A’ game. They also have the endurance, or the stamina needed to finish the game because we all know real wins take time.
Grit is that certain something that makes us willing to commit to our long-term goals and see them through in spite of adversity. So how do we get more of it? First, pursue things you are really passionate about. The more exciting and energizing you find something, the easier it is to access many of the qualities that make for true grit. Second, look around you for models. Even the best leaders have something to learn from the people around us. Maybe it’s passion, purpose or processes, every single person has elements of grit that the careful observer can see and work to make their own. Success takes time so build in practice time for the goals you want to achieve. There will be failures, setbacks and times when you find yourself losing your way so surround yourself with people who bolster you. Whether its family, friends, colleague or mentor, spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself and your purpose. And if you really got grit, give it to others. Guiding and growing grit in others can be an awesome way to keep your own fire stoked.
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