Grit (Angela Duckworth)
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
Principle: The power of passion and perseverance.
Behaviors: Cultivate a deep interest in what you do. Practice deliberately. Foster a sense of purpose. Adopt a growth mindset.
Angela Duckworth’s research on Grit highlights a principle that often outweighs talent or intelligence in achieving success: the combination of passion and perseverance over the long term. Gritty individuals pursue goals with unwavering commitment, push through challenges, and remain focused even when progress is slow or obstacles appear insurmountable. It’s this steady dedication, more than innate ability, that often separates high achievers from the rest.
At the core of grit is passion — a deep, enduring interest in your work, your craft, or your purpose. Passion sustains energy and motivation, helping you maintain focus even when the initial excitement fades. It’s about finding meaning in what you do and committing to it wholeheartedly.
Perseverance is equally vital. Duckworth emphasizes the importance of deliberate practice, the disciplined, consistent effort to improve. Talent alone is insufficient; growth comes from stretching your skills, learning from mistakes, and pushing beyond comfort zones. By practicing deliberately, you build competence, confidence, and resilience.
Another behavior that cultivates grit is fostering a sense of purpose. When your work connects to a cause bigger than yourself — whether helping others, advancing knowledge, or creating meaningful impact — perseverance becomes easier. Purpose fuels endurance and provides a reason to keep going when the journey gets tough.
Finally, grit is strengthened by adopting a growth mindset. Believing that abilities can be developed through effort encourages persistence rather than giving up in the face of failure. Challenges become opportunities to learn, and setbacks are seen as part of the long journey toward mastery.
Grit is not about short-term bursts of effort or fleeting enthusiasm. It is about consistent, long-term commitment to meaningful goals. Leaders and individuals who cultivate grit inspire others through their determination, model resilience in adversity, and achieve outcomes that often seem unattainable to those relying solely on talent or luck.
In the end, grit teaches a powerful lesson: success is rarely an accident. It is the product of sustained effort, deep passion, and an unyielding commitment to keep moving forward — no matter how long the path.
Recommended Resources
Books
Grit by Angela Duckworth
Grit by Angela Duckworth (Spotify Premium Audiobook)
