Acknowledge your Grit!

From my research into the lived experiences of women leaders, there emerged numerous stories of tenacity, perseverance, and a certain 'stick-to-itiveness'. One woman in particular, to whom I will refer as Michele, stands out even as I recall her story of losing her lavish home, her marriage, and all the trappings that financial success had provided. She sunk to the depths of homelessness after losing every material possession, and was left to live in her car. Although Michele's homelessness was the consequence of her husband's destructive behavior, she alone was left to pick up the pieces of her own life. I was intrigued by Michele's story of resilience, perseverance, and grit as she worked her way back to a career in the C-suite, which is where I met her. I keep returning to the concept of grit whenever I consider how persons like Michele and so many others (including you reading this right now); who experience unexpected adversity and setbacks, manage to bounce back and possibly achieve a goal equal to, or possibly greater, or more satisfying than one they had before?

Individuals like ballerina Misty Copeland, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, and Dr. Angela Lee Duckworth might suggest that Michele possesses grit.

In her message to the 2014 graduates at NYU, Chair Janet Yellen told her audience that grit and passion might matter more than sheer ability. Misty Copelnad attributed her ability to thrive in the competitive world of ballet to the grit she developed from her own childhood experiences.

Grit consists of a combination of persistence or stick-to-itivness, passion, tenacity or the willingness to find new ways to move forward whenever one encounters a roadblock that results in a setback.

In her TED Talk, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Duckworth describes grit as "passion and perseverance for very long-term goals". Grit is that quality that drives a person who has experienced failures too many to count, to try again and again to find a way forward. According to Duckworth, grit is not the only thing, yet it is a key factor in a person's success. From her research, Duckworth also notes that persons with grit also possess the following behaviors:

• A deep passion and unfailing interest in what they are doing;
• A drive to take steps toward their goal and in so doing, build mastery;
• A view that their goal will benefit others, not only themselves; and
• Hope - which allows them to persevere when the future appears bleak.

In my experience as an executive coach of current and aspiring leaders, I have come to realize that although many persons demonstrate grit several times in life, whenever there is a challenge or setback, it appears to be more difficult to acknowledge or remember that we possess this quality. Grit is reflected in the attitude or commitment to not give up and always keep trying. Grit is an innate quality we use to get through unexpected transitions. Whether experiencing an unrelenting desire to pursue a lifelong dream; or dealing with personal crises, career upheavals, financial tremors, or any issue that demands tenacious focus, I urge us all to acknowledge our grit. Acknowledge that fortitude and unstoppable determination that we have relied on at one time or another. The energy this requires might sometimes seem to waver, and yet, I urge that we acknowledge this quality that is in us, which will fuel our drive toward our goal. For added effect, let us also surround ourselves with persons who will remind us that we indeed possess grit.

Dr. Denise Williams is an experienced Coach and OD Consultant who uses a whole-person approach to help employees improve their performance and overall effectiveness while achieving goals.