Grit in Leadership, Innovation, and Strategy: DeMarco Banter

Angela Duckworth introduced the concept of grit in her 2016 book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance“. In the book, she describes grit as a combination of passion and perseverance, and argues that it is a critical factor in determining success in life and work. She provides research-based evidence to support her claims, and offers practical advice for developing and cultivating grit in both individuals and organizations. Duckworth’s ideas just seem to resonate for almost anyone in the military–to include anyone who has spent time at a Military Academy or College.

Duckworth’s concept of grit refers to the perseverance and passion for long-term goals. It is the combination of stamina and sustained interest in pursuing a particular mission or objective. Duckworth argues that grit is a better predictor of success than IQ or talent, and that it can be developed and strengthened over time through effort and practice. She defines grit as “the tendency to sustain interest in and effort toward very long-term goals.” In other words, grit is the determination to see a task through to completion, even when it becomes difficult or challenging.

Grit is indeed a combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals, but brings in a few other characteristics as well:

Passion: Individuals with grit have a deep-seated passion for their goals and are motivated to work towards them despite challenges and obstacles.
Perseverance: They are persistent and continue to work towards their goals even in the face of difficulties and setbacks. They don’t give up easily.
Long-term focus: Individuals with grit have a long-term perspective and are committed to their goals over the long haul. They are not easily discouraged by short-term setbacks.
Resilience: They have the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges, and use them as opportunities to learn and grow.
Hard work: Individuals with grit are willing to put in the time and effort necessary to achieve their goals. They are not afraid of hard work and understand that it is necessary for success.

These characteristics are important in helping individuals develop and maintain their grit, and are essential for achieving long-term success in any field or endeavor

I’m always reading books like this and trying to find ways to apply them to leadership, innovation, and strategy and obviously how to incorporate into my life—Here are some thoughts for incorporating grit into life:

Identify goals: Start by identifying long-term goals and where’s the passion lies. Focus on motivations and long term achievements.
Develop a growth mindset: Adopt a growth mindset, which means viewing challenges and failures as opportunities for growth and learning.
Persevere: Keep pushing forward, even when faced with obstacles and setbacks. Remember that setbacks are a normal part of the journey towards achieving goals.
Stay focused: Stay focused on goals and don’t get sidetracked by distractions or short-term temptations.
Practice self-discipline: Develop self-discipline to help stay focused and motivated. This may include setting routines, prioritizing tasks, and avoiding distractions.
Work with supportive people: Seek out individuals who will support and encourage while working towards goals.
Celebrate small wins: Celebrate small wins and progress along the way, as this will help to with motivation and staying on track.

By incorporating these tips into life, we can develop and maintain grit, and be well on our way to achieving long-term goals.

GRIT IN LEADERSHIP

Notes to myself on grit in leadership:

Lead by example: Show the team grit by persevering through challenges and setbacks, and by continuing to work towards goals even when faced with obstacles.
Encourage a growth mindset: Encourage the team to adopt a growth mindset, which means viewing challenges and failures as opportunities for growth and learning.
Foster resilience: Help the team develop resilience by encouraging them to bounce back from setbacks and challenges, and by providing support and resources to help them do so.
Set challenging but achievable goals: Set challenging but achievable goals for the team, and help them to develop a plan for achieving those goals.
Recognize and reward hard work: Recognize and reward hard work and perseverance, and celebrate the team’s successes along the way.
Support your team: Provide support and resources to help your team succeed, including coaching, mentoring, and training.
Lead with compassion: Lead with compassion and understanding, and help your team to feel supported and valued.

By incorporating these principles into a leadership style, it can help to cultivate a culture of grit and perseverance within the team, and inspire them to achieve their full potential.

GRIT IN INNOVATION

Notes to myself on grit in innovation:

Embrace failure: Embrace failure as a part of the innovation process, and view it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Stay persistent: Stay persistent in the pursuit of new and innovative solutions, and don’t give up when faced with challenges or obstacles.
Encourage experimentation: Encourage experimentation and risk-taking, and provide a safe environment for the team to test and validate ideas.
Develop a growth mindset: Encourage a growth mindset among the team, which means viewing challenges and failures as opportunities for growth and learning.
Celebrate progress: Celebrate progress and small wins along the way, as this will help to keep the team motivated and focused on the bigger picture.

By incorporating these principles into the approach to innovation, it can help to cultivate a culture of grit and perseverance within the organization, and foster a continuous cycle of learning and growth.

GRIT IN STRATEGY

Notes to myself on grit in strategy:

Set clear and challenging goals: Set clear and challenging goals for the organization, and help the team to develop a plan for achieving those goals.
Focus on the long-term: Stay focused on long-term goals and don’t get sidetracked by short-term setbacks or distractions.

By incorporating these principles into the approach to strategy, it can help to cultivate a culture of grit and perseverance within the organization, and foster a continuous cycle of learning and growth

HISTORIC ROLE GRIT MODELS

Grit refers to perseverance and passion for long-term goals, and there are many historic examples of individuals who embody this trait–it’s always good to have role models. Here are a few that come to mind:

Abraham Lincoln – Despite facing numerous setbacks and failures throughout his life, Lincoln never lost his determination to succeed. He persevered through personal and political challenges to become one of the greatest American Presidents.
Winston Churchill – Churchill faced numerous setbacks and failures, including a string of military defeats, but he never lost his resolve to fight for what he believed in. He is widely recognized for his bravery and determination during World War II.
Martin Luther King Jr. – King’s relentless pursuit of civil rights and racial equality is a testament to his grit and determination. Despite facing opposition and personal danger, he continued to fight for justice and equality until his death.
Marie Curie – Marie Curie was a pioneering scientist who made numerous groundbreaking discoveries in the field of physics and chemistry. Despite facing opposition and discrimination as a woman in a male-dominated field, she never lost her determination to succeed and made numerous contributions to the scientific community.

These are just a few examples of individuals who embody the concept of grit, and there are countless others throughout history who have shown exceptional perseverance and determination in pursuit of their goals.

MODERN DAY GRIT ROLE MODELS

There are many modern-day examples of individuals who embody the concept of grit and determination. Here are a few:

Elon Musk – Elon Musk is the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and is known for his determination and vision in bringing about sustainable energy solutions and space exploration. Despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges, he has continued to pursue his goals with unwavering determination.
Serena Williams – Serena Williams is a professional tennis player who has shown exceptional grit and determination throughout her career. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including injuries, she has continued to pursue her goals and remains one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
J.K. Rowling – J.K. Rowling is the author of the Harry Potter series, and is known for her perseverance and determination in pursuing her dream of becoming a published author. Despite facing numerous rejections, she continued to work on her writing and eventually became one of the best-selling authors of all time.
Tim Cook – Tim Cook is the CEO of Apple and is known for his leadership and determination in driving the company forward. Despite facing numerous challenges, including the death of Steve Jobs, he has continued to pursue his goals and has led Apple to become one of the largest and most innovative technology companies in the world.
Simone Biles – Simone Biles is a gymnast who has shown exceptional grit and determination throughout her career. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including injury, she has continued to pursue her goals and has become one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.
Malala Yousafzai – Malala is a young activist who has shown exceptional grit and determination in her fight for education and equality for girls. Despite being shot by the Taliban, she has continued her activism and has become a leading voice for girls’ education.

Of course, these are just a few examples of individuals who embody the concept of grit, and there are countless others who are pursuing their goals with determination and perseverance in today’s world.

FICTIONAL GRIT ROLE MODELS

Here are a few movie characters who embody the concept of grit:

Rocky Balboa (Rocky series) – The character of Rocky Balboa is a classic example of grit and determination. Despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges, he continues to pursue his goal of becoming a successful boxer with unwavering determination.
Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games series) – Katniss is a strong and resilient character who shows grit in her ability to survive and overcome the challenges she faces in the Hunger Games.
Rudy Ruettiger (Rudy) – Rudy is a classic example of grit and determination, as he pursues his dream of playing football for Notre Dame despite numerous obstacles and setbacks.
Brian Piccolo (Brian’s Song) – Brian Piccolo is a football player who shows grit in his determination to succeed despite facing numerous challenges, including a life-threatening illness.
Maximus Decimus Meridius (Gladiator) – Maximus is a character who shows grit in his determination to avenge the death of his family and reclaim his place as a respected general.

These are just a few examples of movie characters who embody the concept of grit, and there are many more who display this trait in their pursuit of their goals and dreams.

Clearly Duckworth was on to something—grit is a crucial ingredient in achieving success and overcoming challenges in life. It involves a combination of passion and perseverance, and requires an unwavering commitment to one’s goals and a willingness to put in the hard work and effort required to achieve them. Whether you are striving to reach a personal goal, building a successful business, or working to bring about positive change in your community, developing grit is essential. By setting clear and challenging goals, embracing failure, staying focused and persistent, and fostering resilience and a growth mindset, you can cultivate the grit you need to achieve your dreams and make a lasting impact on the world.