5 Ways Leaders Build Grit Muscles

I have a wonderful friend who contacted COVID pneumonia. He found himself in the ICU in a very critical state– struggling and battling for every breath. Lying alone in the cold hospital bed, they informed him, "unless things turn around in the next 24 hours, we'll have to place you on a ventilator". Scared and uncertain, he became determined to focus on one breath at a time. Thankfully, things turned around and days later, he was released from the hospital. Still in recovery, he admitted it was the faith and prayers of others, especially the sheer grit that got him through the darkest hours.?

Pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth's research at the University of Pennsylvania identifies grit as the secret to outstanding achievements. Think of that for a moment. It's not your talent, IQ, technical skills, title, wealth, charisma, or who you know. IT'S GRIT– the ability to work hard for a long period of time towards a goal. To persevere. To overcome. To keep moving forward in the face of adversity, failure, sickness, loneliness, relational conflict, and obstacles.

Here's what I know:

• Success doesn't happen overnight.
• Anything worthwhile takes time to build.
• We all face quitting points.
• Setbacks come right before breakthroughs.
• Positive leaders refuse to quit.
• It sure is sweet when you outlast your biggest critics.

I go to the gym on a regular basis and I realized something 30 years ago:?resistance builds muscles.?We need to build our grit muscles.

As Clemson University Head Coach Dabo Swinney once said, "Don't worry about criticism from people that you won't seek advice from."

Here's to your grit and?success!

–Steve

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