Beyond the Grind: Resilience, Grit's Secret Weapon

Grit.?

This one small word is talked about a lot.

It is emphasized frequently. And is most definitely one of the critical x-factors in leadership. But what it is? And why is it so important? Maybe even critical, to one’s success??

Angela Duckworth, the de facto expert on grit, believes that a combination of passion and perseverance drives people to achieve.?

And in several 2017 articles on the subject, including one published in National Geographic, discussion around grit and genius can sometimes be intertwined.?

Duckworth, identified also as a MacArthur foundation genius, shares that “the concept of genius is too easily cloaked in layers of magic, as if great achievement erupted spontaneously with no hard work. She believes there are differences when it comes to individual talent, but no matter how brilliant person is, fortitude and discipline or critical to success.”

Eager to bring some context and discussion around leadership in a post-pamdemic business world, I asked Tinsley English, CRM, CIC, CDP to weigh in on grit specifically. Author of Grit, Growth and Gumption for Women: Three Keys to Lead Yourself and Others with Confidence (available on Amazon ), Tinsley's passion for discussing grit is equally matched with her passion for sharing the message of confident leadership with one million women globally by 2026.

Directly from Tinsley English, and shared here with you today:

What do you think of when someone mentions the word Grit??

• Roll up your sleeves and get to work?
• Head down, nose to the grindstone?
• Never give up until it is done?

Grit is often associated with self-discipline and adaptability - the visceral, hard stuff that separates those who stay in the game for all four quarters and into OT, versus those who head to the bench.?

But there is another, less well-known, and what I consider the most essential element of Grit: Resilience.?

Resilience signifies the capacity to endure setbacks and recover from challenges. It's not just about bouncing back, but about leveraging these experiences to learn and grow stronger, empowering you to take control of your life.?

Resilience enables you to navigate uncertainties or changes while maintaining focus.

Without Resilience, setbacks or failures might significantly impact your overall motivation, potentially leading to discouragement, decreased perseverance, or difficulty maintaining consistency in your pursuits.

Here are four strategies to cultivate Resilience:

1. Prioritize Self-Care: Start your day with a mindful morning routine, engage in a creative outlet such as writing or painting, or simply take a few minutes each day to check in with your emotions and thoughts. These practices can help you stay keenly aware of your internal state and better equipped to handle setbacks.?
2. Cultivate Social Support and Connection: Thinking about skipping Book Club (again) or canceling lunch with that old friend (again)? Building a robust support system of friends, mentors, and colleagues is essential to Resilience. It's about establishing connections and seeking support from others during challenging times, fostering a sense of community, and making you feel less alone in your struggles.
3. Establish Boundaries: Does your hand automatically shoot upwards at work or your personal life even when you don’t have the mental, emotional, or physical stamina to do one more thing? Setting clear boundaries will protect your well-being, whether you call it Work-Life Balance or Work-Life Integration. Learning to say no is as important as saying yes to safeguard your mental and emotional Resilience.
4. Learn from Failure - There is no QUIT in GRIT - Get comfortable applying failure to every aspect of your life; if you aren't failing, you aren't trying. I refer to this concept as FAILFORCE, which means you are one step closer to being better than you were yesterday.?

It's about the personal growth and progress that resilience enables, inspiring you to keep pushing forward.

Why choose Grit:

1. You'll be a more valuable contributor: Grit transforms individuals into indispensable and invaluable assets in the workplace. Adapting, persevering, and overcoming challenges make you an essential resource to your organization and industry.
2. You'll be more relevant: Gritty people stay relevant by embracing change, staying informed about developments in their industry, and actively seeing growth opportunities. This relevance enhances your professional longevity.
3. You'll be better equipped to face challenges: Every industry has challenges requiring individuals to navigate complex scenarios regularly. Grit equips individuals with the mental fortitude needed to face these challenges head-on. Rather than being overwhelmed, they approach obstacles with a determined mindset, increasing their chances of success.
4. You'll be a better leader. Leadership demands adaptability, self-discipline, and Resilience. Gritty leaders set an example, fostering a culture of perseverance and passion. They inspire and guide their teams through challenges.?

I will leave you with a quote from my friend Marissa Johanson: "I have learned that Resilience is a major key to running a good race in this life. And this life has given me several opportunities for learning this. I find resilience blends best with equal portions of will, courage, love, curiosity, truth, and determination. Altogether, this combines to form what John Wayne called True Grit."

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Jen E Miller & Associates is a full-service sales consulting firm, with a passionate focus on individual sales and leadership coaching and team sales talent development.

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