Contemplations of a CIO: Leadership Lessons for Developing Grit

Introduction

As a leader, you know that success is not just about talent or intelligence. It's also about having the grit to persevere through challenges and setbacks. In this article, we'll explore how developing grit can help you and your team go on to achieve great things together.

Innately, as a child, I knew what grit was and developed it based on my circumstances. Later on in life I was formally introduced to it, and more recently I came across it while attempting to improve my mental game for tournament golf. Grit is the ability to stick to your goals and persevere through setbacks and challenges. It's different from talent or intelligence because it's a mindset that can be developed through hard work and dedication. Examples of people who have developed grit to achieve their goals include Thomas Edison, J.K. Rowling, and Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs, for example, faced numerous setbacks and challenges throughout his career, particularly during his time at Apple.

One of the most notable examples of Jobs' grit was his experience with the development and launch of the iPhone (Isaacson, 2011). Despite the initial skepticism and doubts from both within and outside of Apple, Jobs persisted in pushing for the development of the iPhone, believing in its potential to revolutionise the tech industry. When the first iPhone was launched in 2007, it faced numerous technical issues and criticisms from the media. However, Jobs did not give up, and he continued to work tirelessly to improve the iPhone and make it the success that it is today.

In his book, "Steve Jobs," Walter Isaacson describes Jobs as having an "unwavering belief in his ability to accomplish what he set out to do." This belief, combined with his ability to persevere through setbacks and challenges, was a key factor in his success as an innovator and leader.

Benefits of Developing Grit:

Developing grit offers numerous benefits, including increased resilience and perseverance, as well as the ability to overcome setbacks and achieve long-term goals. By cultivating mental fortitude, you can navigate the ups and downs of your career and discover new opportunities for growth and success. When you have grit, you're more likely to achieve your long-term goals and stay motivated through the ups and downs. You will undoubtedly face challenges at various stages in your career, some may seem impossible to come back from while others will merely be a stumbling block along your path. No matter which way these are presented to you, establishing the mental fortitude to preserve will present many opportunities for growth and strategies for success as you continue to progress.

Tips for Developing Grit:

To develop grit, you need to set long-term goals and break them down into smaller achievable tasks. You should focus on the process rather than the outcome, seeking feedback and learning from failures along the way. Other strategies for developing grit include cultivating a growth mindset and surrounding yourself with supportive and like-minded individuals.

In my quest to improve my mental fortitude in playing tournament golf and my love for unpacking high-performance athletes' mindsets (particularly Tiger Woods), I came across a common thread: all of them practice some form of mindfulness techniques. As I delved deeper into the study and practice of mindfulness, it became apparent that high-performing leaders in the business world also incorporate some form of this practice. What better place to learn about mental fortitude from than high-performing athletes in high-stress situations?

Mindfulness can help you develop the mental and emotional resilience necessary to persevere through challenges and setbacks. It involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment, allowing you to stay focused on the task at hand and avoid getting overwhelmed by negative thoughts and emotions. You can practice mindfulness through techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or simply taking a few minutes each day to focus on your senses and surroundings. Some great resources for learning more about mindfulness include the works of Jon Kabat-Zinn, who pioneered the use of mindfulness in Western medicine, and Dr. Michael Gervais, a high-performance psychologist who works with athletes and leaders to develop their mental skills.

The Importance of a Growth Mindset:

A #growthmindset is crucial for developing grit and achieving success in your career. It's the belief that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, rather than simply being fixed traits that you either have or don't have. When you have a growth mindset, you're more likely to persevere through challenges and setbacks because you believe that you can learn and grow from them.

Having a growth mindset can also help you see failure as an opportunity for growth rather than a personal reflection of your abilities. Instead of being discouraged by failure, you can use it as a learning experience and make adjustments to improve your approach. This can lead to greater resilience and a willingness to take risks, which are both essential qualities for leaders in any industry.

In her article "Fixed vs. Growth: The Two Basic Mindsets That Shape Our Lives," Maria Popova writes, "The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset." This passion for growth and learning is what distinguishes individuals with a growth mindset from those with a fixed mindset. Individuals with a growth mindset are more likely to embrace challenges, learn from criticism, and persist in the face of adversity.

In addition to fostering resilience and a willingness to take risks, a growth mindset can also lead to greater innovation and creativity. By embracing challenges and seeking out new experiences, you can develop a broader range of skills and perspectives that can help you come up with more innovative solutions to problems.

Reflections:

Developing grit is not an easy task, but it is a crucial leadership skill that can help you and your team achieve your career goals. As I reflect on my own experiences, I realize that if I had become despondent or slowed down at the first sign of adversity, I would have been stuck doing things I didn't enjoy, in environments I didn't like, feeling frustrated at the world. However, by embracing the feedback and realigning myself to my goals, I was able to tackle my next challenge head-on.?

Developing grit pushes us into uncomfortable and uncertain places, but it's the ability to push through the discomfort, remain focused, determined, and open-minded that sets us apart from others.

Incorporating mindfulness techniques and cultivating a growth mindset can help develop the mental and emotional resilience necessary to persevere through challenges and setbacks. By focusing on the process rather than the outcome, seeking feedback and learning from failures, and believing in your ability to learn and grow, you can develop the mindset necessary to achieve your (career) goals.

Remember, developing grit takes time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it. With the right mindset and strategies, you can achieve your goals and inspire others to pursue their own dreams.

References:

Isaacson, W. (2021). Steve Jobs. Simon & Schuster.

Popova, M. (2014). Fixed vs. Growth: The Two Basic Mindsets That Shape Our Lives. The Marginalia Review of Books. https://www.themarginalian.org/2014/01/29/carol-dweck-mindset/