Grit Can Be A Dirty Word

Lately, my LinkedIn feed has been full of posts about “grit.” ?The concept has become a rallying cry—almost a badge of honor worn by those who refuse to give up. But what exactly is grit, and how does it intersect with effective leadership? Let’s explore the nuances.

Grit, at its core, embodies a combination of perseverance and passion—the unwavering commitment to long-term goals.

Yet, here lies the paradox: Some mistake grit for blind perseverance, assuming that relentless effort alone will propel them to success.

This is the stuff that irks me when I see it plastered all over social media.

In reality, true grit is more than that. It involves a balance between persistence and flexibility.

Listen, I can persevere like the best of them. It’s one of my top overdone strengths. If I like or love you, you’ve probably seen me as stubborn at one point in the past. I don’t mean to be — yet I sometimes have to remind myself that relentless effort and persistence are not always the right tools for the job.

In fact, some of the best business decisions I’ve ever made have involved giving up something that wasn’t working.

Those decisions were sometimes hard, especially when I cared deeply about something or believed in something so much. But ultimately it came down to my emotional (and sometimes physical) well-being.

That’s right—overemphasizing grit without considering well-being can lead to burnout.

Now, grit has its place. It certainly is a valuable part of a larger leadership puzzle. The most effective leaders combine it with adaptability, skill development, emotional intelligence, and a holistic view of well-being.

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Looking to sharpen your emotional intelligence and leadership communication skills? I can help. Let’s talk.

The Coaches Are In: Stepping Outside of Your Comfort Zone

Last week I had a fantastic discussion with Tony Martignetti for my "Coaches Are In" series.

We dove into the topic of "Stepping Outside of Your Comfort Zone" with some great questions from our audience. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:

1. Embracing discomfort leads to growth: Stepping outside of your boundaries can be scary, but the fear is often unfounded. Letting go of the attachment to comfort zones and understanding the measured risks involved can open up new opportunities for growth.

2. Overcoming the fear of failure: When taking risks, it's crucial to find motivating factors to overcome the fear. Talking out your concerns, reframing the situation, and recognizing the potential benefits of action over inaction can help in overcoming the fear of failure.

3. The role of vulnerability in leadership: Embracing vulnerability and authenticity as a leader allows for openness, connection, and the opportunity to learn from those around you. Being comfortable with not having all the answers and asking for support can lead to stronger leadership and personal growth.

Thank you to everyone who submitted questions for the episode. If you'd like to tune in and catch the full discussion, head over to my website!

Connection

It's an essential part of the human experience.

We have so many tools today to help us stay connected. Yet, I'd argue that many teams are more disconnected than ever.

What can you do today as a leader — to help your people feel seen and heard? To feel more connected to their work, to their teammates, to you, and to the vision of your organization?

Sometimes it's something simple that can make all the difference.

Look for it.

And do it.

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I decided to write about connection over the past weekend during a drive (a favorite pastime). Shifting the gears and feeling connected to the car, the road, and my own thoughts.

Pardon the clichés, but… Sometimes back to basics is just what the doctor ordered.

Get more leadership communication tips and tricks on my blog — and reach out to me to discuss how my leadership development, interpersonal communication, and presentation skills coaching and training can help you or your team.