Grit and Coachability improve Leadership effectiveness but rare leaders have both traits!
Nicolas BEHBAHANI
Global People Analytics & HR Data Leader - People & Culture | Strategical People Analytics Design
??Enter GRIT and COACHABILTY, two distinct yet increasingly popular leadership behaviors at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Improvement in both coachability and grit had a substantial influence on overall leadership effectiveness. Leaders who actively sought feedback and embraced change while staying determined and focused on their goals experienced the most significant advancements in their abilities. On the other hand, those who neglected either trait showed less progress in their leadership effectiveness. But leaders who harmonize the tenacity of courage with the humility of coachability are rare (only 16.6%). Embracing both traits can lead to substantial growth and transformation in leaders, driving them toward long-term achievement and success. The more effective the leader, the higher the engagement, according to a new interesting research published by Zenger Folkman using data from 6,008 leaders and 118,031 other leaders who underwent 360-degree assessments
?Definition of Grit and Coachability: The Power of Dual Enhancement
Researchers define both behaviors as Grit embodies unyielding determination and unwavering drive, while coachability reflects an individual’s openness to seeking feedback and embracing change.
At first glance, one might assume that grit would single-handedly dominate the effectiveness equation. After all, determination and drive are essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving success. Yet, an overly determined leader might disregard critical feedback, leading them to forge ahead on the wrong path or ignore negative consequences.
?Relationship between Grit and Coachability and leadership effectiveness
Researchers assessed the improvement in overall leadership effectiveness alongside significant advancements in both traits. Researchers classified effectiveness into 5 levels and measured the degree of improvement or stagnation in each dimension.
?? They found that improvement in both coachability and grit had a substantial influence on overall leadership effectiveness.
Researchers noticed that effective leadership improvement comes from having both grit and coachability. Leaders often charge ahead with their plans, only to realize later that adjustments are needed. Coachability helps leaders understand the effects of their actions and makes their efforts more focused and powerful. Overall, combining grit and coachability leads to significant leadership enhancement.
?Minority of leaders are in the top quartile in both coachability and grit
Researchers found that only 16.6% of leaders occupied the top quartile in both coachability and grit.
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?? Researchers highlight that this revelation underscores a real need in leadership landscape: the scarcity of leaders who embody both boldness and an unwavering openness to input.
They yearn for leaders who not only fearlessly pursue excellence but also actively seek the perspectives of others.
?The direct correlation between employee engagement and leadership effectiveness
Researchers examined the improvement efforts of leaders and the impact on the engagement level of direct reports.
??Both grit and coachability influence improved engagement. However, when both improved, engagement went up significantly.
Researchers conclude that how can leaders project strength and unwavering resolve while simultaneously signaling a receptiveness to constructive insights? Striking this delicate balance can prove challenging, as leaders often lean towards one trait at the expense of the other.
The key to successful improvement efforts is a combination of grit (hard work, determination, and passion) and coachability (checking in with others on the impact of your efforts to improve)
?? As organizations seek to nurture their future leaders, recognizing the importance of these characteristics will undoubtedly foster a more effective and resilient leadership culture.
Thank you ?? Zenger Folkman researchers team for these insightful findings:
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Strategic HR Leader with Executive Program in HR Management
1 年Certainly, both grit and coaching fundamentally involve resilience, perseverance, and a focus on long-term goals. A person with grit displays passion and commitment, and coaching supports these qualities by guiding, motivating, and helping individuals consistently strive towards their chosen goals.
Executive Team Effectiveness Coach & Advisor | Leadership Coach | Master Facilitator | Talent Enablement Expert | Speaker
1 年Thanks for sharing this article and research, and it's a fascinating combination to consider. It's important to point out that there can be a point when grit as a trait, especially in a leader who is not self-aware, can become detrimental. As a responded to in a comment in this string, when it reaches the point of diminishing returns, the right choice may be to step back, to NOT keep driving. This takes an exceptionally self-aware leader, one who recognizes how tightly their identify might be tied to goal fulfillment. And, of course, this is where the support of a strong coach, and a framework from which to discuss these concepts (I use and love the Leadership Circle Profile and EQi-2.0) can be invaluable. Coincidental timing, as early this week I wrote a post about recognizing when it no longer makes sense to keep driving towards a goal: https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/cynthiamfarrell_are-you-a-goal-oriented-leader-who-always-activity-7107354855609954304-tq7Q?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Transforming Capability - Ops leaders to frontline teams. Warm, supportive and Systemic Coach, Facilitator, Teacher - expertise across ESG, HSE, Risk & Stakeholder engagement
1 年Thx Nicolas. And you know what. If we look at what appear to be very different or even contradictory or oppositional traits, then yes it can look like they’re difficult to balance or combine. BUT, that is only if we compare them laterally. If INSTEAD, we view them as one left branch and one right branch of a tree, and then track DOWN to where they join at the trunk, and how that aligns and connects all the way down into the roots, we might find they share a common root: The ability we all have access to - to consciously separate our ego from our heart - at will. IME it’s THAT ability that’s probably the single most important root-driver of all sorts of otherwise juxtaposed characteristics. That when combined instead of negated - can become a rare ‘superpower’.
CEO at teambuilding.com ? Let's make work happier!
1 年Being open to change and coaching as a leader with the grit to see it through is what makes a standout business.
Speaker, Author, Professor, Thought Partner on Human Capability (talent, leadership, organization, HR)
1 年Nicolas BEHBAHANI Thanks for sharing this research. Joe Folkman and Jack Zenger have done. They continue to do some of the most insightful research on how to be an "extraordinary" leader. Having grit and being coachable is a wonderful combination that leads to effectiveness. Grit implies resilience, persistence, and patience an coachability implies humble, teachable, and adaptable. Sad it is only 16% of sample, but knowing the result, this may improve. Thanks again for sharing.