"Grittiness" that Key Component

In an era of high competition and volatility in global IT service delivery, it's no longer enough for professionals to be smart and talented. New and emerging trends in technology and research are providing innovative opportunities and posing irresistible threats. At TRT, increasing attention has turned to the role that our employee’s personality traits play in successful performance. Our service requires people who are not only intelligent but also possess specific competencies needed in the face of challenges. In particular, we look for a characteristic in a prospective employee known as “GRIT.” American Professor Angela Duckworth coined the term GRIT and defined it as "effort and perseverance towards a long-term goal’. So, as part of the recruiting process we measure an applicant’s ability to persevere despite the presence of adversity. When a person can exert a medium of effort over a long period of time on a specific goal, I know that they have what it takes to create accelerated critical solutions. Hence, we find it illuminating to take a closer look at the characteristics fundamental to GRIT and essentially the individual's capacity at TRT to strive and succeed at long-term goals.

What I have come to observe over the years running a successful business is that certain qualities are necessary to create and embody GRIT. In the employees I have had the opportunity to mentor, four characteristics stand out above the rest. My “Gritty” employees demonstrate:

·??????RESILIENCE – The extent to which an individual interprets and responds to adversity or challenges.

·??????PERSEVERANCE - The extent to which a person is committed in achieving a long-term goal.

·??????OPTIMISM - The extent to which a person sees good outcomes on their experiences and perceives adversity constructively.

·??????RESOURCEFULNESS - the ability to find ways to overcome difficulties.

While all are equal in importance for success, times of late seem to emphasize the necessity of resourcefulness. ?????????

Resourcefulness is having the mindset to look at what's in front of us and optimize what we have to work with. Being imaginative is not always about creating something new, but also, with a little ingenuity making old things work better. Unlike the other characteristics, resourcefulness relies upon a combination of imagination and critical thinking. As we reach far into the depths of our minds, we come up with outlandish possibilities as well as practical ones.?When we allow our minds to “ponder,” we stimulate ideation, letting the creative process flourish. ?In business, it’s vital to never stop your creative process, as you may talk yourself out of great idea. Creative thoughts quickly move from one idea to another and to another, so that usually one of those ideas bears the fruit of genius that makes up for the total sacrifices and losses incurred in getting to that moment.

The resourceful individual critically evaluates ideas and moves forward to a plan. Never giving up, they know intrinsically that when one stops trying before a problem is solved then nothing is accomplished. Their GRIT, fueled in the moment by resourcefulness, directs them to try a dozen things a hundred different ways if that is what it takes, but to never give up the fight simply because obstacles present themselves on the path.

Lastly and importantly, there is no room for procrastination in the mindset of resourceful individuals. For example, at TRT in the fast-paced business setting of IT services, to be successful means you cannot put company targets on hold and wait for the right resources or people to show up. There is no waiting. Resourceful individuals get out there and create their own resources and networks. When you are resourceful you do not allow outside circumstances determine when and how much action that is taken.

While much is written about dedication and tenacity, the resourceful individual cultivates positive change in the workplace through ingenuity. Often overlooked, this characteristic of GRIT seems to create a succession of innovative leaders and contributes to overall better long lasting performance.