Can it be true that grit trumps talent?

Why GRIT matters, what gets in the way and what you can do about it

What it is:

There are many ways to define grit. Most popular definitions include some reference to being able to stick with the things that will take you closer to your goal, in spite of circumstance and when it gets hard.

One dictionary definition reads: courage and resolve; strength of character.

Some of the synonyms include: courage, bravery, pluck, mettle, backbone, spirit, strength of character, strength of will, moral fiber, steel, nerve, fortitude, toughness, hardiness, resolve, resolution, determination, tenacity, perseverance, endurance, spunk.

I’d like to offer an acronym to sum up what it means to me.

• G – goal-oriented | without a purpose-driven goal, none of the rest much matters. We must be able to identify not only where we’re going, but also why we are going there. Once you set a goal, you must be willing and committed to taking massive action to get it done. And, further, you must know the difference between massive and passive action or you might end up feeling like a hamster on a wheel and giving up.
  • (of a person) focused on reaching a specific objective or accomplishing a given task; driven by purpose.
  • (of a project or plan) designed to achieve desired results; targeted.
• R – resilience | if it doesn’t get at least a little bit difficult, your goal isn’t big enough. So when the goal is meaningful, it is customary to expect a little difficulty along the way. If we can anticipate it … we can plan for it. With a well-developed plan, we minimize the risk of pitfalls turning into setbacks, stress, overwhelm and burn out.
  • the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
• I – interest | it becomes increasingly difficult to overcome difficulties along the way to your goal if the goal doesn’t interest you.If you lack interest, you will lack engagement. If you lack engagement, you will suffer in results and productivity. Find a way to make the goal interesting and appealing and be willing to do it for yourself if someone else hasn’t connected this dot for you.
  • a feeling of wanting to learn more about something or to be involved.
• T – tenacity | steadfastness wins the race. When enthusiasm wains and demands are on the rise, we need stamina to tackle the grind. The grind includes all of the smaller, sometimes trivial, tasks that feel far less rewarding but are absolutely essential to achieving the goal. When the pressure is on, the natural urge to cut corners or dismiss commitments must be avoided.
  • the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip.
  • the quality or fact of being very determined; determination.
  • the quality or fact of continuing to exist; persistence.

Why it matters:

Because having grit can predict success above and beyond talent and skill. And, further, there is much evidence to suggest that grit can be developed.

We see examples of how grit trumps talent every day. In athletes, in artists, in movies, in competitions, in leaders.

What gets in the way:

Let me count the ways! There is no shortage when it comes to theives of grit. If you are not expecting some, if not most, of these things to happen, you are naïve. This is where our character is tested. This is where crisis of conscience creeps in – we start to notice priorities or values coming into conflict with each other and it feels icky. Yes, I said icky.

Things get hard.

We lose focus.

We lose interest.

We fixate on things outside of our control.

We compare.

We react instead of respond when things don’t go as planned.

And, #1, we don’t accept the idea that all circumstances are neutral.

All circumstances are neutral until we decide their meaning. Period. Yet we act as if we are always at the mercy of what is going on around us and believe that we are justified in our actions or inactions as a result. I’m so sorry to rain on your “pity parade” with some truth today.

Another common problem is the fixation on talent. Talent isn’t enough. Skilled over talented wins in the long haul. It’s not what you have, it’s what you do with it.

What to do about it:

We get “grittier”. Through intention. Through practice. Through a willingness to fail. Through managing our mind.

I’d like to offer my 5 C’s of being “grittier”…

• Clarity – it is imperative to have clear messaging around your goals, the purpose of the goal, your personal interest in the goal and the benefit of the goal.
• Consequences – for those times when we are stuck in the “grind” and deciding whether or not to persevere, we must also know the consequences for not achieving the goal.This is important for evaluating the “cost” of giving up or giving in.
• Consistency – for grit to be part of your DNA, it must become a non-negotiable standard that you set for yourself. It cannot be optional. Practice like you mean it and sprinkle that stuff everywhere my friends.
• Constancy – focus on endurance over intensity – especially when the enthusiasm wears off or the pitfalls come into our field of view. Become a model for what is possible and stay the course.
• Coherence – when you are slaying the everyday grind as part of a team or project, you must be able to maintain connectedness with each element (people, tasks, etc.) to achieve synthesis. Synthesis is essential to solving for a collective win over an individual win.

There is solid evidence for why would choose to elevate our “grittiness” as employees, as leaders, as parents, or as entrepreneurs. If you are struggling with grit, give us a call. Let us help you move past what is keeping you from being your “grittiest self”.