The Character of A Leader: Grit


    

    Grit can be described in many different ways to characterize someone who overcomes adversity or challenges. For the purposes of this discussion, and as it pertains to leadership, I want to define it as a single purposed motivation to pursue long-term goals with a sustained effort regardless of obstacles. The belief being "Grit" is the one attribute that a leader needs to reflect to their followers to ensure long-term pursuit of success throughout an organization. Your level of "Grit" is something within your control as a leader and can permeate within a culture of the organization.

    Many of the other attributes, attitudes, or talents may be out of the realm of your control as a leader.  However, if a leader reflects characteristics of grit, then the followers will mirror those characteristics.  Together they will portray a level of confidence with an understanding that having a single purposed sustained effort regardless of the obstacles will prove effective for all in the organization. The level of "Grit" one carries themselves with is under our control as leaders. First, one must recognize this as a true statement and accept that while skill and talent can expedite us to the finish line, the persistence of grit is well entrenched in practice and continuous organizational longevity. Keeping this in mind, one should think of talent and grit in a tortoise versus hare comparison. More often than not, slow and steady wins the race. Furthermore, as the saying goes, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."  This exemplifies the meaning behind being a gritty leader. 

     In order for leaders to reflect attributes of grit to their followers they must endeavor to pursue a worthy purpose. This means followers and stakeholders must feel as if the efforts being made by the team or organization are worthwhile and meaningful. What you are doing or attempting to do has a higher purpose. As tasks involving the big picture long-term plan present themselves leadership must work to put more effort into more difficult tasks rather than give up or skip steps in process. Within a team this means staying consistent and discipline as it pertains to the coaching or training of those within the team or organization instead of a policy of replacement.         

    Do the work that's hard to do and not what's fast and easy. In the event that the organization meets adversity or failure, leadership's grit must undertake this as a learning opportunity and respond to the failure with more effort and determination. Gritty leaders see failure as part of the process of success and not the opportunity for a complete overhaul.     

    Based on experiences within your organizations, what are your thoughts as it pertains to leadership characteristics. How would you rate "Grit" among those leadership characteristics? Can you provide examples of grit you have witnessed from leaders?  Please take a moment to share your thoughts in the comment section below.     

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