Grit: 6 Ways to Lead with Grit [VIDEO]

Success in leadership takes more than talent, a high IQ, wealth, or good looks. It takes grit – the ability to persevere in the face of adversity, hardship, and difficulty. Growing out of the research of Dr. Angela Lee Duckworth, grit has been identified as a reliable predictor of a person’s ability to be successful in leadership endeavors. Grit keeps you moving forward through the sting of rejection, pain of failure, and struggle with adversity. Watch the video above to learn 6 ways to lead with grit and become more effective in your leadership.

1. Gritty leaders know that even the best leaders experience hardship and difficulty.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that your season of hardship is something only you are going through. You are not alone.

2. Gritty leaders understand that grit can be taught and cultivated.

“Taught” means that you actually have to study it, and “cultivated” means that you actually have to put it into practice in your daily life and leadership.

3. Gritty leaders manifest a passion for what they do.

Gritty leaders love what they do and they are willing to give extraordinary effort to that passion.

4. Gritty leaders work harder than those around them.

That can mean coming in early, staying late, etc. And gritty leaders do not ask their team to do something that they would not be willing to do first.

5. Gritty leaders sacrifice short-term gratification.

Gritty leaders are willing to give up something in the immediate for something that is long term and much more beneficial to the organization.

6. Gritty leaders don’t easily quit.

Leadership is hard and can be lonely at times. Stick with it, and cultivate these character traits that will help you to be a gritty leader.

Do you lead with grit? Take the test to find out your grit score here.

What do you think makes a gritty leader? Comment below! And contact us to learn how our experienced coaches can assist you in leading with grit.

Billy Dunn is a Senior Consultant at The Center Consulting Group and has over 20 years of church and nonprofit leadership experience. He serves as the Character Coach for the Lehigh University Men’s Basketball team and the Director of Ministry Leadership for Word FM. Billy has assisted with the launch of a number of nonprofit organizations and has worked with organizations and ministries across the world. Billy has an M.S. in Organizational Leadership and brings experience in the areas of leading change, leadership coaching, resource development, church growth planning, and strategic thinking and planning.