In today’s competitive market, companies continuously look for ways to put themselves at the top of their industries. But what makes the difference? Why are some companies constantly outperforming others?
Most people would answer this by saying those companies have more intellectual/ innovative employees, the newest tech gadgets, or better management tactics. But that is not necessarily the case. So what is the missing link between intelligence and performance? It’s employees with grit, says Angela Lee Duckworth.
“Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals,” Duckworth said in a recent TED talk. “Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.””
Grit is the number one indicator of high performance, surpassing even IQ testing. Having employees with grit means they are in it for the long run. They don’t just see the short term results but are determined to achieve the future rewards. They put forward their best effort, and when they fail they learn from it and work even harder.
The best thing about grit? It comes from within and has been around for centuries. The ability to learn and perform comes from the willingness to work hard and do your best. Regardless of who you are or where you came from, grit has limitless potential and anyone can build it. As Josh Linkner quotes in his article,
Grit: The Top Predictor of Success , “Let old-school grit and determination serve as the catalyst to achieving your own personal greatness. You don’t need another tech gadget; just the same killer app that has been foundation of success since the beginning of civilization.”So what does this mean for employers? If you want to be the best, you have to have the best and that means considering this attribute when screening potential candidates. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, created a questionnaire called “The Grit Test” which gives insight on how much grit you and your employees have and so you can build more of it. It is absolutely worth using, if you’re interested in becoming the next big thing!
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