Understanding ‘Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance’ with Angela Duckworth

Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint. 

The main idea of Angela Duckworth’s bestselling book, “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” is that grit — defined as a combination of two aforementioned traits — plays a crucial role in achieving long-term goals. Duckworth argues that maintaining focus and consistency over time can distinguish world-class achievers from others, often outweighing innate talent and intelligence.

“Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out,” says Duckworth, a New York Times bestselling author, MacArthur Fellow, TedTalk speaker and pioneering voice on the subject. “Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

In this 1:42 clip, Duckworth explores sisu, a Finnish concept that embodies inner fortitude, and discusses how CEOs can challenge themselves to foster a culture of grit.

In developing grit, Duckworth identifies three essential elements for success:

1. Hyper-intentionality
2. 100% focus
3. Immediate and informative feedback

She emphasizes that the last element, immediate and informative feedback, is crucial for developing grit. This feedback closes the learning loop and enhances skill improvement, making coaching a vital part of the process.

Duckworth recalls a conversation with NFL head coach Pete Carroll, in which he expressed his belief that “nobody can reach their full potential without a coach.” She concludes with this powerful statement: “Who among us has done what we could do without the wisdom, without the support, without the emotional ballast of our mentors, of our coaches, and yes, our peers?”

For more insights, she explores this topic further in a 45-second clip. 

In addition to building grit within your organization, Duckworth emphasizes searching for and finding it through your hiring process. To do so, she says, look for two outlying traits while evaluating résumés: multi-year commitments and a clear record of progression.  

“It often comes out in athletics, it often comes out in music, but the general pattern is what it is,” Duckworth says, “Somebody has stuck with something and gotten somewhere.”  

In this 1:49 clip, Duckworth explains how to build this framework for grit into your hiring process. 

What separates world-class performers from everyone else?

According to bestselling author Angela Duckworth, it’s not just effort — it’s vision, and the coaching that shapes it. “You are giving the leaders, the members of your group, a mental representation of something they may not have done before,” she says.

Drawing on the legacy of psychologists K. Anders Ericsson, Duckworth highlights the critical role of coaches and mentors in setting intentional goals. Without guidance, even the most talented can fall short of their potential.

This 45-second clip is a compelling reminder that great leadership starts with helping others see — and strive for — what they’re not yet able to do on their own.

In a candid reflection on leadership, coaching, and meaning, bestselling author Angela Duckworth circles back to football coach Pete Carroll and shares a powerful lesson inspired by his brief retirement: “Nobody can be what they could be without a coach.”

Drawing on both that and the wisdom of psychologist Viktor Frankl, Duckworth explores how we find purpose — through our work, our response to suffering and, most profoundly, through love.

This heartfelt message resonates deeply with Vistage Chairs and the CEOs they support.

In this 2-minute clip, watch Duckworth connect the dots between mentorship, growth and the transformative power of believing in what others “are not yet, but can be.”

Be sure to watch the full discussion with Duckworth (member login required) to learn how to be a grittier and more successful person at home, in the office and as a leader.

Related Resources

The 6 Habits of World-Class CEOs 

Building ‘Atomic Habits’ with James Clear: How to get 1% better every day  

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