TED Talks Education Grit: The power of passion and perseverance | Angela Lee Duckworth
May 9, 2013
Angela Lee Duckworth, a psychologist and researcher known for her groundbreaking work on 'grit,' shares her fascinating journey from teaching seventh graders to studying the traits of successful people. She highlights how IQ isn't the sole predictor of success, revealing that passion and perseverance—two core components of grit—often play a more significant role. Duckworth recounts her research across various high-pressure environments, including West Point, and discusses the potential of fostering a growth mindset as a way to build grit in students.
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Teacher Turned Researcher
- Angela Duckworth left management consulting at 27 to teach 7th grade math in New York City public schools.
- She noticed that some students with average IQs outperformed others, prompting her curiosity about non-IQ factors.
Grit Outpredicts IQ
- IQ is easy to measure but doesn't fully predict success across contexts.
- Duckworth's research repeatedly identified grit, not IQ or looks, as a strong success predictor.
Cross-Context Studies
- Duckworth studied cadets, spellers, rookie teachers, and salespeople to see who succeeded.
- These varied real-world settings revealed grit as a common factor in persistence and achievement.