Grit is a crucial factor for success, comprising perseverance and passion.
Deliberate practice is essential for skill improvement, requiring effort and seeking feedback.
Deep dives
The Power of Grit: Developing Perseverance and Passion
In this podcast episode, Angela Duckworth discusses the concept of grit and how it contributes to success. Grit is defined as a combination of perseverance and passion. Duckworth's interest in studying grit stemmed from her experiences as a teacher and noticing the different outcomes among students. Through her research, she identified four psychological assets of gritty individuals: deep interests, a capacity for deliberate practice, a sense of purpose, and hope. Duckworth also addresses the genetic component of grit and emphasizes the importance of environment and experiences in developing this trait. The podcast also explores how organizations, such as the Seattle Seahawks, cultivate a culture of grit through rituals and language.
Fostering Passion and Perseverance in Children
Duckworth provides insights for parents on how to nurture grit in their children. She suggests implementing the 'hard thing rule', in which children are required to participate in a challenging activity they have chosen themselves and must persevere until completion. This rule promotes discipline, autonomy, and the development of grit. Duckworth also advocates for intentional parenting, where parents actively model grit and provide support during difficult moments. By instilling the value of effort and resilience, parents can help their children develop the necessary attributes for success.
Deliberate Practice: The Key to Improvement
Duckworth highlights the significance of deliberate practice in enhancing skills and achieving excellence. Deliberate practice involves working on specific weaknesses, seeking feedback, and continuously refining performance. It is different from casual or routine practice, as it requires intense effort and is often perceived as tedious. Duckworth suggests making deliberate practice a habit and surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals to maintain motivation. She also explores the struggles individuals may face during practice and encourages connecting the effort to a higher purpose.
The Role of Grit in Organizations
The podcast delves into how businesses and sports teams, like the Seattle Seahawks, foster a culture of grit. Through modeling determination and commitment, leaders can inspire employees to develop passion and perseverance in their work. Rituals, such as the 'tell your truth Monday' tradition, where individuals review successes and failures with impartiality, help cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. Additionally, the use of specific language and values, such as 'always compete', reinforces the importance of grit in achieving success.
Why are some people more successful than others? It's a tough question to answer because it relies on a number of factors, many which are out of our control -- like genetics and plain old luck. But there are a few factors that we have a say in -- one of those being the ability to persevere even in the face of setbacks. Otherwise known as grit. My guest today, Professor Angela Duckworth, has spent her career researching this trait, and in today's show we discuss her new book, Grit, and the ways we can increase this trait in our ives.
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