Why Grit Isn't Everything with Angela Duckworth

Mar 2, 2017

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Angela Duckworth is a professor at The University of Pennsylvania. She is also the founder and scientific director of The Character Lab. She has advised the White House, professional sports teams and Fortune 500 CEO’s.

In this conversation, you will hear Angela discuss the research that she is doing on character with children and teachers in middle schools. Character is not one thing, it is many. Various character strengths fall into three dimensions: interpersonal character, intellectual character, and intrapersonal character. Angela also talks about these types of characters in regards to the workplace. You will also hear Angela talk about grit, and her opinions on the things workplaces are doing to try to cultivate grit.

Connect with Angela Duckworth:

CharacterLab.org

You’ll Learn:

[01:59] - Angela shares some of the takeaways from her upcoming presentation on character at the 5th World Congress in Positive Psychology.
[03:53] - In Angela’s research, she looked at a subsets of strengths in the VIA (Values in Action Inventory).
[05:31] - Angela says that self-control and grit are in the strength of will family.
[06:41] - Angela describes the interpersonal strengths. These allow you to appreciate other human beings.
[07:36] - Angela lists some characteristics that she defines as intellectual character.
[09:26] - Angela talks about determining where students are in their strengths in these areas of character.
[10:42] - Angela believes that these areas of character strengths are relevant to adults, in addition to youth. She describes how these translate to the workplace.
[12:36] - Angela talks about the relationship between grit and character and their roles in achievement.
[14:00] - Grit is sought-after in the workplaces, and Angela talks about the idea that the role of character will grow in businesses. She explains how strengths in some areas of character can lead to the individual being likelier to have or develop strengths in other areas of character.
[16:31] - Angela talks about what workplaces are doing to successfully cultivate grit.
[19:42] - Angela shares some concerns she has with workplaces implementing grit exercises.
[22:09] - The Lightning Round with Angela Duckworth.

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Special thanks to Angela for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!