The Power of Grit: What Angela Duckworth Discovered

Angela Lee Duckworth was a seventh-grade teacher when she made a groundbreaking observation: the smartest students weren’t necessarily the most successful. Instead, the most successful students had something extra—a relentless drive to work hard, persist, and push forward when others gave up.

Fascinated by this trait, Duckworth left teaching to pursue a graduate degree in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research revealed a critical insight: grit, not natural talent or intelligence, was the strongest predictor of success.

What is Grit?

Grit is the blend of passion, perseverance, and stamina that fuels long-term success. It's about doing what others won’t, failing and trying again, and staying committed to your goals no matter how tough the path becomes. According to Duckworth, it’s the defining quality behind every high achiever she’s studied—from West Point cadets to spelling bee champions.

12 Habits That Define Gritty People

1. They Fail Without Fear—and Try Again

Gritty people don’t flinch at failure. In fact, they embrace it. A study of 800 entrepreneurs at the College of William and Mary found that top performers were those who couldn’t imagine failure—and didn’t care what others thought. They saw setbacks as steps on the road to success.

2. They Keep Going, Even When Exhausted

Muhammad Ali famously said he didn’t count sit-ups until they started hurting. That’s where the real growth begins. Grit means pushing past comfort zones and fighting through the hard parts, knowing that’s where character is forged.

3. They Make the Hard Calls

Firing someone, admitting a mistake, or scrapping a major project—all require courage. Gritty people don’t waste energy dreading these moments. They act, because they know progress lies on the other side of discomfort.

4. They Master Their Emotions

It’s natural to feel frustration, anger, or doubt. But letting emotions hijack your decisions? That’s a grit killer. Those with grit learn to manage emotions—using them as fuel, not obstacles.

5. They Trust Their Gut—Wisely

There’s a difference between being impulsive and being intuitive. Gritty people analyze the facts, weigh the options, and when there’s no clear answer, they trust their instinct and move forward.

6. They Delay Gratification

Remember the Stanford marshmallow experiment? Kids who waited for a second marshmallow had better life outcomes. Grit is all about the long game. It’s doing the hard thing now for a bigger payoff later.

7. They Lead Without Followers

Anyone can lead with support. True leaders blaze a trail when no one else believes. Grit means having conviction in your vision—even when you stand alone.

8. They Exceed Expectations

Gritty people meet impossible deadlines and still find a way to overdeliver. They don’t shy away from a challenge—they lean into it and outwork everyone else in the room.

9. They Embrace the Boring Stuff

Details matter. And while they can be draining, gritty individuals double down when the work gets tedious. They know that excellence lives in the details.

10. They Stay Kind, Even When Others Aren’t

It’s easy to stoop to someone’s level when treated poorly. But those with grit rise above. They remain respectful—not because the other person deserves it, but because they do.

11. They Own Their Mistakes

Gritty individuals take accountability—even when excuses are easy. Why? Because long-term success depends more on how you recover than on the mistake itself.

12. They Don’t Give Up—Ever

The core of grit is perseverance. No matter how long the journey or how steep the climb, gritty people keep showing up, day after day, until the job is done.

Bringing It All Together: Grit is a Skill You Can Build

While some people may seem naturally gritty, the truth is grit is a skill, and it can be developed with consistent effort. It’s not about perfection—it’s about resilience, discipline, and the refusal to settle for mediocrity. With grit, you can overcome obstacles that stop others in their tracks and achieve goals that once felt impossible.

About the Author

Dr. Travis Bradberry is the award-winning co-author of the #1 bestselling book Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and cofounder of TalentSmart, the world’s leading provider of emotional intelligence tools and training. His work has been featured in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, and more.

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