Grit: The Power Of Passion And Perseverance

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The role grit plays in success has become a key topic, spearheaded by Angela Duckworth, author of New York Times bestseller Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Duckworth defines grit as “perseverance and passion for long-term goals.” The belief that we cannot rely solely on our potential, talent or intelligence to achieve success is one that resonates within me, both personally and professionally. The “secret sauce” to outstanding achievement is a special blend of passion and perseverance, and ultimately being driven by a purpose beyond the self. G| GROWTH MINDSET A growth mindset is one where anyone can be good at anything, as it is one’s actions and effort that is the hallmark of high achievement. A spirit of optimism in the wake …show more content…

The ability to confidently set a direction when you have the support of others is not the true test. Having the fortitude to stay the course until you establish the support of others demonstrates courage and resolve. This is a skill I find particularly necessary in marketing where our creative ideas are repeatedly evaluated. Strategies and creative concepts are deliberated. Campaign success is measured and critiqued for impact. Still, to push the boundaries in marketing, we must be willing to test ideas and fail fast. My resolve was tested with a pilot I launched in January, focused on driving adoption and usage of an immersion engine that allows customers to experience various Microsoft solutions in a hands-on format. Given the previous failures of these types of programs, there was an internal bias opposed to this type of motion. I simply had to trust my gut that this type of experience creates a tangible and practical scenario that resonates with our customers. I reviewed data at the end of February that was showing great impact, but I was cautious and continued to measure in March and April. By May, it was very evident that the select partners participating in my pilot and leveraging the immersive experience as a call-to-action in their go-to-market strategies were driving 58% of revenue within the respective solution areas. This pilot has been operationalized …show more content…

As illustrated in the example above, it required determination and diligence to create and launch a pilot that lacked the support of many of my colleagues. My ability to lead through ambiguity and opposition ultimately created measurable impact for our customers and our business. Through perseverance and passion—that “secret sauce” I noted in my opening—I was able to shift the mindset of my colleagues by validating success and driving impact to the business. Through purpose and planning that grounded my own self-assurance, I solidified the assurance my colleagues have in me, ultimately strengthening our professional

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