Only grit separates the good from the great, revealed Character Lab founder and CEO Angela Duckworth during her keynote address Monday morning. She said, “Talent counts, but you need effort to unlock that.”
Before delving into grit and how she came to know the science behind it, Duckworth recalled childhood memories of being at the dining room table with her parents, who came to the US from China, and debating which artist was greater: Pablo Picasso or Claude Monet. She said conversations about greatness, including how her father ranked his family members by talent, were common and didn’t stand out as strange because they were all she knew. Those discussions, coupled with values her dad held about success, formed the early foundations of her fascination with what makes some individuals achieve more than others.
As a psychologist, Duckworth focuses her research on greatness and achievement. In her search for the common denominator of remarkable people, she discovered that it’s not a matter of innate giftedness or intelligence. Rather, grit is one of the qualities that all high achievers share. She called out passion as another.
She went on to explain that grit is about more than being a hard worker. She defined it as an individual’s perseverance and passion of long-term goals. It’s like a “voluntary obsession,” she said. And she noted that a discussion about grit is important for talent development professionals who help people become better.
Duckworth asserted that the formula for achieving world-class or expert status on anything involves more than skills and effort. She referenced the findings of K. Anders Ericsson, a cognitive scientist who identified deliberate practice, coupled with constructive feedback, as common traits of top talent—whether athletes or chess champions. Duckworth made the case that when it comes to skill development, everyone can apply those lessons to being great.
In her talk, Duckworth included examples from more than a decade’s worth of research she’s conducted on West Point Military Academy recruits. She wondered what would lead individuals to drop out within two months after spending years working to get there. Her research confirms that grit is a better predictor of success for an army officer than physical or cognitive abilities.
Duckworth then unpacked the primary components of grit: interest, deliberate practice, a purpose beyond one’s self, a growth mindset, cultivating supportive relationships, and culture. In her closing remarks, she said, “Grit is not the same as being born gifted and special. It is about your long-term passion and perseverance—and it’s not fixed. It can grow, and you can help people grow it.”
Following her keynote session, Duckworth signed copies of her bestselling book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, at the ATD Store.
