Grit Over IQ: Reframing Success for the Next Generation

It had been a while since I thought about grit, the power of passion and perseverance (Duckworth, Grit, 2016), until a recent conversation with a young Gen Z professional, two years out of college.

In working with emerging talent throughout my career, one thing stays consistent: this is easily the most mindful generation to enter the workforce to date. They care deeply about making an impact, staying present, mindfulness, and driving real purpose.

Five principles from a Gen Z professional on how she grows:

🔹 Self-Directed Growth: "My path teaches me. I don't necessarily need a self-help book."
🔹 Daily Consistency: Show up every day, work hard, do your best.
🔹 Humility: You don't have to be the smartest person in the room.
🔹 Inquiry Mindset: Stay curious, ask questions, learn from mistakes.
🔹 Perseverance: Grit will get you where you need to go.

What struck me is how closely these align to Angela Duckworth's five key themes in Grit:

1️⃣ Talent vs. Grit — Society is obsessed with natural talent, but talent means little without sustained application.
2️⃣ Effort Counts Twice — Talent × Effort = Skill. Skill × Effort = Achievement. Because effort shows up twice, it carries double the weight of talent.
3️⃣ Grit = Passion + Perseverance — Not short bursts of intensity, but long-term consistency: enduring commitment to goals and resilience through adversity.
4️⃣ Cultivating Grit (Inside Out) — Built through four assets: Interest, Deliberate Practice, Purpose, and Hope (a growth mindset).
5️⃣ Growing Grit (Outside In) — Nurtured through high-support mentorship and gritty organizational cultures.

When we help emerging leaders ground their purpose in sustained perseverance, we build a far more resilient culture of growth.

How are you seeing early-career talent demonstrate grit and adaptability in your organization? How do you demonstrate grit?