What Separates Successful Leaders?
Apr 05, 2025
What separates successful leaders from those who fall short? Talent? Luck? A privileged background? You might think it’s all of those things and I believe they do play a part. But according to psychologist Angela Duckworth, the answer is none of the above. In her book GRIT: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Duckworth reveals that long-term success isn’t about being the smartest or most talented—it’s about having the perseverance to push through challenges and the passion to stay committed.
I’m sure you remember those stressful situations in your career that could have crushed you, if you let them. I’ve got dozens of those stories. As leaders, we can take invaluable lessons from GRIT and apply them to how we lead our teams, overcome obstacles, and achieve our biggest goals.
Passion Fuels Purpose
Passion is the thing that has kept me standing through every Herculean obstacle that has come my way. One of Duckworth’s key insights is that passion isn’t just about short bursts of enthusiasm—it’s about sustained, long-term commitment to a meaningful goal. Leaders who truly inspire others have a deep connection to their mission. They don’t just work hard; they work with purpose. Purpose gets me out of bed in the morning. When I think about the impact my team and I make on communities across our region, I just have to fight to push through. I get so much joy when one of my coaching clients conquers a situation, they didn’t think was possible. The world NEEDS us to fight for what’s good and help people get to the next level. When leaders are passionate about what they do, they ignite that same passion in their teams. We all know passion is contagious and I’ve always called it my best sales tool. People will literally BUY into passion. I think it’s often an underestimated trait.
Perseverance: The Secret to Long-Term Success
Talent can open doors, but perseverance is what keeps you in the game. Gritty leaders don’t quit when things get tough. They push through obstacles, learn from setbacks, and adapt. I call that the POWER OF THE PIVOT. Duckworth highlights research showing that the most successful people aren’t necessarily the most gifted—they’re the ones who keep going when others give up. I often say, “failure is NOT an option.” That’s a tangible example of my grit. Now I realize we’re supposed to fail fast and learn from it, but I don’t call that failing. I call that learning. I still struggle with that Dirty F-Word.
The Growth Mindset: Embracing Challenges
Duckworth builds on Carol Dweck’s concept of a growth mindset—the belief that abilities can be developed through effort. I’ll go so far to say that’s the ONLY way to improve your skills. Leaders who cultivate a growth mindset in themselves and their teams create a culture where challenges are embraced rather than feared. I realize that sounds nice, but I don’t think FEAR can be avoided but our reaction to fear can be changed. We just have to work through it by doing it afraid and having that growth mindset allows us to do that.
Developing Resilience in Teams
Leaders aren’t just responsible for their own grit—they help build it in others. I find it easier to develop in myself than others. Some people bond instantly with resilience while unfortunately others choose to be bitter instead of better, which isn’t easy to change. That doesn’t mean leaders can give up on them, but I will call it out and tell people life is too short to be bitter. If you think you can be happier somewhere else, I encourage you to go. Encouraging perseverance in a team means fostering a culture of support, feedback, and continuous improvement. Not just when it’s time for performance reviews. This is a weekly part of a great leader's job. Leaders who recognize and reward effort, not just results, create environments where people feel safe to take risks and push their limits. But let’s not overlook the fact that EVERY employee gets paid to deliver results to an organization and we need to remind team members of that sometimes.
Grit in Leadership: A Daily Practice
Grit isn’t just a personality trait; it’s a daily choice. Leaders who embody grit show up consistently, maintain focus on their long-term goals, and keep moving forward even when progress feels slow. Whether it’s making tough decisions, guiding a team through uncertainty, or tackling a new challenge, leading with grit means staying the course no matter what —it’s about showing up, learning from mistakes, and never losing sight of the bigger picture.