Grit, The Best Predictor of Success
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 4:21PM I read this article from the New York Times called What if the Secret to Success is Failure. It was published last fall and has been blogged, podcasted and commented on inumerable times since. Among the many take-aways is the finding that grit, the ability to stick to something and overcome obstacles in the face of adversity, is better than GPA or college pedigree at predicting who will make a difference. It got me to thinking that this concept of grit, determination, perseverance, or whatever it is called is most often the trait exemplified by the protaganist on the inspirational big screen. I've linked up a few examples below.
I was talking with some other firm owners this week. While discussing what our ideal customer looks like this idea of optimism and determination came up. It is not surprising that we want to see this in our customers. It is a value we all aspire to. We want to see it not only in ourselves but in our friends, in our family members and in those people that we encounter every day. The greatest thing about the research reported in the Times article is that it excludes no one. In fact, those who have the odds against them are in the position of greatest opportunity. It is they who can demonstrate grit. The people you encounter who seem to be at the bottom, weighed down by a mountain of circumstances that argue against their eventual success, are the ones poised to surprise you. And if you are the one under the mountain? Take heart. No one finishes your story but you. Start writing.
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Los Angeles, California: The accountancy firm of Jennings, Steine & Co. has been rocked in recent times by the death of their matriarch, Deirdre Steine. And now, a lawsuit filed by an ex-employee citing flagrant violations of the Employee Handbook and state and federal Blue Sky laws, forgery and tampering with federal tax documents was filed today. The complaint filed downtown alleges that partner, Pam Jennings was carrying on a blatant inappropriate relationship with a yet un-named married subordinate in plain-view of plaintiff and other staff, including her father who serves as a partner in the firm. Following the news of Dierdre Steine's death, several of Jennings, Steine & Co.'s restaurant clientele have fled citing poor management having been mislead by assertions of Steine's continuous work on their matters. Plaintiff is claiming wrongful termination in violation of public policy; retaliation and negligent supervision of an employee. The complaint is detailed and recites that employee, Michelle Silverstein created a hostile work environment by continuously creating an abusive environment ocassioned by disruptive behavior and poor language. To Jennings, Steine & Co.'s credit, they did appear to attempt to quash the disruptive behavior by hiring a human relations specialist, but the effort fell short and Jennings, Steine & Co. continued to allow the violations of their own published Employee Handbook. The firm could not be reached for comment.