Researchers like Dweck and Duckworth are breaking ground in our understanding and ability to identify motivation, grit, determination and persistence.
As it turns out, Christian's struggles in life hadn't made him an unqualified candidate; they actually helped him develop the grit, adaptability and persistence that have propelled him through his early career.
There are 6.7 million talented young adults, known as Opportunity Youth, who are disconnected from the economic mainstream but are looking to combine real skills and real opportunity with their grit, determination and persistence.
In fact, I would argue that these indicators are particularly ineffective for entry-level roles, where grit, adaptability and persistence really matter for one's ability to accept feedback, take on new roles and challenges, and grow into a seasoned professional.
But that was the beauty of the entire process: while my student was learning a lot through experience, I was able to learn alongside him, modeling the grit, problem-solving, and persistence needed to accomplish something challenging in a really authentic way.
Grit, persistence and a willingness to learn are not qualities brought on by owning an expensive outfit or having a degree from a prestigious university.
Duckworth defines grit as persistence AND passion towards one's long-term goals.
"Grit," or one's "passion and persistence towards long term goals," conjures images of the no-excuses, "rugged individual".
The common theme is innovation: putting familiar ingredients together in a different way, to meet a real need, propelled by imagination and that grit of persistence that turns an idea into a thriving and expanding project.
He built his own version of the American Dream, through grit, hustle, persistence, savvy and grounded optimism.
