“Grit” is essential in management

In a world where the pace of change is accelerating and the pressure on results is high, leadership is no longer just about talent, intelligence, or brilliant strategies. An increasing number of researchers and leaders are now looking towards traits such as “grit” — a term popularized by psychology professor Angela Duckworth (2016), which is about perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Grit is the art of not giving up, even when it storms. It's about staying the course, learning from mistakes, and working patiently toward goals you're really passionate about — even when motivation falters, or recognition waits.

Grit and transformational leadership: A winning pair

Transformational leadership is about more than visions and big words, it's about actually changing actions, culture and direction along with those around you.

Here grit becomes a crucial ingredient:

Idealized influence: The persistence of the leader creates credibility. When you face challenges over time, you build trust — and set a role model for your team.
Inspiring motivation: Holding on to vision and values, even when results are lacking, inspires others to stand out.
Intellectual stimulation: Grit involves facing failure and resistance with curiosity and willingness to learn, not with fear. This builds a learning culture in which innovation can flourish.
Individualized consideration: Patience and perseverance make you better equipped to support, see and develop others — precisely because you yourself understand the importance of growing over time.

Recent Norwegian and international research shows that managers with grit contribute to a work environment characterized by motivation, confidence in mastery and development — but also that perseverance must be balanced with pragmatism and support for those who struggle to keep up their courage [1] [2] [3].

What does management with grit look like in practice?

A leader with grit:‍

Talk about long-term goals in everyday life, and do not lose sight of the direction even if things turn against them.
Shows that failures are learning opportunities -- not failure.
Perseveres in demanding processes, and encourages the team to do the same.
Demonstrates consistency between values and practices, especially when it is difficult.

Grit is contagious — but only when it's visible, real, and accompanied by leadership that makes sense to those around you [4].

Can grit be trained?

Yay! You don't get “born with grit”. Here are research-based strategies to strengthen endurance as a leader:

Set direction: Be clear about long-term goals, and remind yourself (and others) why they're important.
Build resilience against adversity: Embrace obstacles as a chance to grow—not as signs that you should give up.
Break down big goals: Small victories provide a sense of mastery and momentum over time.
Reflect on your own values: When you know why you want to succeed, it becomes easier to persevere even when it costs.
Seek feedback: Adjust your course along the way—not to escape more easily, but to learn and grow.

Critical nuances about grit

It is worth being aware that grit does not solve everything. New meta-analyses show that grit is just one of several factors behind good performance. Too much “stand-in” willingness can in the worst case turn into burnout or stubbornness, especially if it is not balanced with support, flexibility and a learning work environment [3]. Transformational leadership works best in cultures where there is room for both persistence and adaptability.

Reflection questions

What long-term goal in your leadership do you stick to even when it comes at a cost?
How do you react when resistance arises -- do you back away, or do you use it as fuel?
How do you show and talk about flaws in your team?
What do you do to balance short-term requirements with long-term direction?
How do you contribute to your persistence becoming inspiring, and not just an expectation of “biting your teeth together” for others?

Grit alone makes no guarantees. But in interaction with transformational leadership — and in an organization that provides space for both persistence and learning — grit can become the driving force that keeps vision and values alive, even when resistance is greatest.