Grit and Persistence

I shared a post this week related to grit (in context of problem solving), and it reminded me of a leaving speech one of my team gave me many years ago where she summed me up in one word - grit. I have been thinking about it a lot lately. We had been working on the kind of long-term project for a bank where, we joked, you could observe a whole 40-storey building being built from the ground up before you were finished yours.

When I heard that word for the first moment, my first instinct was to flinch. Grit to me was an 'ugly' word somehow. I had attached meaning to it subconsciously that was about the action of being 'gritty', maybe 'battling through'. Perhaps it felt combative, which as an empath I have always felt challenged by conflict. But in a role where the project goals were so long term, and there were many a hurdle, I took it personally (at first). Those who know me, when I believe in something, I go pretty hard to make it work. Perhaps I had been abrasive? 😬

But she went on to explain what she saw in me and my leadership. She saw someone who had helped create a vision for the project team, had trust and hope in her team, and brought the perseverance to the table to help see the project through. She saw flaws, but she thought they made me a better leader for allowing them to be seen. 😌

True Grit and Persistence

That job, at that time in my life (middle management, big job, small kids, etc), was one of the hardest ones I have ever done. But it was made one of the best because of the team around me. Boy, if I had grit, you should have seen some of them! 🤜 🤛

My team and I are working with some amazing teams at the moment, showing grit - and hope and persistence - and making a difference in their workplaces. We are super proud to be standing beside you. Hopefully we can get our projects done quicker than the (proverbial) construction team can get that building out of the ground next door!

Miriam Hemming Dave Cartwright Jake Treen Danielle Giacobbe Megan Readdy Sarah Marchant to name a few of the oldies but goodies.

August Advisory - augmenting teams who are embracing better risk management practices.