Grit

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Grit: Defined as strength of character; courage, trust, and resolve. In previous posts I have alluded to grit as it is one of the key characteristics I look for in applicants for jobs, organizations I aspire to work for, and teams I have the privilege to lead. My deceased father, a US Marine, embedded this in me as a youngster.

The grittiness not only built resilience but also humility. No matter your line of work as a leader, at some point, significant challenges will come to the surface. What type of leader do you want to be during these times? Rewards and punishments or challenges and opportunities? Transactional or Transformational?

If you have been following my posts or have read my book Empowering Minds, you know where I stand on this matter. Sticking to your values, being authentic, having the right mindset and being resilient, packaged up in grit; an attractive force centered in character, courage and resolve. Not a title, power, punishment, or talking points. Those we lead yearn for more as evidenced by staff turnover in all industries. No amount of money will counteract defensive cultures as opposed to a constructive culture, centered in grit.

If struggling, take a new approach. It may be uncomfortable, but the results and engagement will follow. I know this professionally, having had very low staff turnover in areas being led across the spectrum.

Grit: An underestimated character that will drive transformation and a state unimaginable but achievable.

Paul Entler DO is former Regional Chief Medical Officer with University of Michigan Health and graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Master of Medical Management for Physicians.