In August, I attended the Global Leadership Summit and heard Angela Lee Duckworth’s presentation on Grit. I was fascinated by the concept and certainly could relate. However, the real inspiration came during my time with a client as we were visiting with a nonprofit supporter and community member.
My client and I were seeking the advice of the community for a proposed $25 million project. During our conversation, the community member made a profound statement. He looked at my client and said “I really admire you. I could not do what you do. The work you do is extremely hard and difficult and fundraising is tough.”
I thought, “Wow, did the CEO of a multi-million-dollar for-profit company just say that?”
This experience renewed my interest in the concept of Grit. At this time of year, many nonprofit staff and volunteers are pushing through year-end activities, wrapping up current year fundraising, preparing budgets, and planning for the next year. Of course it’s also the holiday season with events and activities that require time and attention. Just thinking about all the work can make anyone tired. During times of very challenging circumstances, what is driving the diligence and seemingly tireless efforts of leaders in nonprofit organizations? Grit.
But what is Grit?
As Angela Lee Duckworth describes: it is the power of self-motivation. It is the difference of who is successful and why. Grit is the ability to work in tough or challenging circumstances and persevere. It is the passion and the focus to keep your eye on the prize. It is the determination to accomplish very long-term goals; even those goals that may seem insurmountable.
As the year comes to a close and we are making those last efforts to raise funds, meet goals, cultivate and steward donors, or recruit that special volunteer. We are also facing the challenges, obstacles, exhausting and downright long hard days. However, these challenges can be overshadowed by the sheer joy of serving and making a difference in our communities.
Reflecting on the conversation I had with my client and a community supporter; we know the work we do is “extremely hard and difficult and fundraising is tough.” We know that what we do takes guts, resilience, integrity and tenacity. We embody these traits in our nonprofit work every day. It’s the passion we feel that makes us grittier; to use our failures as learnings, and realize that our work is a marathon not a sprint.
Congratulations: you’ve got grit!