Building Grit in Teams: A Manager's Guide

Look, as a co-founder of GritWorks, I don't beat around the bush. I've seen too many teams fold under pressure because they lacked that unbreakable drive. My time playing collegiate baseball taught me one thing: grit isn't optional—it's what gets you through nine innings of grind, bad calls, and injuries. You strike out? You get back up and swing harder next time. That's the mindset I'm bringing to GritWorks, and it's what our platform is built to instill in teams like yours.

Grit Defined: Cut the Fluff

Grit is perseverance plus passion for long-term goals. Angela Duckworth nailed it in her research: it's sticking with tough stuff when quitting seems easier. In baseball, it meant showing up for early morning practices after a loss, pushing through slumps, and focusing on the season, not just one game. At GritWorks, we view grit as the core trait that turns average performers into reliable winners. No excuses, just results.

Why Bother Building Grit?

Teams without grit crumble. Here's why you need to prioritize it:

Companies like the military or pro sports teams have known this forever. They don't just train skills; they forge mental toughness.

Practical Strategies: Get to Work

Enough talk—here's how to build grit in your team. These are actionable steps I've used myself:

1. Set Stretch Goals: Don't baby your team with easy wins. Assign objectives that demand effort, like a project with tight timelines. Track progress weekly, celebrate small victories, but keep the bar high. In baseball, coaches set insane conditioning drills to build that mental edge.
2. Foster Accountability: No hand-holding. Implement peer reviews or daily stand-ups where everyone owns their role. If someone slips, address it head-on—constructively, but firmly. Grit grows when excuses aren't tolerated.
3. Encourage Reflection: After setbacks, have debriefs. What went wrong? How do we fix it? This builds resilience. I did this post-game in college: analyze, learn, move on.
4. Reward Perseverance: Recognize effort, not just outcomes. Shout out the late nights or extra miles. It reinforces that persistence pays off.
5. Lead by Example: As manager, show grit. Share your stories—like how I powered through a shoulder injury to finish a season. Your team mirrors what they see.

Roadblocks: Face Them Head-On

Building grit isn't painless. Some think it's innate and can't be taught—wrong. Research proves it develops through practice. Others fear burnout: avoid it by balancing challenges with support, like recovery time after big pushes.

Bias is another issue; ensure assessments are fair. At GritWorks, we design ours to focus on behaviors, not backgrounds, promoting real diversity through effort.

Wrap It Up: No Time to Waste

Building gritty teams isn't a nice-to-have—it's how you win. As co-founder of GritWorks, I'm all in on helping managers like you create that edge. Let's get your team unbreakable.