True Grit – the Most Important Soft Skill
Dr. Angela Duckworth has made an impressive career about what makes the tough get going when the going gets tough. In the Talent Blog of LinkedIn, Samantha McLaren shares what trait the best candidates possess – grit.
High Noon
McLaren describes, “There’s a word for candidates who embody many of the soft skills — passion, perseverance, humility, grace under pressure, and goal-setting — you’re looking for. That word is gritty — and gritty candidates make for dedicated, high-performing employees.” Duckworth continues, “…one characteristic emerged as a significant predictor of success. And it wasn’t social intelligence. It wasn’t good looks, physical health, and it wasn’t IQ…It was grit.”
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Ironically, when recruiting, it often pays to unsell the position. Writes McLaren, “Gritty candidates don’t shy away from hard work (and the stress that accompanies it), because they’ve been through the experience of trying and failing and emerged more prepared and determined than ever. So, be straight with your candidates about the toughest aspects of the role and see if they flinch. Don’t be afraid to unsell the job by positioning it as challenging from the get-go. For a gritty candidate, this can make it all the more appealing.”
A Fistful of Dollars
Gritty candidates see compensation beyond dollars and cents. McLaren concludes, “When you’ve figured out which candidates have the grit you’re looking for, reel them in by emphasizing continuous learning — and by showing that your company has the tools and willingness to help employees grow. Gritty candidates already have a growth mindset. They want to get better — and better — over time, a win-win for them and your company.” Adds Duckworth, “Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals…Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Investing time understanding how grit is a superpower is worth discovering. Find out more from Angela Duckworth in Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.
If you are interested in learning more about getting the best IT talent in the Dallas metroplex, BCT specializes in recruiting IT talent in Dallas, Ft. Worth, and North Texas. So if you are looking for a rewarding career, contact us today.