In this instant New York Times bestseller, pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth shows anyone striving to succeedÑbe it parents, students, educators, athletes, or business peopleÑthat the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls Ògrit.Ó
Drawing on her own powerful story as the daughter of a scientist who frequently noted her lack of Ògenius,Ó Duckworth, now a celebrated researcher and professor, describes her early eye-opening stints in teaching, business consulting, and neuroscience, which led to the hypothesis that what really drives success is not ÒgeniusÓ but a unique combination of passion and long-term perseverance.
In Grit, she takes readers into the field to visit cadets struggling through their first days at West Point, teachers working in some of the toughest schools, and young finalists in the National Spelling Bee. She also mines fascinating insights from history and shows what can be gleaned from modern experiments in peak performance. Finally, she shares what sheÕs learned from interviewing dozens of high achieversÑfrom JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff to Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll.