Career NorthStar News - Issue 6: Professional Grit
- jessica9071
- Dec 1, 2025
- 4 min read
Career NorthStar Newsletter • December 1 • Issue 6
In a recent Roundtable, Bridget, Jessica, and I discussed, “Does professional grit still matter in the world where there is AI, automation, and endless tools?” We came to the same conclusion; we believe grit is the human superpower that transforms plans into results, where the human balances time, cost, and quality when the pressure is on. But there is nuance and context here. All of which will help you reach your career north star.
Defining Grit in the Professional Context
Some people call it determination. Others use resilience. We call it, professional grit. But what is “grit?” What grit isn’t, is just running through a wall to get stuff done. Rather, grit is the ability to strategically plan and execute work while holding the line on deadlines, budgets, and standards of quality. Grit is the wherewithal to get things done. And despite some people’s beliefs, grit is not a case of “you have it or you don’t.” Grit is a mindset that can be taught and strengthened through practice and applied to any challenge.
Developing the Grit Muscle
Grit can be built over time, much like exercising and getting results from consistently going to the gym. Grit is developed through consistently showing up, giving your best, and leveraging people and tools around you to help you deliver. It’s important to get feedback from colleagues and leaders on the work you deliver. Then, once you have that feedback, implement immediately into your next task or project. Getting feedback can be a bit of a humbling experience, so you must separate yourself personally from your deliverable. Feedback isn’t a personal attack; it’s fuel for growth.
Just like in your exercise regime, you may be saying, “this seems difficult. Are there any shortcuts?” It can be tough, both the work and getting the results you want. And believe me, I’ve looked for every shortcut to get around having to use grit to get work done. The short answer is “no, there are no real shortcuts” to grit. You may not be able to avoid the difficult journey, but you can learn from those who’ve done it before you. Mentors, senior colleagues, and even tough projects all help shape resilience and grit. A great way to develop grit is to take on responsibility early. Ask for it from your leader. It builds confidence and character and grit, faster than waiting for the “perfect” opportunity.
Grit in Teamwork and Leadership
Grit isn’t a solo effort, though it can be. Frankly, grit can be a bit lonely at times. Other times, your grit on full display is what will carry the day. Grit is ownership, with or without the title. It’s knowing when to lead the team, when to stand beside the team, and when to stand behind the team. And if you think about it, true leadership requires grit, especially when protecting your team during tough times and refusing to give up on them, but rather, support them to success.
Let’s face it, not everyone on the team will have the same level of grit. When you are the leader, you have to take the time to understand each member’s motivations and strategically pair them to balance strengths, like grit. And if you are an individual contributor, we all need to remind ourselves that sometimes grit means doing more than others, leading by example, and getting the win. Now, nobody here is saying you need to be the hero all the time. Sometimes things are just out of your control and you can’t make it happen by just adding more grit. But if you put your grit forward, people and opportunity will come your way as grit is a distinguishing factor between good and great professionals. Also, if you lead by example, setting the tone, people will have a tendency to follow, to everyone’s success.
Does AI Have Grit?
A key question in today’s business environment is “Does AI have grit?” It’s clear, the answer is no. Grit is tied to urgency and discernment of tasks, projects, people. That’s something AI cannot replicate. But AI is a powerful tool for helping you in generating work quickly and is tireless in doing so. But grit, perseverance, passion, resilience, that belongs to humans. The real opportunity for you is combining human grit with AI’s efficiency to supercharge performance.
Conclusion
Grit and determination are essential for delivering on time, cost, and quality. Grit separates those who endure from those who fade. And remember, grit is not just about survival, it’s about the demonstration of growth. When combined with the other five attributes of a great professional (Soloist, Team Player, Problem Solver, Communicator), grit can supercharge your career and open doors to opportunity.
At Career Northstar, we challenge you: Where will you show grit this week?
We are cheering for you!
AL (Bridget and Jessica)
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Career NorthStar is dedicated to helping early career professionals and leaders build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to thrive. We believe in purposeful leadership, proactive ownership, and creating opportunities for all professionals to succeed. https://www.careernorthstar.net/
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