Seven-time Olympic Games Performance Psychologist. Now helping organisations, leaders, and teams with their inner game to achieve self-mastery, improved relationships, and more sustainable high performance.
Grit, that combination of passion and perseverance championed by Angela Duckworth, can take us to places we’d not otherwise get to. But is it always enough? Lucy, one of my coaching clients, learned that sometimes grit needs to be paired with something softer: curiosity, vulnerability, and self-compassion. Lucy came to me burned out, questioning her identity as a leader. Her grit had gotten her through tough professional and personal challenges, but now it was driving a wedge between her and her colleagues. Grit had literally become her overused strength…and then a weakness. Junior colleagues in particular were put off by her blunt communication style. At a crossroads, Lucy did the most courageous thing, and agreed to experiment with putting down her gritty armour. She leaned into that discomfort, opened herself to feedback, and redefined leadership on her terms—leading with connection and compassion instead of defensiveness. The biggest shift wasn’t just external; it was internal. By learning to be kinder to herself, Lucy became a kinder and more effective leader for her team. True grit isn’t just about persevering. It’s about adapting. It’s about knowing when to pivot. Where might you need to reimagine your approach? #LeadershipCoaching #Grit #SelfCompassion
Kotahitanga | Learning Design | Host of The Athlete Development Show Podcast
3w💯 Dr Kirsten Peterson. The more is better narrative starts young - in a world that champions comparison more and more, the belief that 'grinding it out' is how you get ahead has be ingrained. I work with many young people on being kinder to themselves.