From Adversity to Grit: The Unseen Diamonds in the Rough

Have you ever wondered what truly sets apart successful individuals from the rest? If you're thinking of intelligence, technical skills, or education, you're on the right track, but there's something else that often goes unnoticed on CVs – Grit.

Angela Duckworth, a renowned psychologist and author of "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance," has delved deep into this concept. She defines grit as the magical fusion of perseverance and passion. But why is grit important, and how can recruiters and employers, identify candidates who embody this quality at work?

Check out Hip Hop, Grit, and Academic Success by Bettina Love, who explains that the predictors of success can be found in kids of hip-hop culture. This is real, we seriously need to change the way we see people from disadvantaged heritage. We have done many a disservice by not looking at these untapped talent pools, and exploring the possibilities and potential they can bring to the table.

Grit, in essence, is the extraordinary ability to keep pushing forward in the face of adversity or setbacks, driven by an unwavering passion for one's work and a steadfast commitment to overarching goals. It's the secret sauce that propels individuals to unimaginable heights.

So, what does grit look like in the workplace, and why is it such a game-changer? Let's dive into the five characteristics that define this elusive quality:

Courage: When we think of courage, we often envision physical bravery. Still, grit encompasses various forms of courage – the courage to stand up to adversity, to challenge the status quo, and to persevere when the going gets tough.

Conscientiousness: This trait is all about being meticulous, thorough, and vigilant. Gritty individuals pay painstaking attention to detail, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in their pursuit of excellence.

Perseverance: Gritty individuals are like the proverbial bulldog with a bone. They refuse to let go, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Failure is but a temporary setback on their journey to success. We live by the “Failure Cannot Cope With Persistence” rule.

Resilience: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks stronger than before. Grit provides the resilience needed to weather the storms that life throws our way and emerge unbroken. When you hear my personal journey you will understand a bit better what this looks like.

Passion: Passion is the driving force behind grit. It's an unwavering commitment to a purpose that fuels one's journey. Passion is what gets you out of bed every morning, eager to face new challenges. My passion is social mobility and changing lives, which is why I live for this work.

Now, let me share a bit of my story. I came from a disadvantaged background in London, a place where adversity seemed to lurk around every corner. I experienced physical abuse at home, and racial abuse in the streets, and encountered systemic discrimination at every turn. My friends and family faced similar challenges. Yet, here we are, still knocking on the doors of employment, even though those doors have been slammed in our faces a million times. That's grit, my friends – the kind that can move mountains.

You can hear my personal journey on the Native Digital podcast: Transforming Lives While Challenging Stereotypes with host Hannah Grady Williams. You’ll need a cup of tea, and maybe a box of tissues for this one, but the message is important so please have a listen.

Grit isn't luck. It's not about how intensely you want something for a moment. Instead, it's about having an ultimate concern, a goal that means so much that it becomes the driving force behind everything you do. Grit is holding steadfast to that goal, no matter the hurdles in your way.

In today's age of nonstop innovation, we need more than just technical skills and education to succeed. We need grit, the intangible quality that propels us forward fuels creativity, and powers innovation.

So, my call to action to recruiters and employers is simple: Let's do away with the traditional CV. Instead, let's seek out those predictors of success – courage, conscientiousness, perseverance, resilience, and passion. You can find a wealth of diverse and system-impacted candidates on Bridge of Hope Careers, individuals who possess the grit needed to drive your organisation forward.

Every day, around 20,000 diverse candidates look for jobs on Bridge of Hope Careers. They are diamonds in the rough, ready to shine with their grit and determination. However, they face the challenge of applicant tracking systems and recruitment processes designed to keep them out of the workplace. It's time we change the way we recruit by recruiting to change lives.

I pose this question to all recruiters and employers by way of getting them to truly see the so-called employer branding we all see: If your company were a person, what type of person would that be? Would you proudly introduce them to your family and friends? If you hesitate to answer, it's time for change. Sincerity and doing the right thing for the right purpose should define your company's personality.

It's time to look for those resilient rough diamonds. We've been buying ready-cut diamonds with CVs, not realising that some of them are mere imitations, Zirconia’s and cubic stones. It's time to mine for those diamonds in the rough. People like me are filled with grit because our motivation has evolved into unwavering determination, shaped by a system and life riddled with barriers and deprivation.

These diamonds have gone unnoticed for far too long, but they've found a home on Bridge of Hope Careers. Employers there actively seek them out because they recognise the value of grit. It's time we all do the same. Let's tap into this extraordinary resource of gritty, resilient, and passionate individuals, and together, we can achieve remarkable success.

As we embrace grit, we'll not only elevate our companies but also change lives, making us more attractive to candidates and enhancing our social impact and reputation. So, let's make grit the cornerstone of our hiring practices and watch as our organisations flourish.

If you would like to know how we can help with your hiring practices, Social impact activation, and most importantly hiring diverse candidates, contact info@bridgeofhope.careers

Once again I call to all recruiters, employers and thank our brilliant partners, friends and supporters: James Fellowes, Susan Leger Ferraro, Rullion, Direct Line Group, AB World Foods Ltd, Jacobs, National Grid, IHR - In-house Recruitment, Faye Weedon, Neil Murdoch, Christina Brooks, Matrix, Linda Riley, Joseph Lyons, Tony Hyland MBE, Barry Murphy, Tatiana Thieme. AMS, Ruebik, Adway, Hannah Grady Williams 👊 Stuart Mills, A New Normal Ltd, Meet & Engage, Lorna Bunnell, Stephanie Bishop, Clair Bush, Akin Thomas, Kelly McAlea, Paul Modley, Roxana Siebert, David Leigh, Michael Caley & Rebecca Cochrane, Public Sector Resourcing, Anna Crowe Anne-Marie Amatt, and many more. I salute you ALL as always and hope you find this article useful, Like, share and enjoy. #recruitment #recruiters #careers #diversityandinclusion #untappedpotential

Written By Chance Bleu-Montgomery

Partner Support Manager & EDI evangelist