The Grit Factor

Women's History Month starts in the midst of tumult shaking our world this year, which makes it all the more relevant to find ways to ensure that every person has the opportunity to come to the table and contribute their absolute best. Our world needs it, your company needs it, and you need it, too. This month is full of opportunities to learn and connect, and I hope you'll join me for every one!

New and not to miss this month:

The Grit Factor podcast launches March 7th, and the trailer is up-- you won't want to miss an episode of Season 1, so SUBSCRIBE today! Season One includes an Admiral, an Olympian, a fighter pilot and a technology CEO, the first two women Army Rangers and more. You don’t want to miss these conversations on grit, resilience, grace and purpose.

March 8: The Grit Factor: Women taking risks and taking charge, a virtual panel 9 AM PST/12 EST. You can’t afford to miss this panel of phenomenon women leaders talking about risk taking and resilience on March 8, 9 AM PST/12 PM EST. Admiral Sandra Stosz, LTC Retired Amy McGrath and Deidre Paknad, CEO of Workboard Inc, hosted by Shannon Huffman Polson and Shelley Zalis of The Female Quotient.

Register here today (seats limited) https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1016451136384/WN_b1xJEb2zTeOlkEoRP0CPKw

March 12: Shatter the Sky, in person at the Seattle Museum of Flight, 2 PM

I'm excited to present along with Air Force COL Eileen Bjorkman, U2 pilot Merryl Tengesdal, Marine pilot Vernice Armor, and Graciela Tiscareño-Sato, ad be available to sign books to follow! Come out and say hello, and pick up a few books for anyone you know!

Finally, what I've been waiting a year to be able to offer you:

the launch of Paths 2 Purpose at The Grit Institute,  developed for the needs of clients in the technology industry, now with alumni from fields of technology, law and accounting,  is available to you, today!

Paths 2 Purpose recognizes the need we ALL have to connect to purpose, but especially in light of the last two years of challenge. Less than a year ago McKinsey reported on this specifically: Employers help their employees connect to purpose— or watch them leave. 

Now you can experience this exact offering previously open only to corporate clients (and if you want to bring it to your organization or discuss licensing, let me know). It’s even better if you can take it with a colleague or friend, and compare notes at the end of each week. Available as an asynchronous course in multiple modalities, and optional field book for purchase as well. 

I’m especially proud that my business school alma mater, the Tuck School at Dartmouth, is integrating this learning journey into their Next Step program that they offer to elite athletes and veterans, and the cohort just received their invitations today!

Grit Tips for this month:

Finding your purpose— chapter 2 of The Grit Factor (the learning journey of Paths 2 Purpose blows Chapter 2 out in four different directions!) Pick up The Grit Factor and reacquaint yourself with chapter 2.  And here's an exercise for you to do this month.

1. Consider one word you would like to make your focus for 2022. Just because it’s February doesn’t mean it’s too late. I did not do resolutions this year, but rather picked one word; my word for 2022 is whole. Whole heart, whole being, whole person, whole life. 
2. Post this word somewhere you can see it when you wake up or as you work. As you know from Chapter 2 (and soon, I hope, from Paths 2 Purpose!) purpose is bigger and more complex and nuanced— and yet this simple exercise is a step in that direction. 
3. Extra credit: discuss your word with your manager, and how you want it to shape your work and life this year. Set goals related to this direction with your manager that you can work on together. Assess how you kept your focus at the end of each week.