Measures of Success: "Grit" May Be Even More Important than Intelligence

In 2012, Paul Tough stirred up considerable discussion in the world of education, even controversy, with the publication of his book How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character. The book draws on both scientific research and anecdotal evidence to propose that the traditional perspective in education that abundant native intelligence is the key to academic achievement, is only part of the story as a predictor of success in school. The other part, and for Tough the more important part, is that high levels of achievement require a mindset that includes determination, persistence, self-direction, conscientiousness, self-control, optimism, and a boundless tolerance for detail. Taken together, these are qualities of one's character that Tough referred to as "grit."

In the book, Tough points out that children at either end of the spectrum -- those who grow up in comfortable, even privileged circumstances and who attend schools rich in both opportunities and reosurces, as well as children at the other end who live in unsettling circumstances and whose schools are typically stressed for just the basics for learning, like textbooks and never mind computers -- are both hampered by that traditional view of the path to success. Of course, one's circumstances, whatever they are, are not automatically limiting. There is abundant anecdotal evidence of people who succeed in spite of -- rather than thanks to -- circumstances, because they were born with the potential for those qualities of self-awareness and determination that Tough proposes as grit. But Tough's perspective is general.

How does one develop that gritty mental and emotional strength of character, and why do we care? First, says Tough, strength of character is developed through facing challenges, and learning to deal with failure. Children of privilege are broadly protected from failure, and children of disadvantage encounter too much of it in their lives without the support systems in place to help them learn from it. Both of those extremes, and all the stops in between that influence children's learning in the context of this view, need attention and amelioration.

It turns out that the qualities of character that signify achievers, summed up in that short word, grit, are the very qualities that the professional world is also looking for. Companies and organizations want problem-solvers, people who are self-directed, conscientious, attentive to detail, forward-looking, curious and persistent in following that curiosity, unafraid of challenges and setbacks, able to withstand failure and make something of it. Being smart, or really smart, is an advantage, of course. But success, whether in school or in the professional world, is built on stronger stuff. John Wayne's movie of years ago had the right words: True Grit. 

Here's a link for The New York Times' detailed review of the book: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/books/review/how-children-succeed-by-paul-tough.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
  
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