Character: Grit

Perseverance and continued passion for goals seem to be as important to the achievement of long term success as talent (as measured by grades/test scores). This is an important realization for us as aspiring technical leaders.

So how can we tell where we stand with these qualities of perserverance and long term passion for goals (or in other words, "Grit")?

Angela Duckworth from the University of Pennsylvania has developed a "Grit Scale" to help gain insight on these qualities.

Please complete the following:
• 1) Use a sheet of paper to record your answers to the questions on the Grit Scale (find below).
• 2) Obtain a copy of the evaluation key and evaluate your responses. Annotate your paper with a value for each of your answers. Calculate the average scores as specified for each of the five areas: Grit, Consistency of Interest, Perseverance of Effort, Brief Grit Scale and Ambition.
• 3) Self generate feedback (+, change, ? and !) regarding the test. Specifically: Identify an area where you're strong (+), identify an area where you could improve (change), identify ideas on how you might improve in that area (!) and list a question that you have for yourself (?).
• 4) Turn in your self evaluation when complete. Your score is based on your ability to complete step 2 (average scores) and step 3 (self generate feedback).


Grit Scale
Directions for taking the Grit Scale: Please respond to the following 17 items. Be honest – there are no right or wrong answers!

1. I aim to be the best in the world at what I do.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

2. I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

3. New ideas and projects sometimes distract me from previous ones.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

4. I am ambitious.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

5. My interests change from year to year.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

6. Setbacks don’t discourage me.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

7. I have been obsessed with a certain idea or project for a short time but later lost interest.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

8. I am a hard worker.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

9. I often set a goal but later choose to pursue a different one.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

10. I have difficulty maintaining my focus on projects that take more than a few months to complete.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

11. I finish whatever I begin.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

12. Achieving something of lasting importance is the highest goal in life.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

13. I think achievement is overrated.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

14. I have achieved a goal that took years of work.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

15. I am driven to succeed.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

16. I become interested in new pursuits every few months.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

17. I am diligent.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all