Why Grit Might Be the Most Underrated Career Skill

In career development we often hear about talent, intelligence, and strategy. But research by psychologist Angela Duckworth highlights something less flashy yet far more predictive of long-term success: grit. Defined as passion and perseverance for long-term goals, grit has been found to be just as important, if not more so, than raw talent.

I’ll be honest, grit wasn’t something I actively thought about in my early career. I pushed through challenges, yes, but I never labeled it as grit. That changed a few years ago when a Vice President at the company I work at led a workshop on career development. She spoke about grit, not as a buzzword, but as a lived practice. Hearing her describe the power of sticking with something even when it gets messy, unglamorous, or slow, truly inspired me.

Since then, I’ve started to recognize moments where grit truly made a difference. Moving abroad, starting over in new countries, balancing an MBA while working full-time, and building Your International Journey. None of these things came from overnight talent, they came from not giving up when it would have been easier to do so.

Duckworth’s research shows that grit predicts achievement across settings, from West Point cadets to spelling bee finalists. For internationals, grit plays an even bigger role. Living abroad presents challenges such as language barriers, career resets, and the need to establish a support system from the beginning. Grit is what gets you through the “messy middle” when excitement fades and reality sets in.

YIJ takeaways

• Recognize grit: Look back at a moment in your career or international journey where perseverance, not talent, carried you through.

• Practice grit: Break down your long-term goals into smaller milestones. Show up consistently, even on days when motivation dips.

• Seek inspiration: Sometimes grit is sparked by others. For me, it was that VP’s workshop. Who inspires you to keep going when things get hard?

We admire success stories but often forget that grit is the quiet force behind them. For those of us navigating international careers, grit is not optional; it is the foundation. The question is: where in your own journey can you start showing more grit?