Mrs. Lockette's Book Club

GRIT
Mrs. Lockette's book club will meet again soon. Be prepared for Chapters 5-9; time and date TBD.

The following are the discussion questions for our next meeting.

CCA Grit Book Club-2nd Meeting

1. Duckworth identifies four characteristics that particularly gritty people tend to have: interest in what they do, the capacity to practice, a sense of purpose in their work, and hope for the future (page 91). Can you think of any examples in this book, from Olympic athletes to schoolchildren, who exhibit or don’t exhibit these qualities? From your own life?


2. In Chapter 5, Duckworth describes the maturity principle in relation to grit. Grit can change as a function of the cultural era in which we grow up, or grit can increase as one ages. Where in your organization have you seen grit change? Is it a result of culture or age?

3. In Chapter 6, Duckworth introduces another component of grit, interest. People perform better at work when what they do interests them. What is the relationship between passion and interest? How can one instill interest in their employees to further increase their passion for what they do?


4.Do you think passion is necessary to have a happy or successful career? What do you make of the formula that passion is built through discovery, development, and then deepening?


5. In Chapter 7, Duckworth discusses a different perspective on practice as it relates to grit. Practice is something experts use to work on their stretch goal, allowing them to zero in on one narrow aspect of their overall performance. In what areas of your leadership can you practice to reach your stretch goal?


6.What distinguishes deliberate practice from other kinds of practice? Do you believe deliberate practice and flow are incompatible?


7. In Chapter 8, Duckworth introduces purpose to her grit study. When thinking about challenges you have had, Duckworth claims that overcoming these, and the goals you achieved were connected to the benefit of other people. Where have other people benefitted in the midst of the challenges, or goals you achieved?


8. Consider the parable of the bricklayers (page 149). Is it possible for everyone to treat their job like a “calling”? What social forces prevent or encourage that possibility?


9.In Chapter 9, Duckworth recommends teaching yourself hope by using the following

Growth-mindset⇒optimistic self-talk⇒perseverance over adversity

Taking each step above, what can you do to boost each one?


10.  What distinguishes a growth from a fixed mindset? Do you believe intelligence is something that can change over a lifetime?