At Jack Laurie Group, we talk a lot about the word G.R.I.T. There are a couple of ways to define Grit, but we’re not talking about loose particles of sand or stone…we’re talking about the Great Resilience Integrity, and Tenacity it takes to achieve long-term goals.
Sir Ernest Henry Shackelton, an Anglo-Irish Antarctic explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic, posted an advertisement for the type of people he was looking for to join his mission.
Much like Shackleton, our team looks for those stand-out candidates that have the ability to be courageous and triumph over hurdles. Grit doesn’t necessarily equate to physical bravery or the absence of fear, but it comes down to having the courage to follow the vision no matter where it takes you – doing the right thing even when it’s “unpopular.”
Forbes defines the 5 characteristics of grit as follows…
- Courage
- Conscientiousness: Achievement Oriented vs. Dependable
- Long-Term Goals and Endurance: Follow Through
- Resilience: Optimism, Confidence, and Creativity
- Excellence vs. Perfection
When evaluating yourself, how many of these characteristics would you say you have?
The best workers and most successful people understand that success comes with the ability to keep going when things get tough and want to keep going when most people give up. What does this trait look like? Courage. Our people, the root of everything we do at Jack Laurie Group, aren’t perfect but they have the ability and willingness to keep their chins up when jobs get tough.
When it comes down to it, that’s what matters and that’s what we look for when it comes to hiring at Jack Laurie Group.
With courage comes the personality trait of conscientiousness: being very thorough and careful. In each division of our business, it’s important to be precise and vigilant. Getting the job done and done right comes from individuals who generally have a strong moral compass as well as a passion and dedication to their craft.
Perseverance looks like what Winston Churchill said, “If you are going through hell, keep going.” While many of us have days where we just feel “off,” perseverance is the ability to JUST KEEP SWIMMING! 🐟
Stop and ask yourself: “Is what you’re doing helping you continue towards your overall goal?”
Perseverance is the difference between failure and success. A person that’s able to persevere is one that’s dedicated to the long-term goals and can see the value and meaning of the efforts of what they’re doing, no matter how big or small they may feel their role is.
Much like perseverance, resilience is the ability to quickly overcome the difficulties you face. All of us face difficulties daily. When we really stop and look at them, it’s important to ask ourselves what the solutions are? How can this be overcome? Doing this with a sense of being light-hearted, reframing the situation allows you to be self-aware, and helps you with your attitude as you overcome the obstacles in your way.
Lastly, passion. Passion is what separates those that do an excellent job and those that are just mediocre. Many people are capable of getting the job done, but those that have passion are driven by goals and are often results-oriented.
Grit is an important part of our hiring process. It’s also possible to develop grit by finding a passion, learning not to quit or when and how to quit if it’s the right time, as well as celebrating your mistakes, and learning from them!
Grit isn’t something you’re just born with, it’s about building strong habits, those daily habits, that allow you to overcome challenges, and be consistent.
Do the qualities that define having GRIT qualities you have?
Our Commercial Cleaning team is looking for individuals with grit. Does that sound like you? If so, we’d like to hear from you! You’ll have the opportunity to work in a low-stress environment with the ability to grow within the company and meet many contacts in the interior commercial construction industry. Come join our team!
