Grit and Growth

Grit and Growth
The Power of Perseverance
 

Angela Duckworth's exploration of grit emphasizes that passion and perseverance are key to achieving long-term goals. In her 2013 TED talk and book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, she posits that passion is not a fixed trait but one that can develop and evolve through experiences – a concept mirrored in Saudi today.

After studying cadets at West Point Military Academy to see who would stay in training; after trying to predict which contestants would advance in the National Spelling Bee; after watching rookie teachers in undeniably tough neighborhoods try to last the year and even improve learning outcomes, Duckworth said – surprisingly – that it is not intelligence or social intelligence or even talent which serve as predictors of success. It’s grit.

Here’s how she defines grit in her TED talk: Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it's a marathon, not a sprint.

After Duckworth’s TED talk, she received a tsunami of feedback, much of it concerning ways to develop grit in our children, because yes, individuals can develop grit. But countries can too. Countries can show collective grit.
 

Grit, in Saudi Arabia

Having lived in Saudi Arabia for eight years, I have witnessed this country’s growth by grit. Saudi has gritty sand, which we feel in our eyes on a windy day, but the country also has a heart of grit, which has can see. Yes, there have been obvious changes – women driving is the biggy. But there are less obvious changes seeping through as well, with the perseverance and passion of the people.

Let’s take women in sport as an example. In Saudi, the transformation of women in sports exemplifies the dynamic nature of passion. In recent years, women’s participation in sports has grown significantly, with increasing opportunities and representation on both national and international levels. The establishment of women's running groups, such as the Jeddah Running Community, and the inclusion of women in international competitions highlight how societal changes have allowed passions to flourish. The Saudi delegation in Paris 2024 marked the first female Saudi presence in the Olympics: Dunya Abutaleb competing in taekwondo; 17-year-old Mashael Alayed competing in the 200-meter freestyle swim; Hiba Mohammed Malm competing in the 100-meter sprint. Women are now pursuing athletic endeavors with vigor, demonstrating that passion – that grit – can evolve when nurtured by supportive environments. 

As a professor at a local university, I see athletic grit in my students, male and female – one, for example, who raced in the recent Riyadh marathon; two on the Saudi National Swim Team; one winning national equestrian awards; one in a recent national powerlifting competition; several female fencers on the national team. These young student athletes are undeterred by early morning hours swimming laps or lifting weights followed by hours of university lectures and homework. They are going for it! Or, perhaps I should say, they are ‘gritting’ it out!

The flourishing of the arts is another example of Saudi grit.

Passion isn't static; it grows through sustained effort and exposure to new experiences. For example, the development of the film industry in Saudi, marked by the establishment of the Red Sea International Film Festival, has provided a platform for filmmakers to explore and cultivate their passions. 

When my husband and I had the chance to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's renowned musical, The Phantom of the Opera, debut at the Arena in Riyadh in 2023, we jumped! This production featured a cast, crew, and orchestra of over 100 members. Notably, Lebanese-born British actor Nadim Naaman portrayed the Phantom, marking the first time an actor of Middle Eastern descent assumed this iconic role. 

Even a look at recent literary and artistic events is heart-stopping:  the recent Jeddah Literary and Cultural Club's 21st Literary Text Forum brought together prominent writers, critics, and intellectuals to explore the Kingdom's rich literary heritage. The Diriyah Storytelling Festival offered panel discussions, book signings, live performances, and interactive experiences, delving into Saudi's storytelling traditions and evolving literary landscape. The AlUla Arts Festival featured exhibitions, workshops, talks, dance and music performances, showcasing works by renowned international and regional artists. 

Grit encompasses more than mere persistence; it involves the continual evolution of passion and the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. Saudi narratives and innovative projects, illustrate that fostering an environment conducive to expansion allows passion to develop and grit to grow. 

Duckworth ended her 2013 TED talk by admitting, at that point, that we didn’t know all that much about grit: 

To me, the most shocking thing about grit is how little we know, how little science knows, about building it. Every day, parents and teachers ask me, "How do I build grit in kids? What do I do to teach kids a solid work ethic? How do I keep them motivated for the long run?"  The honest answer is, I don't know.

But 12 years later, we are getting closer to knowing. Because I see beautiful grit all around me in young Saudi Arabians.

Grit in Literature

Want to read stories with characters showing grit? Here are some options:

One intriguing short story that demonstrates grit is
To Build a Fire by Jack London.

In this story, an unnamed man travels alone through the Yukon wilderness in brutally cold conditions. Despite numerous warnings and the harsh environment, he pushes forward with determination. The story explores his struggle for survival as he faces life-threatening obstacles. His persistence and determination to survive, even when the odds are stacked against him, highlight grit.

Another story that shows grit is
The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst.

This story centers on the relationship between two brothers: the narrator and his younger brother, Doodle, who is born with physical disabilities. Despite doctors’ predictions that Doodle wouldn’t survive or live a normal life, Doodle shows incredible grit by learning to walk and pushing himself to meet the goals his brother sets for him. Doodle’s determination to overcome his limitations, even when it’s painful and difficult, highlights the power of perseverance and inner strength.

An example of grit in a recent novel is
River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer.

Set in 1834 Barbados, the narrative begins with the announcement of the Emancipation Act, which deceitfully transitions enslaved individuals into ‘apprenticeships,’ effectively prolonging their bondage. Refusing to accept this facade of freedom, Rachel escapes the plantation, embarking on a perilous journey across the Caribbean to find her five children who were sold away as youngsters. Her unwavering resolve propels her through treacherous landscapes – from the cane fields of Barbados, through the dense forests of British Guiana, to the shores of Trinidad – a journey fraught with physical dangers and emotional turmoil. Yet her grit carries her forward and her steadfastness never wavers. 

Grit in Poetry

Invictus 

by William Ernest Henley 

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.

This 1875 poem has inspired countless readers with its message of self-mastery, perseverance, and courage. It’s an example of the spirit of grit – facing hardships without losing determination or dignity. 

But in particular, Invictus holds deep significance in South Africa, my home country. It echoes the grit of Nelson Mandela and the country’s struggle against apartheid.

While imprisoned for 27 years on Robben Island, Mandela drew inspiration from Invictus. The poem’s themes – resilience, self-mastery, determination – resonated with him as he endured harsh conditions and fought for the freedom and dignity of South Africans.

I am the master of my fate /  I am the captain of my soul are symbolic of Mandela’s unwavering belief in personal responsibility and the ability to shape one's destiny, even under extreme oppression. 

And this gritty conviction worked its way into South African sport and then eventually Hollywood. After his 1990 release and during his presidency, Mandela famously used the 1995 Rugby World Cup as a tool for national reconciliation, bringing together a divided nation through sport.

The story of Mandela’s use of the poem as inspiration for both himself and the South African national rugby team is central to the film Invictus (2009), starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as François Pienaar, the captain of the South African rugby team. The film, directed by Clint Eastwood, portrays how Mandela supported the Springboks, a team previously seen as a symbol of apartheid, to unite South Africans of all races. 

Even today, South Africans see themselves as strong, strappy, gritty people – people who persevere with whatever life throws their way. Invictus still rings true.

This essay is written by Laura Kleinhans.
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