A determined climber scales paperwork in an office cubicle, symbolizing grit in overcoming workplace challenges.

Grit vs. Office Politics: Can Perseverance Really Win?

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Lena Voss in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores how having 'grit' impacts your ability to navigate workplace challenges and boost job satisfaction."


In today's fast-paced and often cutthroat work environments, it's easy to feel like you're constantly navigating a minefield of office politics. From vying for promotions to dealing with difficult personalities, the modern workplace can sometimes seem more about who you know, than what you know. But what if there was a way to rise above the fray, stay true to your goals, and maintain your well-being, no matter how chaotic things get?

Enter 'grit' – that potent combination of passion and perseverance that's been making waves in psychology and organizational behavior. Defined as the ability to stick with long-term goals despite setbacks and challenges, grit has been touted as a key ingredient for success in various domains, from education to sports. But can grit really help you thrive in the face of workplace politics? New research suggests it can, but with some interesting twists.

A recent study published in the journal Career Development International dives deep into the interplay between grit, office politics, and workplace outcomes. Researchers explored how different levels of grit—both your own and your supervisor's—can impact your job satisfaction, turnover intentions, citizenship behavior (going the extra mile for your colleagues), and overall work effort. Here's a breakdown of what they found, and how you can use this information to bolster your own resilience in the workplace.

What Exactly is Grit, Anyway?

A determined climber scales paperwork in an office cubicle, symbolizing grit in overcoming workplace challenges.

Before diving into the specifics of the study, let's take a closer look at what we mean by 'grit.' While the concept has gained popularity in recent years, it's more than just a buzzword. Grit is about having a long-term vision and the stamina to see it through, even when faced with obstacles and setbacks. It's about passion, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of your goals.

Angela Duckworth, the psychologist who popularized the concept of grit, describes it as 'perseverance and passion for long-term goals.' It's the ability to keep going when things get tough, to bounce back from failures, and to maintain your enthusiasm for your work, even when you're feeling discouraged. In essence, grit is about having the mental toughness to weather the storms of the workplace and emerge stronger on the other side.

  • Passion: A deep-seated interest in and commitment to your work.
  • Perseverance: The ability to stick with your goals, even when faced with setbacks and challenges.
  • Resilience: The capacity to bounce back from failures and maintain a positive attitude.
  • Long-Term Vision: A clear sense of where you want to go and what you want to achieve.
Now, let's explore how this powerful trait can influence your ability to navigate the murky waters of office politics.

The Takeaway: Cultivating Grit for Workplace Success

While navigating office politics can be challenging, remember that you're not powerless. By cultivating your own grit and fostering a supportive environment with your colleagues, you can rise above the fray, stay true to your goals, and thrive in your career. Focus on building your resilience, developing your passions, and surrounding yourself with positive influences. The workplace might be a political arena, but with the right mindset and skillset, you can emerge victorious.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is 'grit' and how does it relate to success in the workplace?

'Grit' is a combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals. It's about maintaining enthusiasm and drive even when facing obstacles. In the workplace, grit helps individuals navigate office politics, maintain job satisfaction, and exhibit positive behaviors like going the extra mile for colleagues. The research suggests that individuals with high 'grit' are better equipped to handle the challenges of a cutthroat work environment.

2

How does 'grit' specifically help someone deal with office politics?

Grit helps individuals thrive in office politics by building resilience, allowing them to bounce back from setbacks and maintain a positive attitude. By having a long-term vision and sticking with goals despite challenges, those with 'grit' are less likely to be derailed by political maneuvering. The concept promotes staying true to one's goals and maintaining well-being amidst workplace chaos, which is vital when navigating office politics.

3

What are the key components of 'grit'?

The key components of 'grit' include passion, perseverance, resilience, and a long-term vision. Passion is a deep interest in and commitment to your work. Perseverance is the ability to stick with your goals, even when faced with setbacks. Resilience is the capacity to bounce back from failures and maintain a positive attitude. Finally, a long-term vision provides a clear sense of where you want to go and what you want to achieve.

4

How does the supervisor's level of 'grit' affect an employee's job satisfaction?

While the study did not exclusively emphasize the supervisor's grit on job satisfaction, it explored the impact of both your own and your supervisor's grit levels on workplace outcomes. This study suggests that a supervisor's 'grit', along with your own, can influence factors like job satisfaction, turnover intentions, citizenship behavior, and overall work effort. A supervisor with 'grit' might create a more supportive and resilient work environment.

5

Beyond 'grit', what else is recommended for thriving in the workplace?

Besides cultivating 'grit', the research suggests focusing on building resilience, developing your passions, and surrounding yourself with positive influences. While office politics can be challenging, the study's takeaway emphasizes that you're not powerless. By fostering a supportive environment and building relationships with colleagues, individuals can navigate the complexities of the workplace successfully, in addition to focusing on their own grit.

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