Grit

Psychologist Angela Duckworth's winning performance is a nice blend of confidence in her scientific findings and humility about her personal and professional journey. Her accessible writing and speaking charm help her research on character reveal much about why people with the same abilities get vastly different results. With studies on diverse groups like West Point cadets, athletes, and spelling bee contestants, she shows how extra effort and long-term persistence--grit--lead to the practice habits and long-term engagement necessary to get superior results. People with grit are also more enthusiastic about the process of building parts into wholes because they love every aspect of their chosen work. Comments from researchers and peak performers in many fields give her discussion personal texture and will inspire many listeners to reconfigure their work habits and re-examine their dormant dreams. T.W. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine