Grit is often praised as a leadership virtue—but persistence without reflection can quietly turn into blindness. Staying committed to a goal doesn’t mean clinging to a failing plan. Markets shift, strategies break, and new information emerges. Effective leaders know when to push through obstacles—and when to rethink the path. True resilience isn’t stubbornness; it’s the wisdom to adapt, revise, or walk away when the cost of continuing outweighs the value.

Every leader faces a defining moment—the choice to grow or fold. Inspired by Dawn Staley’s powerful words, this post explores how true leadership is forged in discomfort, resilience, and the quiet grind between where you start and where you finish. Growth isn’t glamorous—it’s gritty, courageous, and deeply human. When you choose to grow instead of folding, you model strength, inspire others, and expand what’s possible for your team, your legacy, and yourself.