Within the fields of neuroscience and psychology, research continues to reveal the ways in which grit and courage play pivotal roles in the full expression of the human potential. What does it mean to have grit? What does it mean to be courageous? Grit and courage are measurable developmental cognitive resources that allow individuals to pursue their goals, bounce back from setbacks, and tap into their ability to personally and professionally thrive.
In this post, you’ll learn the psychological constructs of both grit and courage. You’ll learn the specific characteristics that psychologists and behavioral scientists have identified to describe what it means to “have grit” or “be courageous.” By understanding the beliefs and behaviors that define grit and courage, you can begin to transform your mindset to embody and express more of the empowered traits linked to these constructs in your personal and professional life.
Understanding Grit and Courage
Both grit and courage are psychological constructs that describe a range of beliefs and behaviors individuals express in response to new or challenging stimuli. They speak to an individual’s ability to show both psychological and moral strengths and toughness. If you come across terms like “mental toughness” or “emotional resilience,” it refers to the characteristics linked to grit and courage.
Both of these constructs can speak to a disposition or personality trait characterized by assertiveness, resilience, adaptability, authenticity, and curiosity. Grit and courage are the personality characteristics that allow you to respond eagerly, curiously, and willingly when encountering new or challenging situations and circumstances. Being courageous in your personal and professional life or having the courage to speak up or stand up for what’s morally or ethically right all rely on specific cognitive and behavioral skills.
Here are some of the characteristics expressed by individuals who have grit and courage:
Typically, individuals on the courageous end of the human behavior continuum reflexively respond to new experiences with enthusiasm, curiosity, and resilience. They quickly reach a level of comfort in new social situations, indicating a higher level of adaptability to different social environments. Adaptability is the result of cognitive flexibility, and cognitive flexibility is a skill that can be developed.
Courageous individuals are assertive: individuals on the courageous end of the continuum express themselves confidently and directly. Assertiveness is a cognitive resource and a social skill that can be developed. Self-belief and confidence (cognitive states) allow you to communicate and express yourself directly and confidently (behavior) in social settings.
Courageous individuals are curious: individuals on the courageous end of the continuum are open to new experiences and typically embody a mindset of exploration.
Courageous individuals are resilient: individuals on the courageous end of the continuum have developed the capacity to bounce back from setbacks.
Courageous individuals express grit: individuals on the courageous end of the continuum are willing to engage in activities that are new or challenging. They don’t shy away from challenges but are motivated or inspired to overcome their own or external limitations. They typically show consistent determination and perseverance in the tasks and activities they’ve committed to.
Courageous individuals are confident: individuals on the courageous end of the continuum tend to have higher self-efficacy, a belief in their ability to succeed that motivates them to take on challenges and persevere.
Courageous individuals are emotionally intelligent: individuals on the courageous end of the continuum typically have effective emotion regulation skills that help them manage their responses to new stimuli, situations, environments, and experiences.
Courageous individuals are sociable: individuals on the courageous end of the continuum can be at ease and comfortable in social situations and with social interactions, though they may not necessarily seek them out.
Although there may be some overlap between the grit, courage, and extroversion, the constructs of grit and courage focus on confident and determined self-expression rather than the pursuit of excitement and external stimulation. The personality constructs of “introverts” and “extroverts” typically present a dichotomy of “types” rather than a continuum of beliefs, behaviors, and action tendencies and are more focused on levels of sociability and social preferences.
Why Grit and Courage Are Important
Grit and courage are characteristics that help you develop a number of valuable cognitive skills. The level of persistence you express when you have grit is linked to an increase in creative thinking, resilience, self-belief, self-confidence, improved decision-making, moral and ethical integrity, improved life satisfaction, and improved physical and mental health outcomes.
Unsurprisingly, both grit and courage are linked to the ability to accomplish long-term goals and achieve lasting success. These characteristics are frequently indicated in personal, academic, and professional success and advancement.
How to Develop Grit and Courage
While courage and grit are described as complex cognitive and behavioral processes, understandings in neuroscience and developmental psychology show that they reflect a set of characteristics individuals can develop through effort.
Before personality traits and characteristics develop, they are first cognitive and behavioral states that are momentarily evoked and expressed. For any trait or characteristic linked to grit and courage you desire to develop, practicing specific strategies can allow you to transform those states into stable personality traits. Sustained effort transforms states into traits.
Here are five steps you can take to support the development of grit and courage in yourself:
Develop your sense of curiosity and exploration by regularly seeking out opportunities for new experiences and interests.
Develop a growth mindset that can help you emphasize the importance of exerting effort and the value of learning and improving.
Develop your self-awareness and self-regulation skills to monitor and transform your beliefs about yourself and your capacity, increasing your level of self-belief and self-efficacy.
Develop your emotion regulation skills to include effective strategies for managing emotions and coping with challenging situations and experiences.
Find individuals who model boldness in their behavior and find inspiration from their example.
By understanding the factors that influence the development of grit and courageousness characteristics, you can assess the extent to which you express these qualities. You can develop daily habits for cultivating both courage and grit. By incorporating the learning and development strategies listed here into your daily routines, you can cultivate the traits linked to these two valuable psychological resources and begin expressing empowered responses to new stimuli, situations, and environments.
Kidest OM is a personal development and manifestation author and teacher with indispensable books and online courses designed to help you attract and manifest what you want. Her books include "Anything You Want" and "Nothing in the Way: Clearing the Paths to Success & Fulfilment" which are available globally in eBook, print, and audiobook on her website and through online book retailers. You can also find more inspiration and motivation from Kidest on her social media channels!