This is a summary review of Grit to Great containing key details about the book.

What is Grit to Great About?

“Grit to Great” by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval argues that success is not just about talent or intelligence, but also about perseverance, resilience, and determination. (Full Summary…)

Grit to Great Summary Review

“Grit to Great: How Perseverance, Passion, and Pluck Take You from Ordinary to Extraordinary” authored by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval stands as a powerful exploration into the essential elements that propel individuals from ordinary to extraordinary. In this compact yet impactful book, the authors challenge conventional notions of success, arguing that it is not solely native intelligence or innate talent that drives achievement but rather a combination of hard work, determination, and grit.

The narrative delves into the authors’ personal experiences, both Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval, who, hailing from humble beginnings in the Bronx, rose to the top echelons of their highly competitive profession through sheer hard work and relentless drive. The authors assert that the prevalent cultural overvaluation of talent and intellectual ability often overshadows the pivotal role played by perseverance, resilience, and industriousness in achieving success.

Structured with a series of anecdotes, stories, and supported by the latest research in positive psychology, the book addresses various aspects of grit. The authors discuss courage and the importance of taking on challenges without succumbing to the first signs of difficulty. Resiliency, the ability to bounce back from setbacks, is highlighted as a key quality for sustained success.

Optimism is presented as a crucial factor, with insights drawn from positive psychology revealing the advantages of maintaining an optimistic outlook in academic, professional, and personal spheres. The 10,000-hour rule, popularized by Malcolm Gladwell, is explored in the context of industriousness, emphasizing the substantial effort and practice required for creative potential to be fully realized.

The authors also touch upon tenacity, an essential quality in the contemporary world where distractions abound. The challenges of staying focused in a technologically connected yet fragmented environment are addressed, providing valuable insights into navigating the complexities of the modern workplace.

Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval infuse the narrative with humor, making the book both informative and enjoyable. The short, concise format mirrors their previous works, such as “The Power of Nice,” maintaining an engaging and accessible tone.

While the book stands as an independent guide to cultivating grit, it also draws connections to the broader landscape of success literature. The inclusion of customer reviews, though excluded from this analysis, is indicative of the book’s positive reception, with readers praising its inspiring and fun-to-read nature.

Essentially, “Grit to Great” offers a compelling perspective on success, challenging preconceived notions and emphasizing the role of grit in achieving greatness. Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval’s insights, coupled with real-life stories, create a comprehensive guide for individuals seeking to unlock their full potential. This book is destined to be a valuable resource for those navigating the paths of personal and professional development.

Who is the author of Grit to Great?

Linda Kaplan Thaler is an American advertiser and author. She is currently the CEO & President of Kaplan Thaler Productions. As an advertiser she helped create advertising campaigns that are well known in American culture including the Aflac duck and the “Yes, Yes, Yes” campaign for Clairol Herbal Essence.

Robin Koval is a New York Times best-selling author and CEO and president of Truth Initiative , a nonprofit tobacco control organization best known for its Truth youth smoking prevention campaign.

How long is Grit to Great?

• Print length: 160 pages

What genre is Grit to Great?

Nonfiction, Business, Self Help

What are good quotes from Grit to Great?

“Working just a little harder than someone else who might be just as talented (or even a bit more) is what will win the day.”

“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work. —STEPHEN KING”

“I’m not the smartest guy, but I can outwork you. It’s the one thing I can control.”

“Failure is how we learn—it’s how we develop and acquire grit.”

“When confidence becomes a muscle memory, panic is replaced by peak performance.”

“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.”

“What this tells us is that children who are outperformed may give up rather than fight to improve, and those who do win may not feel compelled to keep trying as hard if even the losers get praise and a trophy.”

“Aristotle, writing about the virtues of hard work, said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit.”
“You have to treat everyone you meet as if they are the most important person in the world – because they are. If not to you, then to someone, and if not today, then perhaps tomorrow.”

“Happiness is not the absence of problems. It’s the ability to deal with them.”