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If it truly is a synonym for grit in prior literature, "conscientiousness" is the regrettable term. "Grit" is far more faithful to common usage. "Conscientiou
by jonahx 10y ago
If it truly is a synonym for grit in prior literature, "conscientiousness" is the regrettable term. "Grit" is far more faithful to common usage. "Conscientiousness" in everyday speech connotes "politeness" and "thinking about others." These qualities have nothing to do with the thing Duckworth (and other business writers) are calling "grit." They're referring to perseverance, never giving up -- the ability to get up and keep going after failing, and to doggedly pursue long-term goals. In popular culture (eg, the film "True Grit") and everyday speech, "grit" conveys this concept perfectly, better than any other word I can think of in English. So whether it was a conscious marketing ploy or not, it's a far more accurate term.
- hyperpape 10y agoI think conscientiousness also means taking care in getting things done. And if you do not persevere, you might be quite nice and polite to people, but you will continually let them down by giving up on things you should be doing. Try the first four sentences of this paper for a literary/philosophical presentation of the idea: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20010216?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents http://www.jstor.org/stable/20010216?seq=1#page_scan_tab_con....
- ghaff 10y agoI agree but I'd add that, for me, "grit" has a connotation of toughing it out and completing a task however painful/unpleasant/difficult it is. Conscientiousness is more about reliably doing things you've said you would do on schedule. The two are related but one suggests doing what it takes to make it through a really difficult stretch while the other is more akin to turning in assignments promptly because you stuck to a schedule and didn't go out partying the night before.
- hyperpape 10y agoThat's fair.