Amp Up Your Tenacity

It's a Skill You Can Learn!

Photo by Rosie Kerr on Unsplash

I read an article recently that trumpeted the imminent arrival of yet another Guy Fieri restaurant in Times Square. For those of you who have wiped this memory out of your hard drive, Fieri opened a restaurant in Times square in 2012 which lasted a surprising 5 years after the beating he received in a review by Pete Wells in the New York Times (the review was subsequently named by Forbes Magazine "the most scathing review in the history of the New York Times.”). So, when I read that he was at it again, I was like “seriously, Guy?” And then I thought to myself, “wow, that guy is unstoppable.”

This got me thinking about the idea of tenacity. As defined by the New Oxford American Dictionary, tenacity is defined as:

te•nac•i•ty, noun

the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip: the sheer tenacity of the limpet.*

• the quality or fact of being very determined; determination: you have to admire the tenacity of these two guys.

• the quality or fact of continuing to exist; persistence: the tenacity of certain myths within the historical record.

Now, opening a new restaurant concept in Times Square after closing the first a few years earlier could be seen as foolish, but it can also be viewed as an example of tenacity. Something to be aware of is that tenacity is different than stubbornness or relentlessness, which both skew toward the negative. Tenacity is a different because it is about commitment to a goal and then following through to achieve it.

In my mind, tenacity is an important trait for leaders to build and cultivate in themselves and in their team members. To be determined and persistent in achieving one’s goals is an important trait; it’s a crucial belief that helps us focus on our goals and vision for our business, role, or self. So, how does one become more tenacious? To amp up your tenacity there are these things one must do:

1. ID Your Purpose: This is the essential starting point. It’s the raison d’être, the goal of your efforts, and the target you’re aiming for. If we think about opening a restaurant in Times Square, it’s not an idle thought; instead it is a goal that fits into the big picture of the Fieri business model and that is what makes it worthwhile. It’s not just about expanding your business, it’s expanding your business because it helps you achieve your goals.

2. Rewind & Reflect: This piece is crucial, this is the part that provides the proof that you can do hard things. To build tenacity you must look back on your life and assess for yourself: when did I do something difficult? When did I achieve something against the odds? And how did I do it? What drove me? What kept me going? Your ability to reflect on your past efforts - and successes - does two things: 1. it helps you claim your achievements, and 2. it helps you assess what you leaned on to do so. Perhaps you had skills that were helpful or you had someone in your corner cheering you on? No matter what it was, you will need to leverage these things again in pursuit of your next goal and your next achievement.

3. Plan & Resist: In order to achieve your goal and fulfill your purpose you must make a plan (a plan comprised of smaller, achievable steps) while you resist the temptation to simply stop. Achieving goals and fulfilling your purpose is not for the faint of heart! It may be tempting to stop and abandon your vision. But, this is where #1 comes in, remember your purpose. Remember that this goal, this vision, has meaning for you and you’re worth it. So, instead of stopping, take a pause so you can go through #1 and #2 again. Reinvigorate your purpose while you remind yourself that you can do this. Why? Because you have done it before.

Persistence on one’s own behalf is very satisfying. When I wrote my book there was no on telling me I had to write a book; instead I felt compelled and inspired to write a book. And it took me 4 years to do so! I was clear on my purpose and I reflected on the things I had done up until that point (none of which included writing a book). Instead I focused on the writing I had previously done, the concepts I had already articulated, and the enjoyment I found in the act of writing itself. This is what charged me, this is what gave me the courage to start and then persist in my efforts.

But this can also work externally. Persistence on another person’s behalf is also quite satisfying; this process is something you can model and share with those on your team. Being a champion of another person while they build their own tenacity in pursuit of their own goals is part of being a nurturing leader and mentor of others.

*Yeah, I had to look that one up: a limpet is a mollusk!

---

When you’re ready here’s how you can work with me:

• 1:1 individual coaching can help you identify your deeply ingrained, outdated habits and help you build yourself into the leader you know you can be. A leader who is authentic, confident, and energizing to be around.

• Team Training is built to unify leadership teams in various leadership skills. From delegation to feedback to communication, I have a class that fits your needs. (Paid subscribers get a $50/pp discount on my group class Bedrock Trio* - upgrade your subscription today!)

I look forward to working with you!

* discount applies to the purchase of the Bedrock Trio (a 3-class series for one 16-person group) on various leadership & service topics…an $800 value!