Building Courageous Leaders - The Grit Institute

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in leadership development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shannon Huffman Polson, Founder of The Grit Institute, located in Winthrop, WA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

The Grit Institute builds courageous leaders for a better world. I do this through my writing (The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, and Leadership in the Most Male-Dominated Organization in the World, and numerous articles and essays), keynote speaking to companies and organizations around the world, and online and hybrid training in grit and resilience, leadership, purpose, and storytelling. I also specialize in veteran to corporate transition work, as well as senior women leader development.

Tell us about yourself

I started The Grit Institute over time in response to the request of a single young leader asking for support in her own journey of grit and resilience. I'd already worked in the corporate environment for years and published my first book. I was keynoting to audiences across the country. Her request changed my direction. Today I'm motivated by making a difference in developing courageous leaders willing to take on the challenges of our world today and building leadership and grit through creative and holistic whole-person approaches for success in both work and life.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I consider my biggest accomplishments hearing the life-changing testimonies of people who experience a keynote, read my book, or take one of my courses. Recently a participant in Paths 2 Purpose wrote me out of the blue on LinkedIn and said: "One week in, you have changed me. I used to see myself through the lens of my limitations...I felt defeated...not now, following your lessons, my journey line became one of power and strength versus weakness and defeat." That's the biggest accomplishment I could hope for. Changing lives and preparing people to be the courageous leaders the world needs.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

You're solely responsible, and that's a lonely and sometimes scary place. Finding community in the midst of the work is an important part of success, whether you measure that by your business success or your own peace of mind.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Do your homework, and plan thoughtfully, but don't allow this process to paralyze progress. At some point, you have to leap.
2. Give yourself more whitespace than you think you need so that you're better able to deal with the unexpected.
3. Be willing to invest financially and with training in yourself and your team every year.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.thegritinstitute.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonhpolson/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonhpolson/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aborderlife
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonhpolson/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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