The $20 Million/Year Personality Quiz 89% Of Fortune 100s Swear By

What is the Grit Score and How is it Measured?

The Grit Score, conceptualized by Angela Duckworth, measures an individual's perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Introduced in her book "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance," the score has gained significant attention for its insights into what drives success beyond innate talent.

Components of the Grit Test:

• Consistency of Interests: This portion evaluates how steadfast a person is in their pursuits.
• Perseverance of Effort: This part delves into the sustained effort an individual puts into achieving their goals, despite setbacks.

How is the Grit Score Measured?

To measure grit, individuals respond to statements about their behaviors and attitudes.

Key questions include:

• "Setbacks don't discourage me; I don't give up easily."
• "New ideas and projects sometimes distract me from previous ones."

Respondents rate their alignment with these statements on a scale. Higher scores indicate greater grit, suggesting a stronger alignment with long-term commitment and resilient effort.

Significance of the Grit Score:

• Predictive Value: Grit has been suggested to be a more reliable predictor of success than traditional metrics like IQ or SAT scores.
• Applications: From military training academies like West Point to corporate hiring processes, grit assessments help identify individuals likely to persevere through challenges.

Understanding this score provides valuable insights into personal and professional development, emphasizing persistence over raw talent.

How Does the Myers-Briggs Test Work?

The Myers-Briggs test, formally known as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), categorizes people based on their psychological preferences. Developed during World War II by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katharine Cook Briggs, it was inspired by Carl Jung's theory on psychological types.

Key Components of the Myers-Briggs Test:

1. Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I): Indicates where you focus your attention and get energy.
2. Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N): Describes how you take in and process information.
3. Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F): Reflects how you make decisions.
4. Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P): Defines how you deal with the external world.

The 16 Personality Types:

1. ISTJ - The Inspector
2. ISFJ - The Protector
3. INFJ - The Advocate
4. INTJ - The Architect
5. ISTP - The Virtuoso
6. ISFP - The Composer
7. INFP - The Mediator
8. INTP - The Thinker
9. ESTP - The Dynamo
10. ESFP - The Performer
11. ENFP - The Campaigner
12. ENTP - The Debater
13. ESTJ - The Executive
14. ESFJ - The Consul
15. ENFJ - The Protagonist
16. ENTJ - The Commander

Each of these types provides a positive affirmation, making everyone feel unique yet appreciated. However, it's essential to note that skepticism exists regarding its reliability, as repeated tests can yield different results.

Understanding these categories can help individuals and organizations appreciate diverse personality traits while fostering better communication and teamwork.

Can Grit Predict Success Better Than Traditional Metrics?

The debate on whether grit predicts success better than traditional metrics like SAT scores or high school ranks is fascinating.

In the transcript, Shaan Puri mentions a visit to West Point, a prestigious military academy. Here, grit was a higher predictor of success than SAT scores, class rankings, and even leadership interviews.

"Grit was a higher predictor with this grit score. They said it was a higher predictor of West Point success than your SAT score, than your high school rank, than the leadership interview, than all the other things."

This suggests that while conventional metrics are valuable, grit may hold a unique position in determining one's ability to persevere through challenges.

Shaan's discovery of his own low grit score (2.5 out of 10) also touches on personal self-assessment.

"I scored a 2.5 on this grit test, bro. I am in the bottom 10 percentile of grit."

Furthermore, Sam Parr’s slightly above-average score (3.5 out of 5) reveals a personal reflection on mental fortitude and the subjective nature of these tests.

"You got a 3.5 out of 5. You scored higher than 40% of Americans."

Though conventional metrics offer measurable data, grit encapsulates traits that drive long-term achievement. Both perspectives play roles, but the ongoing dialogue illustrates the nuanced dimensions of predicting success.

What are the Business Models Behind Popular Personality Tests?

Popular personality tests like Myers-Briggs and StrengthsFinder operate on robust business models that generate significant revenue.

Myers-Briggs Business Model

• Certification Fees: To administer the Myers-Briggs test, practitioners pay around $2,000 to become certified.
• Test Fees: Each test costs between $15 and $40. With millions taking the test annually, this alone creates substantial income.
• Bulk Corporate Sales: Many Fortune 100 companies, as well as government agencies, use the test extensively, often buying in bulk.

StrengthsFinder Business Model

• Book Sales: Each StrengthsFinder code is sold primarily through the purchase of the StrengthsFinder 2.0 book.
• Online Platform: Offers in-depth reports and workshops for a fee.
• Corporate Packages: Businesses can buy licenses for their employees, creating tailored workplace development programs.

Revenue and Marketing Strategies

• High Volume: Myers-Briggs sees over 2 million tests administered yearly, generating over $20 million in revenue.
• Corporate Adoption: 89 out of the Fortune 100 companies utilize Myers-Briggs, showing its credibility and extensive reach.
• Continuous Marketing: Both tests are marketed heavily to organizational leaders as essential tools for team building and personal development.

Understanding these business models highlights the lucrative nature of personality testing and their effectiveness in professional environments.

How Do Founders Use Grit to Achieve Business Success?

Founders like those of RX Bar and Cognition Labs exemplify how grit can drive business success. Here are some key examples and takeaways from their journeys:

• Persistent Market Exploration: The RX Bar founder faced initial rejections but relentlessly emailed and called potential clients, even offering bars on consignment. This persistence led to $600K in revenue within nine months.

• Comfort with Failure: Embracing past failures in school, the RX Bar founder didn't let setbacks deter his path. He was accustomed to "eating shit" and kept moving forward, eventually leading to a $600 million acquisition by Kellogg.

• Innovative Reinvention: Cognition Labs, co-founded by Scott Wu, showcases innovation combined with relentless effort. Despite the previous project failing, grit led to a breakthrough product that makes coding almost obsolete, drawing praise from industry leaders like Patrick Collison.

Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:

• Persistence Pays Off: Continuously push through rejections and hardships. It's not just about having a good product but also about relentless sales efforts.

• Learn from Failure: Use previous setbacks as stepping stones. Comfort with failure builds resilience, making it easier to navigate future challenges.

• Reinvent and Innovate: Don't be afraid to pivot and try new things. Innovation paired with grit can lead to breakthroughs that set your business apart.

Founders who embody these traits elevate their ventures by harnessing grit and perseverance. This combination of persistence, comfort with failure, and willingness to innovate can significantly drive entrepreneurial success.