Beatrice’s story

Beatrice is an Associate Professor in the University of Leeds Business School. She took part in a 2-day programme for staff.

Grit has changed the way I interact with students. I feel completely different, much more positive, much more in control.

Before I would sometimes experience a sense of overwhelm. Whenever a student came to me with a problem I had this instant impulse to step in and help, to do something, to save them. Now I’m pausing, taking a more considered approach. When a student walks in I acknowledge that I don’t know what’s been going on for them, don’t assume that I know where they are coming from.  And this compassion makes it easier for me to work with them to figure stuff out.

So now I empower students, get them to feel like they can be in control.

When they bring me an issue I put it back to them. I support them to own their mistakes, take responsibility, think about the options they have. I give them power to recognise that they have it within themselves to find their own solution. These are much healthier conversations than the ones I was having in the past. It’s a way of working with students that feels calm, that feels right.

As a supervisor I’d always felt my responsibility was for students to do well and, when sometimes they didn’t, it must somehow be down to me. Now I know that my responsibility lies in supporting students by helping them to recognise that they are the one in control and that how well they do is up to them. I am there for support, guidance, advice and feedback, but students hear the message that the power to act, to change and to improve lies with them.

Before, when there was an incident or a debate with my colleagues I would sometimes worry, thinking that it was me who was somehow in the wrong. Now I have the confidence that I’m doing the right thing, that I’m doing enough. Now I’m able to step back, not get caught up in other people’s reactions and issues. I’m more accepting of them. It’s transformed the interactions I have with colleagues.

Grit has been empowering for me as individual in the way I manage myself and in the way I’m able to deal with the everyday. I’m on a journey. I’ve sought out other opportunities to do this since. Grit was just the start. Grit was the catalyst.