The Grit Institute · Signature Course

Leading with Grit

Courage, resilience and purpose for the leader you are becoming. The self-paced course built on The Grit Factor (Harvard Business Review Press).

Launch price through Nov 30Self-paced, start today14-day guarantee
Shannon Huffman Polson in her Army flight suit

Why I Built It

Grit isn’t grinding harder. It’s going deeper.

As one of the first women to fly Apache helicopters in the U.S. Army, I learned early that grit isn’t optional. What I’ve learned since, writing The Grit Factor and working with leaders, is that grit can be taught, practiced and built.

Leading with Grit turns those lessons into practical steps you can use right away, through stories from women military leaders who each faced a double crucible: a demanding job, in places that didn’t always want them there.

You start with an honest look at where you are. You finish with a plan for your organization, your manager and your daily life, and the same assessment again, so you can see what changed.

Shannon Huffman Polson teaching leaders from the stage, with an Apache helicopter on the screen behind her

Who It’s For

Leaders in transition, stepping into bigger roles or navigating uncertainty

High achievers who want to stop running on empty

Leaders of people, of change, of excellence, in any sector

The Grit Triad

Three phases, from The Grit Factor.

01

Commit

Understand yourself and your own foundations for leadership and grit.

02

Learn

Build your team, practice active listening, and form the mindset and habits that grow grit and resilience.

03

Launch

Stay grounded in the past, engaged in the present, and move toward the future with audacity, authenticity and adaptability.

“

One week in, you’ve already transformed me. I used to look at myself through the lens of my limitations. Now I understand myself through the lens of strength and opportunity.

Eric, military veteran and executive leader, on Leading with Grit
“

Shannon has a unique ability to connect veterans and civilians alike through shared values of courage, resilience, and purpose. If your organisation is looking for someone who can bridge experiences, build connection, and challenge people to grow, Shannon is that person.

Andrew Nathan, Military at Microsoft ERG, on working with Shannon

Inside the Course

Six modules. Every lesson open the day you enroll.

Video lessons, downloadable worksheets and readings, a short quiz after each phase of the Triad, and the Taking Stock assessment at the start and again at the end.

01Course IntroductionStart here
  • Welcome
  • Taking Stock: your starting assessment
  • About Your Guide
  • Course Outline
02CommitKnow what you stand on
  • Crafting Your Journey Line
  • Owning Your Story
  • Drill Down to Core Purpose
  • Commit quiz
03LearnBuild the team and the habits
  • Build Your Team
  • Listen Like a Leader
  • Build Your Resilience
  • Learn quiz
04LaunchMove forward
  • Turn Your Nose to Face the Wind
  • Audacity and Authenticity
  • Above All, Be Adaptable
  • Launch quiz
05Activate and IntegrateTake it into your work
  • Connect to Your Organization
  • Activate with Your Manager
  • Integrate with Daily Life
06Course Wrap UpMeasure the change
  • Wrapping Things Up
  • Taking Stock: your closing assessment
  • Certification
  • Resources

Launch Price

$997 $497

Through November 30. Then $797.

  • Self-paced video modules, about 15 hours in all
  • Story-based lessons from women military leaders
  • Downloadable worksheets and readings
  • Taking Stock assessment, before and after
  • Personalized action planning for your organization, your manager and your daily life
  • A private online community
  • Leading with Grit certificate

Bonus: a private 30-minute call with Shannon on your own leadership challenge.

Enroll now
14

Fourteen-day guarantee

Participate fully for two weeks. If it isn’t the right fit, write to shannon@thegritinstitute.com and we’ll refund you.

Questions

Before you enroll.

When does it start?

The moment you enroll. Every module is open right away, and you go at your own pace.

How much time will it take?

About 15 hours in all. Many leaders take it a module or two a week.

Is it only for military leaders?

No. The stories come from the military; the framework works for leaders in any sector: corporate, nonprofit, entrepreneurial or public service.

How is this different from the Grit Mindset webinar?

The webinar is one hour on the mindset. Leading with Grit is the full course: the three phases of the Grit Triad, the assessments, the worksheets, and a plan for taking it into your work. Webinar attendees are welcome here.

What about Leading with Purpose?

Leading with Purpose is a six-week deep dive into the Commit phase of the Triad. Leading with Grit covers all three phases. The two pair well.

Will I get personal attention?

Yes. Launch enrollees get a private 30-minute call with Shannon.

Can my team take it together?

Yes. For team seats or an organization license, get in touch.

What if it isn’t for me?

Participate fully for the first two weeks. If it isn’t the right fit, we’ll refund you.

Launch price ends November 30

Start leading with grit.

The course built on The Grit Factor, at your own pace, with a private call with Shannon.