Episode Ten | Grit and the Power of Showing Up
Hosted by Ruth Ann Janson and Beth Bender
Welcome Back to TopBranch
Ruth Ann Janson:
Hi, everyone. I'm Ruth Ann Janson, and this is Beth Bender. We are back for another episode of TopBranch.
Beth Bender:
It's been a while! We haven't done an episode of TopBranch in about four weeks with all the guests we've had.
Ruth Ann Janson:
Yes, but we are back today, and we’re hitting it from two continents.
Beth Bender:
[laughs]
Ruth Ann Janson:
Beth is actually joining us live from London, England today.
Beth Bender:
[laughs] Yes, I am. A little tired, but I’m here. [laughs]
Choosing the Topic: Grit and Showing Up
Ruth Ann Janson:
We had another topic scheduled for this week, but we ended up deciding on the fly to talk about showing up—the grit, hard work, and determination it takes to be a small business leader. I was thinking about it when Beth pinged me asking, "When are we going to record TopBranch?"
Beth Bender:
[laughs]
Ruth Ann Janson:
And I thought, "You're in London!" This idea of hard work, grit, and continually showing up for your company sparked the topic for today.
Beth Bender:
It's a great topic because, when you are leading a team or positioned as a leader in an industry, if you aren’t willing to get down in the trenches and engage when your team or industry needs you, there are so many missed opportunities. Ruth Ann mentioned that we’d “nerd out” a little on some books she loves—which are great books, by the way. Why don’t we talk about those first and jump into that?
Recommended Reads on Grit
Ruth Ann Janson:
That’s great. The first one is Grit: Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals by Angela Duckworth. This book emphasizes that grit is often a stronger determinant of success than talent or intelligence. One key factor is credibility—how continually showing up, rolling up your sleeves, and working hard with your team adds credibility both among your team and to those observing your firm.
Beth Bender:
Absolutely. When you have talent and grit combined, it’s like magic in a bottle. Those individuals skyrocket to super stardom. But what really matters is for people who may not have “superstar” talent—they can still achieve great things through grit and determination. You can have all the talent in the world, but without grit, I don’t think you’ll ever reach your full potential.
Ruth Ann Janson:
Yeah.
Beth Bender:
We see this time and time again, both in our company and with clients. Some clients started from square one, but with talent and grit, they’ve achieved astounding results in a short period. In this industry, you need both—talent and grit—to succeed.
Ruth Ann Janson:
It’s true. After all the sales calls we’ve done over the years, you can often tell early if someone has that intangible factor—let’s just call it grit. Those are the people who end up skyrocketing.
Grit Builds Client Loyalty
Ruth Ann Janson:
Another benefit of grit is client loyalty. When clients see you consistently showing up, whether in town, at events, or on social media, it strengthens retention and builds trust.
Beth Bender:
Small business owners take a lot of hits. Running a company for over nine years, I can attest to the successes and knocks. That’s why we track client loyalty annually—it’s a critical metric. Every small business should consider what metric will anchor them when challenges arise. For us, it’s client loyalty.
Team Loyalty and Longevity
Ruth Ann Janson:
And that ties into team loyalty, too. Our firm is fortunate to have long-tenured employees, which helps both performance and culture. The shared history builds unification around company goals, which is harder when you’re constantly training new people. Owners need to invest time and effort in mentoring and guiding their team to maintain strong results.
Beth Bender:
Exactly. Just recently, while training a junior employee, she asked questions I had never considered. It was a reminder that being in the trenches with your team—whether junior or senior—is crucial for connection. I’m talking about small businesses here, not corporations with thousands of employees. Small business leaders must build connections with every individual on their team at some level.
Thought Leadership and Industry Engagement
Ruth Ann Janson:
Agreed. Another aspect is thought leadership. Showing up at industry events, participating in panels, advising others, and investing in your industry demonstrates grit and dedication. It’s about pouring your knowledge and passion into helping the industry grow alongside your firm.
Beth Bender:
Yes. If there were an award for the industry thought leader with grit and hard work, I would give it to Michael Bower. Over the last 11 years, I’ve watched him show up—at ASID, IDS, High Point, Designers for Dogs, and more. He consistently invests time in learning about causes and supporting the industry. His career success is directly tied to his ability to show up.
Ruth Ann Janson:
Agreed. That’s a perfect point to close on. We didn’t dive too deeply into the books today, but I’ll mention them again for anyone interested.
Beth Bender:
They’re great reads.
Ruth Ann Janson:
First, Angela Duckworth’s Grit: Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals. Then, Matthew Syed’s Bounce: The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice. Both are excellent reads, especially for leaders of organizations. We’ll leave you with a quote from Angela Duckworth: “Grit is passion and perseverance for long-term goals.” Stay in it for the long game!
Beth Bender:
[laughs] It’s a long game, but it’s worth it. All right, bye, guys!
Ruth Ann Janson:
Bye. See you next time!