The Power of Perseverance
My son-in-law decided to fulfill his long-time dream to join the Army National Guard and go through boot camp as a 41-year-old recruit. He has been back home for two weeks now. Age 41 is the cut off for the National Guard, so he knew it was going to be hard, but it was now or never.
As we were talking, the topic of perseverance came up. He told me that there were moments in his 10 weeks of basic training where he wondered if he had made the right decision. And many moments where his counterparts, most more than half his age, also wondered if they had what it takes to make it through.
He talked about how the shared struggle bonded him with people that he did not expect to bond with. People from all walks of life. Varying life experiences. And with obvious age gaps.
Shared challenging experiences will do that!
When I’m working with organizations who are going through big changes, one of the most overlooked benefits of navigating change is the benefit of “perseverance”.
Perseverance is steady persistence in a course of action despite difficult obstacles. Perseverance is an underrated skill in team dynamics.
I’ve seen organizations go through hard phases while conversations become uncomfortable and unhealthy, and team members retreat or shut down. And I’ve seen instances where these moments hold the greatest potential for breakthrough thinking.
Teams that know how to have the tough conversations that come with change and obstacles develop stronger bonds, more creative solutions, and greater resilience over time. They understand that discomfort is not a signal to disengage, but rather an invitation to dig deeper. Just like my son-in-law did at boot camp.
Teams that successfully persevere share common practices that are the foundational concepts of NCD:
· Establishing clear norms for difficult conversations.
· Engaging with curiosity rather than being locked into being an expert.
· Focusing on shared purpose.
· Talking about facts rather than personality, emotions, or assumptions.
· Knowing when to take a pause or a step back.
There are Long-Term Benefits
Teams that persevere through challenging dialogues don't just solve immediate problems—they fundamentally transform their culture. Over time, they develop:
Greater innovation through the integration of diverse perspectives.
Deeper trust that strengthens all aspects of collaboration.
More efficient problem-solving as issues are addressed directly rather than avoided.
The readiness to take on future challenges!
The path of least resistance rarely leads to exceptional outcomes.
By moving through challenging times with a structured approach to tough conversations, persevering teams have more confidence and enjoyment overcoming obstacles and discovering their greatest collective potential.
Remember What Matters Most
It's not the absence of difficult conversations that defines successful teams, but rather how they persevere through those conversations.
Ready to take your team to the next level when it comes to overcoming challenges and navigating change?
Let’s chat. Schedule your 1:1 confidential call now: https://NCDsolution.com/beth