Grit: The Power of Perseverance

“By improving yourself, the world is made better. Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid only of standing still.” - Benjamin Franklin Founder, University of Pennsylvania.

Research shows those who believe in achieving success through hard work, grit & perseverance, and have a growth mindset tend to achieve more than those with a more fixed mindset (those who believe their talents are innate gifts). When executives embrace a growth mindset, their teams report feeling far more empowered and committed; they also receive far greater organizational support for collaboration and innovation.

In the wake of these findings, the terms “grit” and  “growth mindset” have become buzzwords in many major companies, even working their way into their mission statements. So how do we adopt such a mindset for ourselves and our organizations? What are the keys to success?

Watch this virtual discussion, featuring Wharton alumnae Marla Bleavins, Deputy Executive Director & CFO of the Port of Los Angeles, and Vinny Pires, Lithium Strategy Director at Compass Minerals, to hear their experiences in leading with grit and a growth mindset. This event is moderated by Alex Baranpuria, Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer of Ivy Exec, and is touch upon the following topics (alongside questions from the live audience): 

- Why perseverance, grit, and a growth mindset are essential for leaders today

- Firsthand accounts of how a growth mindset can positively impact organizations 

- Ways a crisis can help you cultivate a growth mindset

- How the Executive MBA at Wharton inspires growth and success

Marla Bleavins

Marla Bleavins is the Deputy Exec. Director of Finance and Administration and CFO for the Port of Los Angeles, the number one container port in the nation and the highest-rated U.S. seaport operating without tax support. During her tenure with the City of Los Angeles, which began in 2015, Bleavins managed close to $6 billion in bond financing that funded capital projects at LAX. She holds a bachelor of arts in public policy and political science from Stanford University. She earned her master’s degree in business administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Vinny Pires

Vinny Pires serves as Lithium Strategy Director at Compass Minerals since 2019, and has over 20 years of sales, marketing and strategy experience in several commercial leadership roles in South and North America in the steel and advanced materials industries. Having a strong technical and commercial background, he pursued his Executive MBA at Wharton Business School in order to gain global knowledge for business areas such as marketing and management. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul and an advanced degree in Commercial Management from Fundacao Getulio Vargas.