As one of the first women to fly Apache helicopters in the U.S. Army, I faced environments where grit wasn't optional—it was survival. What I discovered through those experiences, and later through hundreds of interviews with military leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs for The Grit Factor, was that true grit isn't just about grinding harder—it's about going deeper. The breakthrough came when I realized that sustainable resilience follows a predictable pattern that can be taught, practiced, and mastered.

This revelation led me to develop The Grit Triad™, a research-backed framework that transforms how leaders navigate challenge by integrating their past experiences, present capabilities, and future vision into a cohesive force. And now, Going for Grit turns these hard-won lessons into practical action steps that any leader can implement immediately.

Shannon Huffman Polson is a pioneering voice in leadership resilience, grit, and purpose, shaping the way top organizations and leaders navigate challenge and change. A sought-after keynote speaker and author.

She equips Fortune 500 companies, executive teams, and rising leaders with the mindset and tools to step into their full potential, gain the recognition they deserve, and lead with purpose. As one of the first women to fly the Apache attack helicopter in the U.S. Army, Shannon has lived and led in high-stakes environments.

She draws on her military experience, corporate leadership, and deep study of resilience to inspire professionals to thrive under pressure. She is the author of The Grit Factor and the founder of The Grit Institute, a leadership development platform for those seeking courage, clarity, and impact in their careers.