Hiring For Grit
Season 1
Why is grit important for your business?
by MSL UK
In episode two of Hiring for Grit, host Ben Read is joined by James Fellowes, Founder of Bridge of Hope Careers, and James Cartwright, Associate Director at MSL, to make the commercial case for grit. In an age of economic uncertainty, AI disruption and increasingly fluid roles, they explore why resilience, adaptability and perseverance are exactly the traits businesses need most right now, and why hiring for grit is no longer just the right thing to do, but a genuine business imperative. The conversation gets into the tangible business benefits of hiring system-impacted candidates, from stronger attraction, engagement and retention to the significant social value contribution to ESG commitments. Covering everything from productivity and employer reputation to the hidden cost of overlooking grit, this episode is essential listening for HR leaders, hiring managers and anyone building the business case for a more inclusive approach to talent.
In the first episode of Hiring for Grit, host Ben Read is joined by James Fellowes and Chance Bleu-Montgomery, co-founders of Bridge of Hope Careers, to unpack what grit really means and why it should be on every employer's radar. Drawing on psychologist Dr Angela Duckworth's research, which identifies grit as the single strongest predictor of career success, the conversation explores how system-impacted individuals - people shaped by the care system, the justice system, or unsupported neurodivergence - develop extraordinary levels of resilience, determination and perseverance simply by navigating life. James and Chance share how Bridge of Hope Careers is helping employers rethink their approach to talent, from shifting hiring manager mindsets to rethinking the filters built into applicant tracking systems that screen out high-potential candidates before they even reach the table. With practical insights on retention, loyalty and the business case for inclusive hiring, this episode makes a compelling argument for why the grittiest candidates in today's workforce are the ones most employers are overlooking.