THE PARADOX OF EFFORT

I recently read an essay by psychologist and professor Adam Grant titled "No, You Don’t Get an A for Effort", and I couldn’t help but view it through my coaching lens. His core argument? Grades—and by extension, any outcome—should reflect the quality of work, preparation, and mastery, not just the sheer amount of effort put in. 

I don’t disagree. 

Effort matters. It should be encouraged and recognized. But effort alone can’t be the deciding factor in success or failure. Grant puts it well: *“There’s a reason we award Olympic medals to the athletes who swim the fastest, not the ones who train the hardest. What counts is not sheer effort but the progress and performance that result.”* 

I’d take that one step further: Swap “teachers and parents” for “coaches and leaders,” and broaden the message to people in general. It’s not about putting in the most hours—it’s about how effectively that work translates to results. 

Effort without direction or strategy can lead to burnout or wasted potential. Focused effort—guided by skill, intention, and adaptability—yields better outcomes and more meaningful progress. 

Case in point: As a coach, I often hear athletes frustrated that they didn’t win the race, hit the time, or achieve the goal they felt they “deserved” because they put in the work. Sometimes, they’ll compare themselves to someone who succeeded with seemingly less effort. But—barring bad luck or uncontrollable circumstances—the result is usually aligned with the quality, not the quantity, of effort. 

Garbage in, garbage out. If you want to produce high-quality results, you need to ensure you’re putting in high-quality work. And even then, you’ll likely need to tweak, adjust, and refine before you get where you want to go.