Grit and Gratitude: The Leadership Combo That Changes Everything
The Tension Every Leader Feels
There’s a tension I’ve come to embrace as a leader.
Push hard. Stay hungry. Keep building.
But also pause. Reflect. Be deeply thankful for what is.
That’s the balance of grit and gratitude. And if there’s one lesson I keep learning over and over again in leadership, it’s that we need both.
Because grit without gratitude burns you out. And gratitude without grit keeps you comfortable. But when they come together? That’s when things really start to shift.
Grit: Showing Up When It’s Hard
I’ve never met a church planter or entrepreneur who said this road was easy. If you’re building something that matters, you will face resistance. That’s just part of it.
When we first started Text In Church, most people thought the idea was ridiculous.
“Why would anyone want to text at church?”
We heard that more than once.
We didn’t have traction or a platform, just a deep conviction that the church needed better ways to connect with people, and the grit to figure it out.
There was no playbook. No “right” way to do it. We were building as we went. And when you’re doing that, creating something that’s never existed before, grit is the thing that keeps you going.
We didn’t know all the answers. Honestly, we still don’t. But we’ve stayed curious. We’ve stayed committed. We’ve kept showing up.
And over time, small wins started to add up.
Today, we serve more than 30,000 church leaders every week. But it didn’t happen because we had all the answers. It happened because we didn’t quit when it was hard.
Gratitude: Staying Grounded in What Matters
If grit keeps you moving forward, gratitude keeps you centered.
For me, gratitude shows up in the small moments. It’s not about the big milestones or the public wins. It’s about recognizing the opportunity right in front of you and realizing, we get to do this.
Even on the hardest days, I try to pause and remember the why. We’re not just building software. We’re helping churches make people feel known, noticed, and loved. We’re creating tools that help people take steps toward Jesus.
That’s not just work. That’s ministry.
And I’ll be honest, I’m not great at celebrating wins. But I’m learning. I’m getting better at recognizing the good along the way, the people we serve, the team we’ve built, the relationships we’ve developed, and the ability to do meaningful work with people I care about.
Sometimes that moment of gratitude comes during a team huddle. Other times it hits me when I’m picking up my daughter from school, reminding her to be a kind friend and a strong leader, and realizing I needed that same reminder myself.
Those are the moments that ground me. And they’re always there. We just have to slow down long enough to notice them.
When Grit and Gratitude Work Together
You don’t need to choose between grit and gratitude. In fact, you shouldn’t.
When they work together, something powerful happens:
You work hard, but you don’t lose heart.
You chase big goals, but stay grounded in purpose.
You keep pushing forward, but never forget how far you’ve come.
That’s what sustainable leadership looks like. That’s how you keep going without burning out. That’s how you build something that lasts.
Your Turn: What Does This Look Like for You?
Here’s what I’d challenge you to ask yourself this week:
Where do you need to dig in and keep showing up, even when it’s hard?
And where do you need to pause, take a breath, and say, thank you?
Both matter. Both are leadership. And both will take you further than either one on its own.
Let’s lead the way with grit in our spirit, gratitude in our posture, and a quiet confidence that the hard road really is worth it.
🎥 Watch: Grit and Gratitude: The Leadership Combo That Changes Everything
I recently shared more about this on my YouTube channel, real stories, lessons learned, and how I’m still learning to lead with both grit and gratitude.
If you’re someone who’s leading through challenges, or just trying to find a rhythm that helps you grow without burning out, this video will speak to you.
In it, I unpack how to lead with resilience and rest, to keep moving forward with passion, but stay grounded in perspective. Take a few minutes to watch it, reflect, and maybe even share it with someone on your team who needs encouragement this week.
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About Tyler Smith
Tyler Smith is the co-founder and CEO of Text In Church, a communication platform built to help churches connect with their people beyond Sunday mornings. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Tyler shares practical strategies to help church and business leaders grow with clarity and confidence.
He’s a husband, dad, and lifelong learner who’s passionate about building systems that empower people and strengthen communities.
👉 Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn for more leadership and communication insights.
