I was recently listening to one of the world’s best jujitsu coaches, John Danaher. He is known for creating many champions with his methodical approach. Lex Fridman interviewed him in a long podcast and asked what distinguishes champions who succeed from those who do not.
His answer: persistence of thought.
And this difference in thinking also applies to business and leadership.
We often confuse “Persistence” with “Persistence of Thinking.” They look similar, but the results are opposite.
Persistence is doing the same thing over and over, hoping the wall will break. It’s stubbornness. Persistence of Thinking is knowing that there is always a way. It’s the unshakeable belief that a solution exists, and the agility to try different things until you find it.
When a project fails: Persistence pushes harder on the same lever. Persistence of Thinking looks for a different lever.
The best leaders don’t just work harder. They think differently until they unlock the path.
Here are 4 ways to apply Persistence of Thinking to find the way forward:
1/ Relentless Simplicity
The Concept: If the team doesn’t understand, saying it louder (Persistence) won’t work. You must strip the message down until it clicks (Persistence of Thinking). Real leadership is the art of exclusion.
The “Exclusion” Tool: Aspiring executives often try to show how much they know. They add details. The message gets lost. Do the opposite. Take your next strategic announcement. Write it out. Then, cut 50% of the words. Then, cut it down to ONE single core message. Keep refining the phrasing until it is so simple it cannot be misunderstood. Then, and only then, repeat it.
The Coaching Question: “If I could only say one sentence to my team for the next month, what would it be?”
2/ From Answers to Incisive Questioning
The Concept: Persistence is trying to force your own answer. Persistence of Thinking is trusting that the right question will unlock the answer from the group.
The “Advice Detox” Tool:
Advice is fragile. It depends on context.
Questions are resilient. They build self-reliance.
In your next problem-solving meeting, refrain from providing the solution. Instead, use Incisive Questioning. When someone brings you a problem, do not fix it. Ask: “What is the assumption that is stopping us from solving this?” Stimulate their thinking to find a new path.
The Coaching Question: “What question am I avoiding because I am afraid of the answer?”
3/ Audience-Centric Persuasion
The Concept: If “selling the features” isn’t working, don’t sell harder. Change the angle. Shift from the “owner’s manual” to the “driving experience.”
The “Benefit Flip” Tool: We often communicate what we want to say, not what they need to hear to be convinced. Look at your next presentation for the Board or your team. Circle every “We will do X” (Process/Feature). Cross it out and replace it with “You will get Y” (Result/Benefit). Find the specific angle that unlocks their belief.
The Coaching Question: “Am I describing the process, or am I describing the transformation?”
4/ Courageous Honesty
The Concept: Sometimes the “way” is blocked by ambiguity. We “sugar-coat” the truth to be nice, but we get stuck. Persistence of Thinking requires the courage to clear the path with directness.
The “Sugar-Free” Tool: Ambiguity kills trust and slows down decision-making. Review your last difficult feedback or email. Did you use “soft” words to dilute the message? Remove them. Be direct about the issue. Be kind about the person. Directness clears the fog so everyone can see the solution.
The Coaching Question: “What difficult truth am I not saying because I want to be liked?”
The Bottom Line
Persistence keeps you banging your head against a closed door. Persistence of Thinking helps you find the window.
It’s the discipline to believe there is a way, and the courage to change your approach until you find it.
Most get stuck. You can choose to find the way.
If you are ready to build this discipline and clarify your leadership impact, let’s talk.
Let’s spend 15 minutes sharpening your persistence.
Thank you.
Dror.
PS: Whenever you’re ready, here are 2 ways I can help you accelerate your career through coaching:
For Aspiring Senior Leaders/C-Suite:
- Accelerate Your Path to Leadership: I help you create your big picture and build a plan to accelerate your path. Let’s schedule a 30-minute call to explore if we can work together.
For Current Senior Leaders/C-Suite:
- Elevate Your Leadership Impact: You know even small refinements at your level can drive significant organizational results and career acceleration. I accompany you on your project and guarantee the result. Schedule a focused 30-minute discussion.
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