Persistence

Many people think of Persistence as simply refusing to give up. Elyse sees it differently. For her, Persistence isn't about stubbornly doing the same thing over and over. It's about staying committed to what you're trying to accomplish while being willing to change how you get there.

That mindset has helped Elyse navigate change throughout her career. Over the course of more than a decade with one organization, she worked with three different CEOs, each bringing new priorities, expectations, and ways of leading. While she may not always welcome change at first, she quickly shifts her attention to figuring out how to make it work. What does this leader need? What do I need? What's the best way to move forward? Rather than getting stuck wishing things were the way they used to be, she focuses on adapting to what's in front of her.

The same strength guided her through an extended search for her next professional opportunity. At first, Elyse approached the search the way she always had. When those strategies weren't producing results, she resisted the temptation to simply work harder at what wasn't working. Instead, she stepped back and asked herself a different question: What can I control? That shift led her to seek advice from coaches, alumni programs, and friends. She conducted informational interviews and took AI courses to strengthen her skills. Rather than standing still, she kept finding new ways to move forward. Her Persistence eventually led her to a position that has proven to be an excellent fit.

Looking back, Elyse has realized that Persistence works best when it's paired with flexibility. She laughs about trying running as a way to stay healthy. She quickly discovered she hated it. But giving up on running wasn't giving up on her goal. The goal was never to become a runner. It was to find a sustainable way to stay healthy. So she simply looked for a different path.

Over time, she's become more comfortable with life's ambiguity. Rather than clinging to her original plan, she now finds herself asking, What am I really trying to accomplish? Once she's clear on the answer, she's willing to rethink almost everything else — the strategy, the process, even the timeline. For Elyse, Persistence isn't about protecting your first plan. It's about staying committed to the goal.

Her advice is to begin by understanding your real objective. When something isn't working, step back instead of simply pushing harder. Break the challenge into smaller pieces. Ask what's getting in the way. Then be willing to rebuild your approach if necessary. Persistence isn't about repeating the same actions forever. It's about continuing to move toward what matters most.

"Persistence for persistence's sake isn't helpful."

- Elyse