Students want to be rewarded for effort, even if it doesn't lead to achievement, writes psychologist Adam Grant in a New York Times op-ed. "Two-thirds of college students say that “trying hard” should be a factor in their grades, and a third think they should get at least a B just for showing up at (most) classes," he writes.
Psychologist Carol Dweck persuaded teachers and parents to praise Gen Z children for effort, not their abilities, to create a "growth mindset," Grant writes. "The idea of lauding persistence quickly made its way into viral articles, best-selling books and popular TED talks. It resonated with the Protestant work ethic and reinforced the American dream that with hard work, anyone could achieve success."
But it went too far. Effort is great, but it's not "an end in itself," he writes. Sometimes, students who are working hard but failing to accomplish their goal should stop and think. "Trying harder isn’t always the answer," writes Grant. "Sometimes it’s working smarter, and other times it’s working on something else altogether."
I'm reminded of the quote, apparently originated by sportswriter Hugh Keough: “The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; but that is the way to bet.”
These kids have been totally failed by their teachers in K-12. But it's not too late. Starting when they first get to college they should be told that only results - outcomes - are what count. They'll get the idea pretty quickly and, hopefully, those that can't produce results will drop out, save the expense of college, and find a better life option in the trades or wherever. It will be tough to learn that lesson in college - BUT it is even tougher to learn that lesson at work in a job. Sooner it's learned, the better.