Exploring ‘passionate persistence’

Robert Go, the man behind the 25-store chain Prince Hypermart, shared with SunStar Cebu some of the best books he recommends to those who want to succeed in business. He once served as president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and now serves as the president of the Philippine Retailers’ Association (PRA) in Cebu.

Go is expanding his homegrown retail brand in emerging towns and cities in the Visayas and Mindanao, in a bid to offer a modern yet affordable shopping experience to consumers in these areas. Here are his recommendations: In “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” the MacArthur Genius Award-winning psychologist Angela Duckworth explores the secret to outstanding achievement. The book shows that people succeed not just by relying on innate natural talent, but by practicing what she calls grit, or passionate persistence. The author then offers a Grit Formula to help anyone to become more gritty. These six factors are hope, effort, precision, passion, ritual, and prioritization.

Amazon’s review of “Grit” highlights that Duckworth draws from her rich experience in teaching, consulting, and neuroscience, as well as interviews with high achievers.

“Originals” by Adam Grant looks into stories of entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, and other professionals, and how they originated new ideas, policies, and practices in business and in the workplace without risking it all. The author shares how to reject conformity and spark change. Amazon’s review of “Originals” also points out that the author shares insights on “how parents and teachers can nurture originality in children, and how leaders can build cultures that welcome dissent.”

“Sam Walton” is an autiobiography of one of America’s richest merchants, who owns Walmart. The book is a narrative about how the businessman revolutionized retail distribution in the US. The book also narrates how Walton addressed accusations against him, such as running the competition out of town.