Made by Pressure, Shaped by Struggle
Why the best embrace the grind
“The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor the person perfected without trials.”
– Chinese Proverb
Made by Pressure, Shaped by Struggle
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life
Some of the most beautiful things on earth begin in the ugliest, most uncomfortable places.
Diamonds were formed under crushing pressure and searing heat deep beneath the earth when asteroids collided with Earth (the resulting heat and pressure were the perfect conditions for diamonds to form). A pearl is born of irritation when a grain of sand slips inside an oyster, causing so much discomfort the oyster fights back to create something beautiful.
Pressure and irritation. Discomfort and pain. These aren’t things we seek out, but they are often what shape us.
“No pressure, no diamonds” is a saying we often hear. We tend to glamorize success but often overlook the uncomfortable process behind it. The same pressure that can make us feel like we’re about to break could also be shaping us into something rare.
Diamonds don’t ask for pressure. Yet they endure it; in doing so, they’re refined into something stronger and more brilliant.
Pearls don’t rebel against discomfort, but they respond with grace. Layer by layer, they build something beautiful in response to irritation.
Leadership and coaching are a blend of both.
Deadlines, expectations, setbacks, and conflict will press us. Slow progress, bad attitudes, and unexpected curveballs will irritate us. But you get to choose your response. You can fight the pressure or allow it to refine you. You can be bitter about the irritant or layer it with patience and wisdom until something valuable forms.
Whether you're under fire or flat-out frustrated, you're in good company. Diamonds and pearls wouldn’t exist without those moments.
We face countless irritants and pressures. How do we respond to them? Do we let them control our emotions and actions, or do we use them to help us grow? We are shaped by how we react to challenges. We can let them beat us, or choose to become stronger and more resilient.
“Pressure is a privilege … it’s what you do with it that matters.”
– Billy Jean King
Connecting this quote to the story. Challenges are opportunities that, when embraced, can shape us into something rare and valuable.
Chasing Influence tip: Growth often disguises itself as discomfort—lean into it.
If you enjoyed this story, a series of three Chasing Influence workbooks is available. Stories are accompanied by discussion questions and answers. Each workbook contains 33 lessons to use with any team.
Updates on Chasing Influence
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life is available in Kindle, softcover, hardcover, and audiobook editions.
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©Troy Urdahl, 2025