One of the interesting interpretations of the data from my doctorate research was this tree legged stool metaphor. The three legs: 1) relationships, 2) results, and 3) grit represent traits of people who successfully navigate the complexities of international aid work over the long-term. These three qualities nurture and support each other. Good relationships and seeing the positive impact of their work appears to compensate aid workers for the many difficulties they endure on the field. Exemplary aid workers find broken relationships with colleagues and project stakeholders much more difficult to endure than physical hardships such as heat, bugs, low financing, or physical dangers. Grit is long-term passion and dogged perseverance. Grit was more characteristic to exemplary field leaders than the construct of resilience. How can we foster these qualities?