Have you ever heard of the Big Five personality traits? It’s a pretty cool theory that suggests a person’s personality can be broken down into five main traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism. What’s even better? Several of these traits are, indeed, actually considered indicators of a person’s future success!
Let me break it down for you.
Extraversion
Are you the life of the party, always eager to meet new people and explore new places? You might get a high level of extraversion, according to the Big Five personality theory. Extraversion is a personality trait focusing on how energetic, sociable, and friendly a person is.
There's this fascinating study conducted by Professor Salom from the Psychology Department at the University of Redlands in 2012. According to his study Birth Order, Effect on Personality, and Behavior, individuals with high extraversion tend to be natural "people's persons." They genuinely care about others, are easily approachable, and often make surrounding people beam with happiness. It’s no wonder that these high-extraversion folk often take on leadership roles since they are empathic and keen on fostering positive connections with others.
So, if you are an extrovert, embrace your outgoing nature, let your leadership skills shine, and utilize your energy and enthusiasm to inspire those around you.
Agreeableness
Let’s not forget about another indicator of personal achievement-agreeableness. Are you a team player who cares about the welfare of others? If your answer is “yes,” then you have a high agreeableness score. Agreeableness is characterized by a desire for social harmony and a tendency to prioritize the well-being of others. Thus, a high-agreeableness person is likely to form and maintain meaningful relationships with others.
In 2022, top-notch professors from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville reveal their study investigating the realm of agreeableness and its consequence. What they discovered is truly remarkable! It turns out that people with a high level of agreeableness tend to excel in occupations that require them to work closely with others and provide assistance. So, jobs such as customer service, clerical positions, and even health care roles seem tailor-made for them. But that’s not all - these agreeable folks play a crucial role in impacting the composition and effectiveness of teams. Their willingness to collaborate and desire for mutually advantageous conflict resolution really set them apart.
If you happen to have a high level of agreeableness, you have the potential to achieve great success in a collaborative work environment. So don’t be afraid to embrace your agreeableness and watch as it becomes your superpower for thriving in the workplace.
Openness
Do you have a thirst for exploration and a passion for innovation? If you find yourself frequently seeking out new ideas and experiences, you likely have a high level of openness. Openness is associated with creativity, aesthetic sensitivity, adaptability, continuous learning, and a willingness to take risks.
Guess what? In 2003, Dr. Zhou from Rice University conducted extensive research on the formation of creativity schema and how it connects to personal characteristics. The results are beyond incredible! Individuals scoring highly on openness tend to crave diverse experiences. They seek out all sorts of adventures and are excited about exploring the unknown. But here’s the really interesting part: there is a strong positive correlation between openness and divergent thinking. What does that mean? Well, it means that they always amaze others with their ability to think outside the box. Thus, individuals high on openness tend to be more creative, which makes them well-suited for careers in artistic fields.
So, for my people with high openness levels, do not hesitate to embrace your natural inclination for exploration and risk-taking. Your openness could be the key to unlocking new opportunities and reaching new heights in your career.
Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness is an essential personality trait that can set you apart from the competition in both your personal and professional life. It emphasizes reliability, responsibility, and orderliness- valuable qualities in any setting. Whether you are striving for academic success or professional achievement, strong self-discipline and intense focus are two of the most important indicators of success.
In 2003, professors from the University of Georgia collaborated to create a groundbreaking study that examines the connection between an entrepreneur’s personality and the long-term success of their ventures. You might be surprised by what they found! Turns out, individuals who have sky-high levels of conscientiousness are the ones who potentially make waves in the business world. They’re the ones who roll up their sleeves, put in the extra hours, and go above and beyond in anything they do. With their unwavering commitment and can-do attitude, they are true entrepreneurs who steer their ventures toward success that survive not just a few years, but for more than eight years!
My friend, if your level of conscientiousness is high, your hard work and perseverance will always pay off. Don’t wait! Start developing and practicing conscientiousness now, and you will set yourself up for long-term success and achieve your professional goals. You’ve got this!
Neuroticism
Among these five characteristics, neuroticism stands out as a controversial one. Neuroticism refers to the tendency towards negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and stress. And yeah, most of the research on neuroticism has focused on the downside, claiming that neurotic people struggle in building relationships, lack self-confidence, and ruminate over everything that could go wrong. Sounds pretty terrible, right?
Here’s the thing: neuroticism might not be as bad as it seems. Indeed, it can be incredibly helpful in the right circumstances. Daniel Nettle, author of “Personality: What Makes You The Way You Are,” mentions that highly neurotic people are often strivers as they will work tirelessly, even without promised external reward, just to prevent any potential dangers they perceive. Yes, that’s right! The fear of underperforming or falling short pushes them to prepare diligently, ultimately taking their performance to the next level.
There’s even more to this neuroticism personality trait. Nettle reveals that neuroticism “unleashed the power of rumination.” I know it sounds like a double-edged sword, but bear with me. Well, in the right context, it can actually be a game-changer. Neurotic individuals have the ability to delve deep into details, anticipate problems, and truly understand subjects, allowing them to do well in fields requiring knowledge work. Take a look at successful innovators, visionaries, and entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk —they're known for their neurotic and “crazy” approaches that have changed the world!
So my fellow neurotic folk, now that you know the upside of the neuroticism personality trait, strive for a healthy degree of neuroticism. It’s really about learning to make your own ‘lemonade' and to conquer the world with your beautifully complex mind!
Discover Your Own Definition of Success
Hopefully, the information presented here has helped you gain a better understanding of the Big Five personality traits and how they can help navigate your path toward success. As you embark on your journey, Keep in mind that success in the eyes of others means nothing if it doesn't also bring you happiness. Take the time to formulate your own idea of success, and then use the Big Five to get you there.
What do you think is the most important personality indicator of success? We love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Leave a comment below and let's start a conversation!
If you found this article helpful, make sure to follow BetterConnects for more informative content. We are still working on creating the perfect platform for you to better connect with others, so make sure to sign up on our waitlist to be the first to know about our launch.
