Is it possible to change your personality for the better?
“Our personality shines a light on who we truly are. It’s what truly matters, even more than our external appearance.”
Have you ever wondered if it's possible to change your personality for the better? Do you find yourself struggling with certain traits or behaviors that are holding you back from achieving your dreams and aspirations?
The good news is that research shows that our personalities are not set in stone, and we have the power to make positive changes in our lives
Research has uncovered something fascinating – our personalities are far from permanent! We have the ability to reshape ourselves, break habit patterns, and establish goals that will move us forward in life.
Instead of thinking that certain aspects of our character are too ingrained for us to overcome, we can take comfort in the knowledge that positive change is possible.
It's such an exciting thought: we don't have to stay stuck in the same old ways! We don't have to exist in our current state forever. There's potential in all of us to grow, evolve and become something extraordinary!
Why personality traits are key to building a successful business
Personality traits are an essential aspect of personal growth and development, and they can significantly impact business success. Our personality is a unique combination of characteristics that defines who we are as individuals. While it can be a source of strength and distinction, it can also impact our success in business. Personality traits can influence our decision-making, leadership style, communication, and relationship-building abilities. Therefore, understanding how our traits affect our success in business is critical.
According to researchers at the National Institute of Health, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and the University of Oregon, it's a combination of personality traits known as the Big Five. These traits are extroversion, conscientiousness, openness, neuroticism, and agreeableness.
The Big Five personality traits can be helpful in understanding the different strengths and weaknesses that we have. By identifying our own personality traits, we can better understand how our unique blend of traits may impact our business success and can work to develop strategies to leverage our strengths and address our weaknesses.
By identifying our strengths and weaknesses, we can focus on developing our skills and improving our traits to become more effective and successful entrepreneurs and business owner. For example, if we tend to shy away from taking risks, we can practice taking calculated risks to build our confidence and become more comfortable with uncertainty.
By understanding our own personality traits, we can develop strategies to capitalize on our strengths and address our weaknesses. With this self-awareness, we can better understand how our unique blend of traits may impact our business success. For example, If we're someone who tends to stick to the familiar and comfortable, cultivating ‘openness to experience’ can help us break out of our comfort zone and try new things.
Openness to experience is crucial for running a successful business because it involves a willingness to explore new ideas, take risks, and adapt to change. Business owners who lack the openness to experience personality traits may be resistant to change. They may prefer to stick to traditional methods and avoid taking risks or exploring new opportunities, leading to missed opportunities for growth and innovation.
Entrepreneurs and business owners who possess high levels of ‘openness to experience’ are often creative, innovative, and able to think outside the box, develop innovative solutions to problems, and adapt to changes in the market. They are not afraid to try new things, experiment with different approaches, and are open to feedback and learning.
‘Openness to experience’ can help entrepreneurs manage the challenges of running a business. Businesses often face unexpected setbacks, and business leaders and owners who are open-minded and adaptable are better equipped to handle these challenges. They can pivot quickly and make the necessary adjustments to their business model, marketing strategy, or product offerings.
An example of a business leader who excels in the OPENNESS personality traits is Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors. When She became the CEO of General Motors in 2014, the company was in the midst of a major public relations crisis. Defective ignition switches in GM cars were linked to 12 deaths, and the company was facing a massive recall of millions of vehicles.
Mary Barra took swift action to address the crisis and restore trust in the company. She initiated an internal investigation to uncover the root cause of the problem and took steps to improve the company's safety culture. She also implemented new processes to ensure that safety issues were identified and addressed quickly. “Openness to experience” has helped Mary Barra manage the challenges and unexpected setbacks
By taking responsibility for the company's mistakes, being transparent with stakeholders, and implementing changes to prevent similar issues from happening again, Barra demonstrated her OPENNESS personality and strong leadership skills.
In addition to having an “openness to experience” personality trait, Barra is known for her ability to lead with empathy, which she credits as one of the key reasons for the company's success. In a candid interview with CNBC, Barra stressed the critical role of empathy in leadership: "To be an effective leader, you need to understand how people are feeling and connect with them on an emotional level." This requires a deep level of emotional intelligence, and it's something that Barra has demonstrated throughout her career.
In the interview with Adam Grant at Wharton’s MBA Program, Barra spoke about her experiences as a leader and the importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace. During the interview, Barra emphasized the need for leaders to be aware of the emotional impact that their decisions can have on employees. She stressed the importance of creating a workplace culture that prioritizes open communication and transparency, where employees feel valued and respected.
By prioritizing empathy, Barra has been able to foster a cohesive and motivated team at General Motors. Her approach has enabled her to inspire her employees to achieve extraordinary feats, and she has cultivated a culture where every member of the team feels empowered and appreciated. This has not only created a happier and more productive workforce but has also led to higher customer satisfaction and an increase in overall business success. As a result, General Motors has thrived under her leadership, illustrating that emotional intelligence is indeed a vital component of success in the business world.
Barra has spoken publicly about the importance of listening and learning from others. She has mentioned that she actively seeks feedback from employees and customers, and uses that feedback to make informed decisions and improve the company's operations. This willingness to listen and learn from others suggests an ‘openness to experience’ personality and a willingness to adapt and evolve over time.
The power of personality improvement!
As business owners, we have the power to choose the kind of person we want to be and take steps to make it a reality. By actively choosing to work on improving these personality traits, we can set ourselves up for long-term success and transform our business into something truly great.
It's easy to think of our personalities as fixed and unchangeable, but that's simply not the case. In fact, research has shown that our personalities are dynamic and can change over time in response to new experiences and challenges. This is particularly relevant for business owners, who need more than just skills and knowledge to succeed in their ventures.
Changing personality traits takes effort and practice, but the rewards can be immense. One way to improve business outcomes is by increasing self-awareness. This involves reflecting on our personality traits, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and learning how they impact our work. It's important to note that personality traits are not fixed and can be changed or developed over time. By identifying areas for improvement and actively working on developing new skills and traits, we can enhance our abilities and increase our chances of success in business.
Open up new possibilities for growth and success
By intentionally working to change aspects of our personalities that may be holding us back, we can open up new possibilities for growth and success. Personality change involves modifying our behavior, thoughts, and attitudes to become a more conscious and generative person. Business owners who actively work on changing their personalities can become better leaders, communicators, and decision-makers.
Tim Ferriss is a great example of someone who has transformed his personality to achieve success in his business. Through personality change, Tim Ferriss develops new skills, builds better relationships, and enhances his leadership abilities.
Tim Ferriss is the author of the best-selling book "The 4-Hour Work Week" and the host of the popular podcast "The Tim Ferriss Show." He has spoken publicly about how he transformed his personality to achieve success in his business. He initially struggled with anxiety and depression, which he believes was due in part to his perfectionism and need for control. He also struggled with time management and felt like he was constantly working without making progress.
One of the major changes Tim Ferriss made was to focus on personal growth and self-improvement. He embraced the idea of trying new things and learning from his experiences, which helped him develop a growth mindset. This openness to new experiences also helped him become more creative and innovative in his business ventures.
He made changes to his work habits and routines. He adopted the concept of "batching" his work and focusing on the most important tasks, rather than being constantly busy and distracted. This helped him achieve more with less time and energy.
Through these efforts, he was able to cultivate a more open and flexible mindset, which allowed him to embrace uncertainty and take risks in his business ventures. He also became more adept at delegating tasks and focusing on the most important activities.
Tim Ferriss's transformation is a testament to the power of self-awareness and deliberate practice in developing the personality traits necessary for success in business. By being open to new ideas and experimenting with different approaches, Tim Ferriss was able to overcome his personal obstacles and achieve great success in his career.
It is evident that the right personality traits are crucial for achieving business success. By identifying our strengths and weaknesses, we can develop the necessary skills and traits needed to thrive in our industries. Traits such as openness to experience, conscientiousness, and emotional intelligence can enhance their ability to build strong relationships, make sound decisions, and achieve growth and profitability. Ultimately, entrepreneurs and business owners who understand the importance of personality traits and actively work to cultivate them are more likely to succeed in today's competitive business landscape.
Key Takeaway
Personality is not a fixed and unchangeable aspect of our being. Scientific studies have demonstrated that it's possible to transform and enhance our personality traits. By identifying areas for improvement and developing strategies for change, we can transform our personalities for the better.
As business owners, we can develop the necessary skills and traits needed to thrive in our industries. Traits such as openness to experience, conscientiousness, and emotional intelligence can enhance their ability to build strong relationships, make sound decisions, and achieve growth and profitability This can have significant positive effects on various aspects of life, including personal relationships, career success, and overall well-being.
All it takes is a choice and a willingness to take action toward achieving our target. With the right approach, anyone can develop and improve their personality for the better.
