Whether we realize it or not every interaction we have is an experience for us and the other person involved.
Besides physical appearance, what else are you being gauged on?
The 5 most common personality traits, OCEAN.
- Openness: This trait features characteristics such as imagination and insight. People who are high in this trait also tend to have a broad range of interests. They are curious about the world and other people and eager to learn new things and enjoy new experiences.
- Conscientiousness: Standard features of this dimension include high levels of thoughtfulness, good impulse control, and goal-directed behaviors. Highly conscientious people tend to be organized and mindful of details.
- Extraversion: (or extroversion) is characterized by excitability, sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, and high amounts of emotional expressiveness. People who are high in extraversion are outgoing and tend to gain energy in social situations.
- Agreeableness: This personality dimension includes attributes such as trust, altruism, kindness, affection, and other prosocial behaviors. People who are high in agreeableness tend to be more cooperative while those low in this trait tend to be more competitive and sometimes even manipulative.
- Neuroticism: is a trait characterized by sadness, moodiness, and emotional instability. Individuals who are high in this trait tend to experience mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and sadness.
Read more about personality traits here…
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
—Maya Angelou
When interacting with others, how do you come off? Where do you fall on spectrum of the aforementioned traits?
Many people tend to argue about the research behind the OCEAN traits. Frankly, I don’t think it matters too much.
I use the OCEAN traits as a framework to become more self-aware about the behaviors I exhibit in the presence of others. If I find myself too far on any side of the spectrum, I readjust.
This also doesn’t mean I label myself as one trait and become a victim to the narrative I’m creating either.
Next time you interact with someone, be mindful of what the other person feels.
