Making major life choices without understanding one’s personality is akin to gambling with one’s future. Surprisingly, some may not even be aware of where their true strengths and weaknesses lie. The scientifically validated HIGH5 strengths assessment can provide insights into your unique personality traits, empowering you to make informed decisions aligned with your natural strengths. By understanding your core strengths, you can pursue careers and roles that energize and fulfill you, ultimately leading to a more purposeful and thriving life.
To thrive in your career and personal life, it’s crucial to uncover your unique abilities and strengths. While personality traits provide valuable insights, identifying our specific strengths can be even more transformative. The HIGH5 strengths assessment offers a comprehensive approach to discovering your innate talents, going beyond general personality traits to reveal the core strengths that drive your success and fulfillment. In the following article, we’ll explore personality traits you may resonate with, and we’ll show you how the HIGH5 assessment can complement this understanding to unlock your full potential.
What is the 5-factor model (OCEAN)?
Among the currently available personality tests, one of the most popular and scientifically backed approaches is the Big 5. The Big 5 theory of personality breaks down an individual’s personality into 5 core factors: Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Neuroticism, Openness to Experience, and Extraversion. The Big 5 personality traits theory breakdown (OCEAN):
- Openness to Experience
- Conscientiousness
- Extraversion
- Agreeableness
- Neuroticism
The Big 5 Personality model correlates with various aspects of life, including academic performance. A 2011 study by the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale found that the five personality factors account for 14% of the variance in academic GPA [1]. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of your unique strengths and how they can be applied in academic and professional settings, consider taking the HIGH5 strengths assessment. This tool complements the Big 5 model by identifying specific strengths that can be leveraged for success in various areas of life, including education and career development.
Yes, personality traits are associated with academic performance. It was also shown that personality traits may also be associated with your learning styles, with conscientiousness and agreeableness positively associated with all four learning styles. Neuroticism on the other hand was negatively related to the four learning styles. The Big 5 Personality is a useful tool for self-discovery and self-development. By better understanding your personality, you can better assert your needs and connect with others more easily. The Big 5 Personality will help us to better perform in our environments. Unlike most other personality theories which label individual differences into types and binary categories, the Big 5 Model places people on a spectrum of five distinct traits.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Use your HIGH5 strengths profile in conjunction with your Big Five traits to create a holistic self-development plan. Identify areas where your strengths can complement or balance out certain personality traits for optimal personal growth.
How to use the Big 5 Personality traits?
Examples of positive and negative personality traits
| Examples of positive personality traits | Examples of negative personality traits |
| – Curious – Adventurous – Prepared – Attention to Detail – Hardworking – Sociable – Excitement-Seeking – Enthusiastic – Empathetic – Trust – Altruism – Proactive – Risk-averse | – Easily Swayed – Impractical – Too Rigid – Over-serious – Hedonistic – Impulsive – Conflict-Avoidant – Gullible – Anxious – Hostile – Self-conscious |
Openness (to Experience)
Openness to Experience is the openness to consider new ideas. The facets of Openness include intellect and aesthetic openness. Openness describes a person’s tendency to have more abstract thoughts and be more receptive to new ideas. Those scoring lower on this trait may be perceived as more traditional and inclined to avoid the unknown. Individuals high in Openness thrive on challenges and actively seek out diverse experiences.
If you find yourself resonating with traits like curiosity and adventure, the HIGH5 strengths assessment can provide valuable insights into how to leverage your natural inclination for exploration and growth in both personal and professional contexts. People high in Openness love new challenges and actively seek out a variety of experiences.
Curious (+)
Those high in Openness are sometimes seen as unconventional. Even on tasks they have done before, they would often find new ways or methods to accomplish it. They often stray away from tradition and instead move towards innovation.
Adventurous (+)
People who score high in Openness may see adventure and novelty as a need. Sometimes people high in Openness may feel tied down or bored when they feel like they are “stuck” in a routine.
Easily Swayed (-)
Those high in Openness are open and receptive to new ideas and concepts. However, an excessive level of Openness may cause them to switch ideas and contexts quickly depending on what seems more novel to them.
Impractical (-)
People with a high level of Openness have ideas that are often unconventional. However, their ideas may also be seen as impractical. Because their creativity knows no bounds, they may come up with ideas without considering how much value they hold in reality.
Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness is the level of impulse control a person has in order to meet (or exceed!) their goals.
Conscientiousness describes an individual’s ability to forego instant gratification and is often seen as highly self-disciplined, efficient, and organized. Those low in this trait may have an easy-going and lax attitude, which may lead to procrastination and carelessness. Interestingly enough, being high in Conscientiousness is associated with being a fantastic dancer and higher responsiveness to tempo changes [2].
Prepared (+)
Someone high in Conscientiousness often plans and prepares before the actual event. They dislike spontaneity. They are organized and always come into situations well-prepared.
Attention to Detail (+)
Conscientiousness also describes an individual who is meticulous and pays attention to every detail.
People high in conscientiousness are likely to ensure every detail is exactly right and no mistakes are made in order to achieve their goal.
Hardworking (+)
Someone who is high on Conscientiousness are often industrious and hardworking. They often finish important tasks right away and engage in mostly goal-directed behaviors.
Too Rigid (-)
Spending most of their time preparing, individuals who score high in Conscientiousness may sometimes be too rigid. They may dislike or even be unable to deal with situations that don’t go according to plan.
Over-serious (-)
Often engaging in goal-directed behaviors, one may see them as too serious. They often prioritize work over play, which may be excessively serious in some situations.
Extraversion
Extraversion is the inclination of a person towards seeking out interaction with the outside world, particularly in social situations. Extraversion is typically characterized by someone who is outgoing and feels energized in social situations. Those low on Extraversion may tend to preserve their energy and are often seen as more solitary or reserved. Extraverts have more dopamine (brain chemical responsible for happiness) receptors in their brains, as they have a higher tendency to seek out rewards and pleasure [3].
Sociable (+)
Often being the life of the party, those high in Extraversion tend to be outgoing and sociable. They often have a wide circle of friends and tend to gravitate towards meeting new people.
Excitement-Seeking (+)
Extraverts tend to engage in activities that would bring them excitement and joy. They also seek excitement by interacting with the environment which includes both other people and fun activities.
Enthusiastic (+)
With high levels of energy in social settings, Extraverts are often seen as enthusiastic to people around them. Since they also don’t mind being the center of attention, they often raise the spirits of those around them.
Hedonistic (-)
Being excited and pleasure-seeking, Extraverts may sometimes be hedonistic. Often going to parties and other social activities, they may be constantly seeking the next “high” or activity that stimulates them.
Impulsive (-)
Being an Extravert may also sometimes mean thinking aloud. This means that some extraverts may say things before thinking through them. This may sometimes get them in trouble when they say the wrong things.
Agreeableness
Agreeableness describes the ability to get along with other people in the community by prioritizing the needs of others over their own. Those high in Agreeableness may be seen as more altruistic, kind, empathetic, and helpful. Those low in Agreeableness may be seen as more analytical, self-serving, and show lless interest in others. People high in Agreeableness tend to be more forgiving and less likely to seek revenge.
Empathetic (+)
People high in Agreeableness tend to be more soft-hearted and empathetic towards others. They show a great deal of empathy towards others and enjoy serving others.
Trust (+)
High Agreeableness is associated with high levels of trust. Agreeable individuals tend to be more trusting, often giving the benefit of the doubt to others.
Altruism (+)
Agreeable individuals often prioritize the concerns of others above their own. This means that they would usually be happy to carry out tasks for others, sometimes even at their own expense.
Conflict-Avoidant (-)
An overly Agreeable individual may comply for the sake of avoiding conflict. This may be bad in certain situations as they just follow what they have been told, instead of thinking for themselves.
Gullible (-)
Often seeing the best in others, they may be easily cheated. Always trusting others, their trust may be taken advantage of by some individuals.
Neuroticism
Neuroticism is associated with low tolerance for stress or adverse stimuli. Neuroticism is the emotional stability of an individual. Someone high in Neuroticism may respond to stressors with negative emotions such as sadness, moodiness, and anxiety. However, individuals low in Neuroticism are more emotionally stable and resilient. There are interventions that have been shown to decrease Neuroticism and reduce psychological distress.
Proactive (+)
Because they are sensitive towards negative outcomes, people high in Neuroticism may be more likely to notice things going wrong. This may help them predict possible failures and proactively solve them.
Risk-averse (+)
Neurotic individuals tend to lean towards pessimistic. This makes them avoid risks that may not be in their favor, and avoid any unnecessary gambles and losses.
Anxious (-)
Individuals who score high in Neuroticism tend to be more anxious when they perceive the situation to be negative.
Hostile (-)
Highly Neurotic individuals tend to experience a lot of stress. Sometimes, it may be more than they can bear and lash out on others in the form of hostility.
Self-conscious (-)
Because they are constantly thinking about how things will go wrong in their own mind, Neurotic individuals are highly self-conscious. This makes them overly aware on what others think of them.
How to determine your personality traits?
To uncover your unique personality traits and innate strengths, take the scientifically validated HIGH5 strengths assessment. By completing our questionnaire, you’ll gain invaluable insights into where you fall on the spectrum for each of the Big 5 personality traits. This personalized profile will reveal your natural strengths and I provide actionable strategies for leveraging them in your personal and professional life. Whether you’re seeking career fulfillment, better relationships, or personal growth, understanding your strengths is the first step toward living a more purposeful life.
By taking the HIGH5 strengths assessment, you’ll uncover your personality traits, as well as your unique combination of natural strengths. This deeper level of self-awareness will help you understand what truly motivates and energizes you, giving you a clearer sense of purpose. The HIGH5 assessment goes beyond general personality descriptions to provide actionable insights into your specific talents, allowing you to align your personal and professional choices with your innate strengths for greater fulfillment and success. So, take the first step and find out your natural strengths. Take the assessment now!
Pro Tip From HIGH5
After taking the HIGH5 assessment, reflect on how your top strengths have manifested in your life thus far. Identify situations where you felt most energized and engaged, and explore ways to intentionally align future endeavors with those strengths.
How do I change my personality traits?
While the Big 5 personality traits have a significant genetic component, making drastic personality changes can be challenging. Rather than attempting to overhaul your core personality, aim to understand and develop your natural strengths. The HIGH5 strengths assessment provides a comprehensive profile of your unique strengths, enabling you to identify areas for growth and develop strategies to leverage your innate talents. By aligning your goals and activities with your core strengths, you can experience greater fulfillment and success without compromising your authentic self.
On a different note, studies have also shown that aging may have a slight impact on the Big 5 personality traits. Over time, individuals tend to become less extroverted, less neurotic, and less open to experience; and more agreeable and conscientiousness increases over time [4]. However, these are only minor changes. This means that instead of changing our entire personality, we should work to develop what we have. By developing your natural personality, you can be in tune with your true self and drive progress in your career and life.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
After identifying your top strengths through the HIGH5 assessment, set specific goals for leveraging those strengths in your daily life. For example, if you score high on Conscientiousness, you could aim to implement better time-management strategies or establish routines that foster productivity.
How can my personality affect others?
Our personalities constantly shape the dynamics of our relationships and environments. Without realizing it, someone high in Neuroticism may inadvertently influence those around them to adopt a more negative mindset. Understanding your unique personality profile through the HIGH5 strengths assessment can foster greater self-awareness and empathy in your interactions. In personal or professional contexts, this self-knowledge empowers you to communicate more effectively, manage conflicts constructively, and bring out the best in those around you.
So, be aware of your strengths and weaknesses in order to positively influence those around you. Even your perception is sometimes based on your personality. An Extraverted individual may see an Introverted individual as timid or shy. However, an Introverted individual may see their fellow Introverts as reflective or meditative. As another example, someone low in Agreeableness may not naturally be empathetic. By understanding this, you may be more forgiving and don’t take it personally if they fail to show you the empathetic response you were expecting.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
After understanding your HIGH5 strengths, practice “strengths spotting” in others. This involves recognizing and appreciating the unique strengths of those around you, fostering a positive environment that celebrates diverse talents and promotes better teamwork.
Big 5 character traits FAQ
Does the Big 5 model explain personality?
The main purpose of the Big 5 model is to explain personality. In particular, the Big 5 or Five-Factor model divides human personality into five components and considers that people possess five main personality traits: Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Openness, and Neuroticism. These five basic personality traits fall on a spectrum. An individual can be at any point on a continuum between the two extreme points. The Big 5 model helps people understand their core personality traits and values and compare themselves with others based on those characteristics. People can find out who they’re compatible with and their best-fit jobs.
Who made the Big 5 personality traits?
The Five-Factor Model is often attributed to two famous scholars, Robert McCrae and Paul Costa. In actuality, their research team developed the NEO Personality Inventory (or NEO-PI). The Big 5 personality traits were originally developed by American psychologist D. W. Fiske in 1949. Later, the theory was revised by other researchers, such as Norman, Smith, Goldberg, and McCrae & Costa [5].
Why is the Big 5 considered the best model of personality?
The Big 5 personality model is the most widely accepted personality model in modern research. The reason is that, unlike other models that reveal very few or too many personality traits, the Big 5 model consists of 5 core personality traits, and can be found in all individuals regardless of their age, gender, race, or ethnicity.
Conclusion
The journey of self-development begins with awareness. A useful tool to help you discover yourself is the Big 5 personality. It consists of five factors: Openness (to Experience), Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. Openness to Experience is the openness to consider new ideas. Conscientiousness is the level of persistence a person has to achieve a goal. Extraversion is the inclination of a person to seek out social interactions. Agreeableness describes the display of prosocial behaviors.
Neuroticism is associated with a low tolerance for stress and other adverse stimuli. By understanding where you stand on the continuum of each dimension, you will be able to find out your innate strengths as well as areas to watch out for. You will then be able to use this information as a map in your journey of self-discovery.
References:
- Komarraju, M., Karau, S. J., Schmeck, R. R., & Avdic, A. (2011). The Big 5 personality traits, learning styles, and academic achievement. Personality and Individual Differences, 51(4), 472–477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2011.04.019.
- Carlson, E., Burger, B., London, J., Thompson, M. R., & Toiviainen, P. (2016). Conscientiousness and Extraversion relate to responsiveness to tempo in dance. Human movement science, 49, 315–325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2016.08.006.
- Depue Richard a., Fu Yu. On the nature of extraversion: variation in conditioned contextual activation of dopamine-facilitated affective, cognitive, and motor processes. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. Vol. 7, (2023). https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2013.00288.
- Chopik, W. J., & Kitayama, S. (2018). Personality change across the life span: Insights from a cross-cultural, longitudinal study. Journal of personality, 86(3), 508–521. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12332.
- Cherry K., (2023). What Are the Big 5 Personality Traits?. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-big-five-personality-dimensions-2795422.
