Everyone remembers Bill Murray’s character, Phil Connors, in the movie “Groundhog Day”.
Phil finds himself trapped in a time loop; he’s forced to relive the same day – February 2 – repeatedly. Over the course of the time loop, and movie, Phil transforms from self-centered and cynical into a more empathetic and proactive person, ultimately making a life decision that Phil, at the beginning of the story, would probably have never made.
Although life is never like it is in the movies, there’s a larger question at play – do our personalities change over time? Or even – do we have the power to change our own personalities?
Anyone who has ever shown up to a high school or college reunion thinks the same thing – is he or she the same person I knew 20 years ago? Or even: Am I the same person I was back then – or have I changed?
Phil’s transformation in the film is a great example of how, with consistent effort and a little intention, we can influence our own behaviors – and, perhaps, change our personality.
Research suggests that while our core personality traits are relatively stable, they are not impervious to change. The process of altering one’s personality traits may require substantial time and consistent effort, but it is indeed possible. There’s an important caveat: we’re not wired to be chameleons. There’s a personal cost to color-changing to suit our environment.
But, by understanding the dynamics of personality change and practical applications in the workplace, you can see and feel a difference in the work you do. As well, HR and L&D professionals can develop tailored strategies to support the development and well-being of their organization’s people.
There are three factors that have the power to shift your personality: your age, your life experiences, and intentional shifts you make. As you can imagine, when any of these factors shift, change, or evolve, your personality evolves – as do your WorkPlace Big Five Profileᵀᴹ scores.
Let’s explore the three factors and how they change your profile scores.
The Three Factors That Have the Power To Change Your Personality
YOUR AGE
Personality traits often evolve naturally as people age. It’s not a grand sweeping change, but more of a shift. Remember navigating life from your teenage years into the full swing of adulthood? Your circumstances changed—and your personality shifted to support your life and your circumstances, too. That shift continues to happen across your lifespan. Another example of this is something we observe in WorkPlace Big Five Profileᵀᴹ results – people tend to increase in the Big Five supertraits Accommodation and Consolidation as they grow older.
Here’s a quick view of how several key WorkPlace Big Five Profileᵀᴹ scores might evolve when we age, or, we’ll say – grow older and wiser.
𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: As we face life’s ups and downs, we tend to become emotionally sturdier. This might mean experiencing fewer mood swings and a better handle on stress. In a professional setting, this increased emotional stability can enhance resilience, allowing you to manage work pressures better and maintain productivity.
𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻/𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: As we age, some of us might find ourselves becoming the life of the party, while others might appreciate quiet evenings more. It often depends on how our social and work lives are shaped or how the social needs evolve.
O𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Those adventurous twenties can lead to a spike in creativity and curiosity as we’re exposed to new ideas and cultures. However, this trait might level off as we settle into our beliefs, habits, and interactions with the world. Fostering curiosity and a growth mindset can help sustain this creativity throughout your career.
𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Ever find yourself getting more cooperative and compassionate as you age? It’s not just you! Building relationships and navigating professional environments often require us to be more agreeable, and we tend to get better at it as we mature.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Stepping up in the world, whether in careers or personal lives, often means our self-discipline and organization get a boost. As we tackle more complex tasks, our need to be diligent grows. Moving toward retirement, we may ease up on our professional drive.
YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCES
Context and experiences shape personality expression. Life experiences, such as changing job roles, moving, or significant life events like marriage or parenthood, can influence personality development.
We’re shaped by those big life experience shifts – but also more subtle ones, too. People often make these shifts without awareness, mimicking the behaviors of those around them. A good example is perhaps new people in your life – new neighbors or new co-workers. Their role or appearance in your life might be more subtle, but they have the power to shift your personality, as well.
Here’s a quick view of how your WorkPlace Big Five Profileᵀᴹ scores might evolve with our life experiences.
𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Notice how you might be more outgoing in familiar social settings? That’s because our personality traits are responsive, adapting to the vibes and contexts we find ourselves in.
𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵: In a strict corporate office, your spontaneous side might be tempered, while a creative workspace could allow your individuality to flourish. Our environments can strengthen or suppress different aspects of our personalities.
𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿: From being a leader at work to a friend at the dinner table, each role might bring out different shades of our personality, showing our adaptability without completely changing who we are.
𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Experiences like studying abroad or working in diverse teams can subtly broaden your perspectives, gently nudging your personality to embrace new traits.
𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: Major life events—like marriage or parenthood—often lead to subtle shifts in our personalities, enhancing traits like responsibility or emotional stability.
𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗽𝘀: Positive experiences, such as a successful presentation, can boost your confidence and reinforce your self-perception. These feedback loops gradually nudge your personality towards being more assertive without drastically altering your core self. Recognizing and leveraging these loops can foster continuous personal and professional growth.
INTENTIONAL SHIFTS – YOUR PERSONAL PROJECTS
Because intentional shifts are, in theory, a player’s choice – your choice – it’s hard to show you how your WorkPlace Big Five Profileᵀᴹ scores might evolve. Instead, we want to help you think through and take action on intentional shifts – and then, watch what happens in your life and your personality.
People can also intentionally influence their personality traits through sustained effort and behaviors, such as through coaching, self-reflection, setting specific personal goals, and practicing new behaviors that align with those goals. Consider it like a personal project. Brian Little’s work on “personal projects” is a game-changer for how we understand personality and describes what we often intuitively know about ourselves.
He suggests that our personalities have an adaptable feature and can be shaped by our deliberate actions.
Here’s how you can start shaping your personality through personal projects:
Identify clear goals: Think about what traits you’d like to develop or refine. Are you aiming to be more assertive or perhaps more meticulous?
Incorporate small changes: Introduce small, manageable behaviors that align with your goals into your daily routine.
Stay the course: Persistence is key. Regular practice helps cement these new behaviors into your personality.
Seek feedback: Engage with colleagues and mentors to get feedback on your changes. This can provide motivation and help you adjust your approach as needed.
Manage your energy: Be mindful that pushing against your natural tendencies can be draining. Balance is crucial—ensure you’re not overextending yourself.
Trying to shift our personality might feel awkward because it challenges our deeply ingrained habits and self-perceptions. It might even feel like you’re creating a sense of internal conflict. Additionally, it can lead to uncertainty about how others will react to the changes, making social interactions feel strained or inauthentic. Finally, it can disrupt our comfort zone, leading to feelings of vulnerability and discomfort as we navigate unfamiliar behaviors and attitudes.
Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re interested in making some intentional shifts:
● Don’t expect radical changes: Think in terms of minor adjustments versus big, bold, radical changes to your personality or circumstances – at either work or at home.
● Respect and appreciate your personality: Your personality is what makes you authentically YOU! Living in your most natural state will help you feel your best.
● Each of us makes minor adjustments to adjust to shifting contexts: To a certain extent, you have figured out how to make adjustments that work for your personality and life or work experiences. For example, you might say to yourself: I need to be very focused on details when proofreading, but it’s not natural for me. When focused on strategy, I am all about the big picture. I rely on others to help me see the details I know I’ll naturally miss.
● Expect it to feel challenging at first: Little points out that these changes can be challenging because they often conflict with our innate personality traits. It’s like trying to write with your non-dominant hand—it feels awkward at first, but with practice, it can become more natural.
WHY THIS WORK MATTERS
Understanding the subtle shifts in your personality – from your age, life experiences at work or at home, and the intentional shifts you want to make – can be a powerful tool for enhancing work performance and personal well-being.
By recognizing how different environments and roles influence our behavior, we can better align our work with our evolving strengths and preferences. This awareness not only boosts our effectiveness but also enhances our job satisfaction and emotional resilience.
Also, it’s important to consider that while you are experiencing these shifts to your personality over life and circumstances, everyone else in your world – at work or at home – is also going through these shifts. Their personalities are shifting and evolving, as well.
When you’re aware of that, you have the power to enhance relationships with understanding, empathy, respect, and communication. Those traits strengthen trust and connection – at work and at home.
To discover more about the WorkPlace Big Five Profileᵀᴹ:
https://paradigmpersonality.com/products/
