There was a meditation from Headspace that talked about the difference between personality and character.
The premise was that personality can be shaped and changed while character is something that you are born with.
This underlines the debate between nature and nurture.
Are there traits we are born with or are they learned throughout our lives?
This comes up a lot when discussing self-assessment tests like CliftonStrengths, Meyers-Briggs, DISC, and more.
You can look at these tests in two ways:
- This assessment is giving me insight into myself that I can use to grow and develop.
- This assessment is putting me in a box that is limiting my ability to grow and develop.
My Story
The preference I lean toward is #1 – the insights make me stronger.
Gaining insight into myself and my preferences enables me to recognize strengths and weaknesses.
With knowledge and experience, these traits can continue to grow in a positive direction.
The more assessments I take, the deeper I understand myself and how I engage with the world.
This knowledge helps me show up as a better person when I’m engaging with others.
This is how I “nurture” my personality to celebrate the unique foundation or “nature” I was born with.
My goal is to take the good I was born with and strive for great.
That said, I hear the 2nd perspective above.
For those who feel the assessments are limiting them or putting them in a box, that is not healthy.
What works for one person may not be right for another.
Your Turn
Do you think personality assessments enable you to grow or limit your growth? Why?
Have you taken assessments?
Which did you connect with?