People Who Say What Needs To Be Said When No One Else Will Usually Have 9 Distinct Traits
Ground Picture | Shutterstock Speaking up for what's right when others are afraid takes a special kind of bravery, and the person who possesses it has unique personality traits that make them who they are.
They care about solving problems and investing in relationships. They’d prefer to be honest rather than pretend everything is fine. There’s a fine line between brutal honesty and saying what needs to be said when it's not exactly easy, and these people toe that line with absolute grace.
People who aren't afraid to say what needs to be said even when nobody else will have distinct personality traits:
1. They’re incredibly observant
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People who are truly honest notice things that others miss, which helps them piece together parts of stories and experiences that most will never consider. They understand when people are just trying to protect their comfort, and they’re willing to take one for the team to get to the point or topic that needs to be discussed.
They have a better understanding of social energy in conversations, and can tailor how they bring something up to be most productive for everyone, because they’re aligned with it. Compared to someone who’s only looking out for their best interests, these people tend to care for and consider everyone. They don't wield honesty like a weapon.
2. They don’t back down in hard conversations
These people aren’t going to drop crazy accusations or say something entirely out-of-pocket, and then run in the other direction. They’re present and committed to solving conflicts and resolving issues, even when it’s not always easy or comfortable.
Yes, it’s hard to have these conversations, and it's annoying when someone brings issues to the surface while everyone else is actively avoiding them, but in the long run, resolution promotes better health and well-being for everyone.
3. They’re earnest
Instead of covering their tracks with “I’m just being honest” or using the easy out of being a brutally honest person, people who are earnestly honest say things for the betterment of everyone. They’re never honest for the sake of bringing someone else down or being intentionally spiteful, even if it would be easy to.
They say what needs to be said, not because it makes them feel better or superior, but because they care about people.
4. They’re problem-solvers
These are the kind of people you go to when you really need help. Everyone else might be running from confrontation or sugar-coating their feelings, but you can almost always trust these people to face issues head-on.
They don’t hide from the truth, even if that means challenging their own thoughts and beliefs in the process.
5. They know how to keep their composure
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When we lean into hard conversations and uncomfortable topics that can feel easier to run from, we’re actually investing in ourselves. Sometimes we have to seek out discomfort to grow and evolve as people, especially in relationships we want to keep.
These kinds of people deliver the hard news and express their emotions without a filter because they’re in the game of growth. Each time they do, they practice regulating their own emotions and figuring out how to face hardship in small doses.
Yes, they want everyone else to feel comfortable and safe, but they also protect their own energy, and sometimes, that means setting hard boundaries and saying hard things.
6. They don’t lead with their ego
People who lead with their ego are mostly focused on dominance and status. They care more about seeming right and shifting narratives to serve their social interests than about being honest and considerate of others.
However, someone with an earnest sense of truth doesn’t lead with their ego. Even if saying the truth doesn’t always help their social perception or makes other people feel uncomfortable for a few moments, they’re willing to get to the root of issues and conflict to build better relationships.
7. They’re brave
We often think about bravery in terms of grandiose actions and overwhelming fear, but the truth is, you can spot a truly courageous person in hard conversations like these. It’s not easy to speak your truth, especially around people who are clearly comfortable letting things be swept under the rug, but these people make an effort.
When people are more comfortable sitting with uncertainty in social interactions and letting their feelings exist without an immediate fix, they create better conversations across all kinds of environments.
8. They can read the energy of a room
Socially aware people are the best at having hard conversations, because they know when people are most receptive to what they have to say. They can read the room and sense the energy, ensuring that the truth they’re going to share is dropped at just the right moment.
Not only does social awareness lead to better casual interactions and conversations, but it supports them when things get tough during conflicts, arguments, and debates.
9. They don’t fluff their words
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Most highly intelligent people are intentionally simpler when they’re speaking, because they understand the importance of accessibility and understanding in their conversations. They don’t try to use big words or make conversations more complicated, trying to protect people’s feelings. They just speak their most honest, clear truth.
Fluffing your words and using all kinds of roundabout language can make people feel more comfortable in the moment, but if the issue is never addressed, resentment and confusion are bound to happen.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor’s degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
