People Who Feel Fulfilled At Work No Matter What They Do Usually Display These 8 Traits
Do you have what it takes to build a truly rewarding career?
Alexander Grey | Pexels When it comes to knowing how to find the best jobs and most fulfilling careers, men and women with certain dominant personality traits have a leg up on the competition. Finding the right career, a career that really works for you, makes everything about it seem aligned. You feel useful, valued, and driven by a mission. Your material and psychological needs are met, your self-esteem is high, and your work is a vehicle for self-expression.
You can succeed in virtually any job with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. If you possess certain innate qualities, you’ll be miles ahead in getting further with your career. You'll be more naturally attuned to game-changing insights, effective strategies, and easily executed goals.
And in all of this, your specific set of personality traits matters, as they impact your view of the world, your preferred ways of working, and the drivers of your behavior.
Here are eight personality traits shared by people who feel fulfilled at work, no matter what they do:
1. They are self-aware
The biggest secret to a fulfilling career is knowing who you are. Self-aware people reflect on themselves and their experiences, and they course-correct as needed. They choose a career that matches their interests, passions, strengths, values, and ways of working — their authentic personality.
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When you love what you do and do what you are, you shine. Your energy is contagious, and people truly enjoy working with you or around you. You harvest your gifts and bring them to the world each and every day of your career.
2. They are courageous
Having a fulfilling career doesn't mean you have to be ambitious; you just have to be brave. You have to move away from what's draining you and move toward what energizes you. Don't be afraid to leave things behind and never look back.
Be wise enough to know that a job is not a forever choice and that, sometimes, you need to step back before you can move forward. Sometimes you won't have perfect information, but you go for it anyway. Simply put: Courageous people take chances, and opportunities create careers.
3. They keep an open mind
Being open means being curious and having the capacity and eagerness to learn. People who remain open are perpetual observers, listeners, and reflectors. They understand that their knowledge and perspectives can always be changed or improved, and they never think that their way is the only way.
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Think of it like being a tourist in your career: You're always exploring new experiences, taking in information, and improving the way you work. You break boundaries and redefine for yourself what success looks like.
4. They are truthful
If you're honest with people, you’ll get much further in your career. Integrity is considered by many to be the number one sought-after quality in an employee. People need to be able to trust you and your work, whether it’s your boss, your colleagues, or your clients.
Most of all, people who have satisfying careers are honest with themselves about who they are, what they want, and what it will take to succeed. Even if it means disappointing other people, they know that prioritizing themselves and their well-being is the most important thing.
5. They are humble
Humility might be the most crucial personality trait in leadership. Humble people don't think of themselves as better than anyone else because everyone has a unique contribution to make.
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They are connected to what they're good at and are not afraid to say what isn't in their wheelhouse. They promote themselves in a confident yet modest way because their values drive them, and they're secure in themselves. Humble people empower others instead of knocking them down on their road to success.
6. They are resourceful
No matter how much knowledge, skills, and ability you have, you need to tap into other resources as well as your own in order to build a successful career.
Resourceful people leverage their network well, mine through online resources, enlist support from a mentor or professional coach, and seize moments that can propel them forward in whichever direction they've chosen.
7. They adapt to change
Nothing is constant. Agile people understand that a career is a journey, not a destination. A few bumps in the road along the way aren't enough to set them off course.
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Adaptable people are flexible and versatile when they need to be — even when it feels out of preference or uncomfortable. They can get along well with colleagues, manage changes in business strategies, and deal with the inevitable ebbs and flows of their careers.
8. They demonstrate responsibility
Responsible people are organized, diligent, and dutiful. They take charge of their decisions and actions, and they answer to themselves for their outcomes. In their careers, responsible types are full of intent and guided by self-will. There is a stick-to-it-ness in them that propels them forward. Responsible people win in the long haul!
The reality is that engagement at work and creating a successful, fulfilling career start with you. If you've got the above personality traits in spades, congratulations! You're likely to have a career that you can look back on someday with pride and contentment.
If you're not quite there, don't be disheartened. There is always time to begin again, uncover your natural gifts, stretch yourself, and be happier every Monday from now on.
Lisa Petsinis is an ICF-credentialed life and career transition coach. Her bylines have appeared on Psych Central, The Good Men Project, Parade, Prevention, The Minds Journal, PopSugar, and All4Women, as well as many others.
