12 Good Personality Traits to Have at Work

Good colleagues inject fun and positive energy into our workday. They work with us to achieve common goals and are a big part of why we look forward to showing up for work. Stimulating co-workers make the team stronger and, by extension, the company. Having good personality traits for jobs not only makes you happy as a person, but it also makes your colleagues happy too.

Our happiness at work bears a direct correlation with our performance. A dynamic working environment breeds fresh ideas and perspectives for creative breakthroughs. But the people, not the space, make it what it is. Everyone plays a part in defining a company’s work culture and environment.

How Positive Personality Traits Affect Your Work

Having a positive attitude and good traits can affect the work that you do and the way you work. According to Dr. Blaine Landis, an assistant professor at University College London, personality can affect career success. He says that a person’s character can affect job fit for a team and an organisation. 

Having an upbeat personality can also affect your productivity and outlook at work. If you are positive and have a good perspective, you tackle work with a clear head and look forward to working.

What Traits You Should Have At Work

Be successful as an employee and be everyone’s favourite at work with this list of personality traits.

1. Open

Being receptive to different perspectives is an important quality that enhances teamwork and productivity. It does not mean you should agree to everything and be a pushover. It simply means respecting varying opinions and having the humility to accept constructive criticism of your work. You do not always have to agree with them, but peer reviews can be a great way to improve and grow.

2. Willing to learn

Career growth is not just about getting promoted. Growth can be learning new skills or gaining new knowledge while on the job. When your teammates notice that you’re always curious about their work and take time to pick up new skills, they can rally for you if you decide to switch roles. 

(Read more: How a Growth Mindset Can Help You Keep Up With the Times)

3. Flexible

Adaptability to change is key for continued growth, particularly for creative working environments and competitive industries. It is now more important than ever to keep up with the rapid pace of technological developments — how we live, work, and play has been completely transformed and continues to evolve daily. It’s not just that. It’s also how well you accept change in the workplace. For example, if there is a restructuring in your organisation, how well do you take the news?

4. Accountable

Taking ownership of your work and responsibilities tells your team members that they can rely on you to get the job done when you say you will. It shows integrity and trustworthiness when you hold yourself accountable to deadlines and delivery standards, particularly when you own up to mistakes and focus on the big picture rather than making excuses for why you dropped the ball. 

5. Self-starter

Your initiative says a lot about your character. Being quick on your feet to pick up the slack when you see your team members struggling with a task or simply pitching in with fresh ideas and constructive feedback without being asked to do so will earn you brownie points with the team. Everyone appreciates a helpful team member!

6. Empathetic

Showing empathy for fellow workers when facing personal or professional problems makes a bigger difference than you might realise. Just the simple fact that someone else cares about what you are going through makes you feel appreciated and alleviates some stress. Empathy also helps form a bond between the two parties, fostering greater trust and mutual respect.

7. Team player

Show what a stellar team player you are by staying focused on the job and prioritising the company’s goals. Be collaborative. During meetings and brainstorming sessions, share your input, and give feedback on what others suggest. Share new knowledge if you think it is relevant to your colleagues. Offer to help if you can, and you can see that your teammates need an extra pair of hands. Do not get sidetracked by office politics and taking sides. That is not what you are paid to do. Your teammates will respect you more for it and appreciate your professionalism.

8. Problem-solver

Ever noticed how some people start pointing fingers when a problem occurs? This defensive reaction does absolutely nothing to solve the problem and is counter-productive in so many ways. It is important to identify the cause of the problem to prevent a recurrence, but the priority should be solving the problem and damage control rather than naming and shaming. Wow your team members with your creative problem-solving skills, and you will instantly become their favourite go-to person.

9. Creative

Being creative is not just being a writer or designer. Creativity can mean thinking outside of the box. If you encounter a problem, sometimes the solution requires you to stretch yourself beyond the usual answers. When your colleagues notice that you can think differently regarding solutions, your inputs also become more valuable in discussions.

10. Efficient

Work smarter, not harder. That is how efficient people work. Being efficient means managing your time and effort well, so you finish tasks on time. When you are efficient, people can count on you to meet the deadlines you set or commit to. When you work efficiently, you are meticulous in detail, but you know the work does not always have to be perfect. After all, dwelling on perfection can delay the job. 

11. Resourceful

When you are efficient, you are also more likely to be resourceful. You find ways to solve problems and setbacks. If you lack the information to complete a task, you go out of your way to get it so you can proceed. You make the most of what you have to get the job done instead of saying you cannot do it. 

12. Professional

It is good to connect with your colleagues and get along with them. But you should also be professional. Make sure you communicate respectfully and keep your language appropriate for the workplace. You can still make jokes, but you will want to keep it professional so your colleagues will look at you with favour.

Remember that you do not have to be perfect in these. Instead, ensure you’re mindful of these at work and keep practising them to consistently maintain a set of good personality traits. At the end of the day, we like working with pleasant, trustworthy, and reliable people. It makes work more enjoyable, and the eight-hour workday goes faster.

#SEEKBetter work now and develop good personality traits for jobs you’ll interview for! Update your profile at JobStreet and find the work that gives you passion and purpose. 

For more expert tips and advice on working with colleagues and improving yourself at work, check out our Career Resources Hub.