Have you ever revisited an old Facebook post and felt embarrassed? As per Olga Khazan, a staff writer at The Atlantic, that feeling indicates something significant: your personality has evolved, even if you were unaware of the change.
In our latest episode, Khazan, who has recently authored a book on the science behind personality change, explains that our personalities are not rigid but adaptable traits that can be actively modified to meet our objectives. The discussion focuses on the “Big Five” personality characteristics — Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN) — and how they influence financial success and career growth.
For those working a typical 9-to-5 job, developing personality traits can enhance career progress. Khazan notes that conscientiousness—characterized by being organized, punctual, and detail-oriented—has a direct link to success in the workplace. She recommends reducing clutter in both your physical environment and your commitments to boost productivity.
For introverts dealing with workplace dynamics, she advises "cosplaying as an extrovert" by participating in regular group activities that are difficult to withdraw from. Over time, social interactions may become less exhausting, opening up more opportunities for advancement.
When interacting with coworkers, she emphasizes the importance of posing thoughtful questions about their experiences rather than merely gathering basic information—this fosters authentic connections that can lead to promotions and new prospects.
If you find yourself hesitant about new financial opportunities like entrepreneurship or real estate investing, Khazan suggests learning from individuals who have experienced success in similar fields. Research indicates that you are more likely to apply strategies effectively when you learn them from peers rather than experts.
In discussing successful entrepreneurs, Khazan points out they commonly exhibit three main traits: high extraversion (energy for social interaction), low agreeableness (capability to make difficult decisions), and low neuroticism (emotional stability for risk-taking).
Consider Steve Jobs—not always the kindest individual, but his mix of vision, decisiveness, and comfort with risk led to the creation of one of the world’s most valuable companies.
The key message? Don’t limit yourself by saying, “that’s just not who I am.” Instead, take gradual daily actions towards your goal, and you’ll progressively develop the personality traits necessary for success.
Timestamps for Suni/Youtube ONLY (in blue)
(0:00) Introduction and definition of personality
(3:56) Overview of the Big Five personality traits – OCEAN (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism)
(5:32) Origins of the Big Five – researchers synthesized thousands of descriptive terms
(8:04) How to intentionally alter personality – executing specific actions
(9:36) Explanation of Openness – embracing new experiences vs. sticking to what is familiar
(11:49) Enhancing openness – start with small steps in unfamiliar areas
(15:20) Strategies for improving conscientiousness – visualization and organization
(22:53) The importance of tracking time – monitoring duration aids in time management
(26:15) The relationship between extraversion and career success – expanding networks leads to new opportunities
(29:03) How introverts can cultivate extraversion – commit to consistent group activities
(33:09) Balancing agreeableness – establishing boundaries while preserving relationships
(36:50) Techniques for healthy agreeableness – asking insightful questions about experiences
(42:00) Ways to reduce neuroticism – practicing meditation and mindfulness to alleviate anxiety
(47:36) Personality traits of successful entrepreneurs – extroverted, low agreeableness, low neuroticism
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Have you ever revisited an old Facebook post and felt embarrassed? As pointed out by Olga Khazan, a staff writer for The Atlantic, that feeling of unease is a sign of something significant: your personality has evolved, even if you didn't realize it at the time.