What is Personality Development?

Personality Development quintessentially means enhancing and grooming ones outer and inner self to bring about a positive change to your life. Each individual has a distinct persona that can be developed, polished, and refined. This process includes boosting ones confidence, improving communication and language speaking abilities, widening one\'s scope of knowledge, developing certain hobbies or skills, learning fine etiquettes and manners, adding style and grace to the way one looks, talks and walks, and overall imbibing oneself with positivity, liveliness, and peace.

The whole process of this development takes place over some time. Even though there are many crash courses in personality development that are made available to people of all age groups, implementing this to your routine and bringing about a positive change in oneself takes a considerable amount of time. It is not necessary to join a personality development course; one can take a few tips and develop his or her aura or charm.

What is Personality Development?

Personality development is defined as a process of developing and enhancing ones personality. Personality development helps an individual to gain confidence and high self-esteem.

Personality development also is said to have a positive impact on ones communication skills and the way he sees the world. Individuals tend to develop a positive attitude as a result of personality development.

Let us go through some tips for enhancing ones personality:

Smile a lot - Nothing works better than a big smile when it comes to interacting with people around. Do not forget to flash your trillion-dollar smile quite often. Believe me, it works! As they say a smile is a curve that sets everything straight. A smiling face wins even the toughest soul. Wear your smile while interacting with others. Smile not only helps in enhancing an individuals personality but also winning others hearts.

Think positive- It is essential to think positively. Remember there is light at the end of every dark tunnel. Do not always think negatively as it not only acts as a demotivating factor but also makes an individual dull and frustrated. Dont get upset over minor things. Be a little flexible and always look at the broader perspectives of life.

  • Dress Sensibly- Dressing sensibly and smartly go a long way in honing ones personality. One needs to dress according to the occasion. How would a female look if she wears a sari to a discotheque? Ridiculous! No matter how expensive your sari is, you cant wear it to a night club or a pub where everyone is dressed in smart casuals. Price has nothing to do with smart dressing. An individual who is well dressed is respected and liked by all. No one would take you seriously if you do not wear suitable clothes fitting with occasions. Do take care of the fit of the dress as well. An individual should wear clothes as per his/her body type, height, physique, and so on. Someone who is bulky would not look very impressive in body-hugging clothes. It is not necessary that something which looks good on your friend would also look good on you. Wear the right make up. You do not have to apply loud makeup to look good and attractive. Even minimal make-up, if applied sensibly can make you stand apart from the rest.
  • Be soft-spoken - Do not always find faults in others. Fighting and quarreling lead to no solution. Be polite to others. Be very careful of what you speak. Avoid being rude and short-tempered.
  • Leave your ego behind-An individual needs to hide his ego everywhere he goes. Be it office or workplace you need to leave your ego behind if you wish to win appreciation from others. An individual who is good from within is loved by all.
  • Avoid Backbiting- Backstabbing and criticizing people are negative traits that work against an individuals personality. Learn to appreciate others. If someone has done some extraordinary task, do not forget to give a pat on his/her back. Believe me; the other person will speak highly of you even when you are not around. Do not spread unnecessary rumors about someone. An individual should not try to interfere too much in someones personal life. Dishonesty, cheating, lies tarnish your image and people start avoiding you in the long run. If your friend is seeing someone, you have absolutely no right to make his/her affair national news.
  • Help others- Do not always think of harming others. Share whatever you know. Remember no one can steal your knowledge. Always help others
  • Confidence- Confidence is the key to a positive personality. Exude confidence and a positive aura wherever you go.
  • A Patient listener-Be a patient listener. Never interrupt when others are speaking. Try to imbibe the good qualities of others.

Let us first understand what does character means?

Character refers to the sum of an individuals qualities and characteristics that differentiate him/her from others. An individuals character is actually an amalgamation of his/her qualities which makes him unique and helps him stand apart from the rest.

Character plays an essential role in Personality Development

Remember personality development is not only about looking good and wearing expensive brands. It is also about developing ones inner self and being a good human being. More than anyone else, you are answerable to yourself. Do not do anything which you yourself are not convinced of. An individual is nervous only when he is ashamed of what he is doing. Character is something which an individual is born with and seldom changes with time as against behavior. Honesty is an individuals inherent characteristics that would never change irrespective of his/her situation or circumstance. Would you steal or cheat others just because you do have enough savings with you at the moment? Absolutely NOT It is just NOT there in your blood.

A person with a good character finds acceptance wherever he goes and is respected by all. Character includes traits such as:

Honesty Leadership Trust Courage Patience

You cant force an individual to be loyal towards his organization or for that matter his family members. Character is something that comes from within and is often long-lived. A good character helps you develop a winning personality. In other words, a good character is the backbone of a magnetic personality that attracts other people.

One needs to be honest at work. You need to develop a sense of loyalty and attachment to your organization. Commitment has to come from within. Dont just work for money. Dont attend the office just to fulfill your job responsibilities. Yes, you will receive your paycheck but what about your own satisfaction? There is no one who can measure your loyalty or commitment levels. You need to ask yourself Are you really happy with your performance?How much are you contributing to the success of your organization? Analyze your inner self. People who are not loyal to their organization often find work monotonous and a mere source of burden. The moment you start enjoying your work, your performance will automatically go up. If you waste half of your day, chatting with friends, or playing games on the internet no one would come to know except you. Do not lie to yourself. If your lunchtime is for an hour, make sure you do not waste two hours gossiping or loitering around.

Not everyone can be a good leader. You need to have leadership qualities to be able to lead your team well. If we take the example of Indian cricket, Sachin Tendulkar is an outstanding cricketer but records prove that he was not a very successful captain. You need to be cool-headed to be a good leader. Remember,

your team members might come up with any query which may be logical, may not be logical or relevant. You cant shout on them, else they will never open up.
An individual with a good character would in turn have a good personality. If you are extremely good looking but do not know how to behave, dont be surprised if you are ignored by others. Nothing is more important than your character and moral values. Never cheat others. Remember, life is nothing without ethics and values

Let us go through the following personality types:

The Duty Fulfiller - Such individuals take their roles and responsibilities seriously and perform whatever tasks are assigned to them. Duty fulfillers are serious individuals and believe in honesty and peaceful living. They never do anything which is not good for themselves, their job, families, or society. Such individuals are actually good and responsible citizens who abide by the legal system and cant even dream of breaking the law. People with such a personality type is extremely hard working and often find it difficult to say NO to others, eventually becoming overburdened at the end of the day. Such individuals adopt an organized approach to work and are extremely loyal and faithful. They also show a strong inclination toward creativity and aesthetics.

The Mechanic - As the name suggests such individuals are inclined towards machinery like an airplane, motorcycling, cars, races, and so on. They are interested to know why and how certain things function. Theories do not interest them. You would not be able to convince them unless and until they see the practical application themselves. Such individuals are extremely adventurous and have a strong power of logical reasoning.

The Nurturer - Nurturers are individuals with a large heart. For them, the happiness of others is more important than their own interests. Such individuals actually live for others. They do not look at the darker sides of life and believe in extracting the best out of people around them. They have a positive approach in life and want to believe only the best of people.

The Artist - Artists have an eye for natural beauty and creativity. Rather than worrying about the future, they believe in living for the moment. Such individuals are extremely cool-headed and do not get into unnecessary fights and troubles. They do not blindly copy others and aspire to create a style of their own.

The Protector - You would find such a personality type in very few people, making it a very rare personality type. Protectors are systematic individuals who want the best system to get things done. They often think irrationally. They are pessimists who find a problem in every situation. Such individuals do not trust others and only believe in themselves.

The Idealist - Such people have a strong set of values and ethics. They find happiness in helping others. They consider themselves lucky if they get an opportunity to help others.

The Scientist - Such individuals believe in careful and strategic planning. They are good observers who believe in constantly gathering information and upgrade their existing knowledge. Scientists are extremely intelligent people who have a very sharp analytical mind.

The Doer - Individuals with such a personality type are the ones who believe in quick actions and immediate results. They enjoy taking risks in life and fulfill tasks assigned to them in the shortest span possible.

The Guardian - Such individuals are perfectionists who ensure that everything everywhere is going on smoothly. They are mature individuals who have a clear set of standards.

The Performer - Performers strive hard to grab the attention of others and love being the center of attention. They are fun-loving individuals who enjoy fun and excitement in life.

The Inspirer - Inspirers are talented individuals and often act as a role model for others. They have great people skills.

The Giver - Individuals with The Giver personality type enjoy the company of others and do not prefer staying alone.

The Executive - Such individuals are born to lead and make very good leaders. They love taking charge and are good decision-makers. An individuals behavior towards others, attitude, characteristics, mindset make his personality. Personality development is defined as a process of enhancing ones personality. Personality development sessions guide an individual as to how he/she can develop his/her personality.

Broadly there are five parameters that describe an individuals personality. These five dimensions are also called as Big Five Factors, and the model is referred to as the Five-Factor Model also abbreviated as FFM.
The Five-Factor Model was initially proposed by Costa & McCrae in the year 1992 and often describes the relationship between an individuals personality and various behaviors. Following are five personality traits of an individual:

Openness to experience

Individuals with openness to experience are generally very active, have a tremendous inclination towards creativity and aesthetics, and listen to their heart
i.e. follow their inner feelings. Such individuals are generally open to new learnings, skill sets, and experiences. People who score high on openness are quite broadminded and modern in their outlook as compared to individuals who score low on the same parameter. Such individuals are conservative, reluctant to changes, and have a traditional approach in life.

Conscientiousness: As the name suggests, individuals with a Conscientiousness personality trait listen to their conscience and act accordingly. Such individuals are extremely cautious and self-disciplined. They never perform any task in haste but think twice before acting. People with this personality trait are generally methodical and tend to become perfectionists in the long run. People who score high on conscientiousness are proactive, goal-oriented, and selfdisciplined. They strive hard to accomplish goals and objectives within the stipulated time frame. Individuals who score less are little laid back and are not many goals oriented.

Extraversion and Introversion: Carl Jung popularized both the terms - Extraversion and Introversion.

Extraversion: Extraversion refers to a state where individuals show more concern towards what is happening outside. Such individuals love interacting with people around and are generally talkative. They do not like spending time alone but love being the center of attraction at parties and social gatherings. Such individuals love going out, partying, meeting people, and often get bored when they are all by themselves. They admire the company of others and hate staying alone.

Introversion: Introversion, on the other hand, refers to a state when an individual is concerned only with his own life and nothing else. Such individuals do not bother about others and are seldom interested in what is happening around them. They prefer staying back at home rather than going out and spending time with friends. Such individuals speak less and enjoy their own company. You would never find them in meetings, clubs, parties, or social get-togethers. They generally do not have many friends and tend to rely on a few trusted ones.

Agreeableness

Agreeableness is a personality trait which teaches individuals to be adjusting in almost all situations. Such individuals do not crib and face changes with a smile. They accommodate themselves in all situations and are friendly and kind-hearted. People who score high on agreeableness are ready to help others and flash their trillion-dollar smile whenever a problem arises. Individuals who score low on agreeableness on the other hand find difficulties in adjusting with others and are a little unfriendly.

Neuroticism

Neuroticism is a trait where individuals are prone to negative thoughts such as anxiety, anger, envy, guilt, and so on. Such individuals are often in a state of depression and do not how to enjoy life. They always look at the negative sides of life and find it extremely difficult to cope up with stress.

Why Is Personality So Important?

It is our personality that makes us who we are, but how exactly do our personalities form? Personality development has been a major topic of interest for some of the most prominent thinkers in psychology. Since the inception of psychology as a separate science, researchers have proposed a variety of ideas to explain how and why personality develops.

Personality development refers to how the organized patterns of behavior that make up each person\'s unique personality emerge over time. Many factors go into influencing personality, including genetics, environment, parenting, and societal variables. Perhaps most importantly, it is the ongoing interaction of all of these influences that continue to shape personality over time.

Key Theories of Personality Formation
Our personalities make us unique, but how does personality develop? How exactly do we become who we are today? What factors play the most important role in the formation of personality? Can personality ever change?

To answer this question, many prominent theorists developed theories to describe various steps and stages that occur on the road of personality development. The following theories focus on various aspects of personality development, including cognitive, social, and moral development.

Freuds Stages of Psychosexual Development
In addition to being one of the best-known thinkers in the area of personality development, Sigmund Freud remains one of the most controversial. In his well- known stage theory of psychosexual development, Freud suggested that personality develops in stages that are related to specific erogenous zones. Failure to complete these stages, he suggested, would lead to personality problems in adulthood.

Freuds Structural Model of Personality
Freud not only theorized about how personality developed over the course of childhood, but he also developed a framework for how overall personality is structured. According to Freud, the basic driving force of personality and behavior is known as the libido. This libidinal energy fuels the three components that makeup personality: the id, the ego, and the superego.

The id is the aspect of personality present at birth. It is the most primal part of the personality and drives people to fulfill their most basic needs and urges. The ego is the aspect of personality charged with controlling the urges of the id and forcing it to behave in realistic ways. The superego is the final aspect of personality to develop and contains all of the ideals, morals, and values imbued by our parents and culture. This part of personality attempts to make the ego behave according to these ideals. The ego must then moderate between the primal needs of the id, the idealistic standards of the superego, and reality.

Freud\'s concept of the id, ego, and superego has gained prominence in popular culture, despite a lack of support and considerable skepticism from many researchers. According to Freud, it is the three elements of personality that work together to create complex human behaviors.

Eriksons Stages of Psychosocial Development
Erik Eriksons eight-stage theory of human development is one of the best-known theories in psychology. While the theory builds on Freuds stages of psychosexual development, Erikson chose to focus on how social relationships impact personality development. The theory also extends beyond childhood to look at development across the entire lifespan.

At each stage of psychosocial development, people face a crisis in which a task must be mastered. Those who complete each stage emerge with a sense of mastery and well-being. Those who do not resolve the crisis at each stage may struggle with those skills for the remainder of their lives.

Piagets Stages of Cognitive Development
Jean Piagets theory of cognitive development remains one of the most frequently cited in psychology, despite being subject to considerable criticism. While manyaspects of his theory have not stood the test of time, the central idea remains important today: children think differently than adults.

According to Piaget, children progress through a series of four stages that are marked by distinctive changes in how they think. How children think about themselves, others, and the world around them plays an important role in the formation of personality.


Kohlbergs Stages of Moral Development
Lawrence Kohlberg developed a theory of personality development that focused on the growth of moral thought. Building on a two-stage process proposed by Piaget, Kohlberg expanded the theory to include six different stags. While the theory has been criticized for many different reasons, including the possibility that it does not accommodate different genders and cultures equally, Kohlbergs theory remains important in our understanding of how personality develops.


A Word From Verywell
Personality involves not only inborn traits but also the cognitive and behavioral patterns that influence how people think and act. Temperament is a key part of the personality that is determined by inherited traits. It is the aspects of personality that are innate and have a lasting influence on behavior.

Character is another aspect of personality influenced by experience that continues to grow and change throughout life. While personality continues to evolve and respond to the influences and experiences of life, much of personality is determined by inborn traits and early childhood experiences.

Personality and Personality Development - An Overview Every individual has his characteristic way of behaving, responding to emotions, perceiving things, and looking at the world. No two individuals are similar.

You might like going out for parties but your friend might prefer staying back at home reading his/her favorite book. It is really not necessary that if you like partying around, your friend will also like the same. Here comes the role of personality. What an individual sees in his childhood days and most importantly his/her growing days from his personality. How an individual has raised plays an important role in shaping his/her personality.

Personality is nothing but the aggregate conglomeration of memories and incidents in an individuals entire life span. Environmental factors, family background, financial conditions, genetic factors, situations, and circumstances also contribute to an individuals personality.

In a laymans language, how we behave in our day to day lives reflects our personality. How an individual behaves depends on his family background, upbringing, social status, and so on. An individual with a troubled childhood would not open up easily. He/she would always hesitate to open his heart in front of others. Some kind of fear would always be there within him. An individual who never had any major problems in life would be an extrovert and would never have issues interacting and socializing with others. You really cant blame an individual for not being an extrovert. It is essential to check his/her background or past life. It is quite possible that as a child, he was not allowed to go out of his home, play, and freak out with friends. These individuals start believing that their home is their only world and they are not safe outside. Such a mindset soon becomes their personality. Personality also influences what we think, our beliefs, values, and expectations.

What we think about others depends on our personality.
In a laymans language personality is defined as the personal qualities and characteristics of an individual. Personality is how we interact with others. Personality is a sum of characteristics of an individual which makes him different from the others. It is our personality which makes us unique and helps us stand apart from the crowd.

Determinants of Personality
Following are the factors which help in shaping ones personality:

Heredity - Heredity refers to factors that are determined once an individual is born. An individuals physique, attractiveness, body type, complexion, body weight depend on his/her parent\'s biological makeup.

Environment - The environment to which an individual is subjected during his growing years plays an important role in determining his/her personality. The varied cultures in which we are brought up and our family backgrounds have a crucial role in shaping our personalities.

Situation - An individuals personality also changes with current circumstances and situations. An individual would behave in a different way when he has enough savings with him and his behavior would automatically change when he is bankrupt. An individuals appearance, character, intelligence, attractiveness, efficiency, style determine his/her personality