We learn a lot from those that go before us in life and business – especially in terms of habits, actions and traits that lead to success. It’s also in our nature to seek out these role models, critique their journeys and stories in order to use that knowledge to improve our own circumstances.
But what if the way we’re hard-wired dictates how well we do as entrepreneurs? Does your personality affect your business success?
Yes – Your personality affects your success
Hamira Riaz is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society believes that “extremely successful people have an extreme psychological make-up. Their backgrounds are unique and their stories unusual. They perceive the world fundamentally different”. She argues that those with challenging life experiences between the ages of 6 and 12 are more likely to have a personality that lends them to success in later life as they have developed keen coping strategies for unfamiliar experiences.
Personality test website 16personalities.com also suggests that there are some types of people for whom success and achieving goals is more enticing. They suggest that two key traits underpin all others when it comes to personality and that is whether you’re assertive or turbulent in your identity.
Assertive types “do not push themselves too hard when it comes to achieving goals” whereas Turbulent types tend to be “to be success-driven, perfectionistic and eager to improve”. And whilst the website suggests there are 16 main personality types based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) personality system, that it is these two personality types that indicate success.
