Page 18 - PA_Enterprise_October-November-2021

PA Enterprise
Conscientiousness:
signs you have the Big 5 personality trait
According to the highly regarded Big 5 personality test, an individual’s
personality is defined by five traits, one of which is conscientiousness. People
who display conscientious qualities are typically hard workers and make
good team players, which makes them highly sought after in the workplace.
In this article, we explore the characteristics of
a conscientious person, explain how you can
develop this marketable quality and look at some
jobs that typically require high conscientiousness.
What is conscientiousness?
Conscientiousness is essentially a form of
awareness. Conscientious individuals are
typically well organised, plan their time carefully
and demonstrate self-control. They’re also highly
efficient, ensuring that each moment of their
time is put to the best possible use. Some people
have a natural tendency to be conscientious, but
with practice and patience, anyone can develop
many of the characteristics associated with
conscientious people.
What are the benefits of conscientiousness?
There are many benefits to being
conscientious, including:
 Ambitious goal setting: If you are a
conscientious person, you usually have a strong
desire to complete objectives, no matter how
big or small.
 Improved accuracy and comprehensiveness
in work: Conscientious people are extremely
detail-oriented. They rarely make mistakes or
overlook important information.
 Increased likelihood for advancement: These
individuals are more likely to be trusted with
important tasks, which may lead to raises and
promotions.
18 October/November 2021
 Healthy habits: If a person is conscientious,
they are more likely to pay attention to what
they eat, when they exercise and how much
sleep they get. Being healthy can increase your
alertness, mental ability and productivity, which
can positively impact an individual’s work.
 Effective decision-making: Those who are
conscientious typically think through decisions
before they act. They consider all the potential
consequences of their actions and safeguard
against any negative outcomes. This kind
of critical thinking is a highly desirable soft
skill among employers.
Characteristics of conscientious people
Conscientious people may demonstrate the
following characteristics:
 Commitment: Those who are conscientious
make a plan and stick to it. They may even
find it fulfilling to work through a to-do list.
Commitment includes showing up early and
possibly leaving late in order to get everything
finished on time.
 Efficiency: Conscientious people strive to avoid
waste of both time and resources. They do so by
trying to find the most elegant solution to any
issue.
 Emotional intelligence: Conscientious people
demonstrate awareness of their teams’ and
customers’ reactions during conversations
and encounters. With high conscientiousness,
Continued u
PA Enterprise is published by