Personality is often viewed through the lens of the Big Five traits of Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN). Understanding these traits can help us better know ourselves and others. Let’s start with Openness
What is Openness?
Openness is a generalized way of expressing how receptive you are to new experiences. I can be further categorized to provide some additional clarity and perspective. If you are an entrepreneur, philosopher or artist then you likely have high levels of trait openness in your personality. If you have lower openness you are likely to seek out stable environments with more structure.
Additional factors in Openness can include:
- Imagination – Your ability to fantasize or think creatively
- Aesthetic Sensitivity – Your appreciation for art, design, and beauty
- Emotionality – Your awareness of internal feelings
- Adventurousness – Your willingness to try new things or have novel experiences
- Intellect – Your interest in exploring complex or abstract ideas
- Liberalism – Your willingness to re-examine or challenge traditional values or ideals
A Deeper Look
If someone is high in openness they are likely to be curious and imaginative. They will have an appreciation for art, music, creative writing and stories. It is likely that they enjoy being exposed to new ideas, philosophes, and cultures. They are likely more open to beliefs that are unconventional by the standards of their society. You are also likely to find them ready to engage in intellectual discussions about abstract ideas… like the meaning of life, the universe, and everything.
When someone is lower in openness the will have a tendency to prefer routine and the familiar over something that is novel. They might come across as “down to earth” and practical. They will prioritize and value traditions from their culture and society and be less willing to change or explore new ideas.
The Good and The Bad
Depending on your own personality you may be thinking one end of the spectrum of openness is better than the other. That might be what works for you, but it’s important to consider that we need all types of people around for our families and teams to function well and for us to live the life we want to live. Also, your high openness might actually be getting in the way, and you low openness might be keeping you from doing the things that would help you the most.
If you have high openness you may be creative and innovative but you are probably also easily distracted. You likely are curious and have a desire to explore which is a source of new ideas and novel experiences but can result in wanderlust and being dissatisfied with where and who you are. While you are emotionally aware there may also be a tendency to be emotionally volatile if you don’t have refined emotion regulation skills. The tendency to intellectualize and explore abstract ideas can result in valuable and unique learning opportunities but can come with a tendency to be overly idealistic resulting in unrealistic perspectives that avoid practical considerations.
People with low openness will thrive in a structured environment and may be the most reliable people in your life, but they may be dysregulated or irritable when rules, standards, and expectations are not met or followed. Part of their stability will stem from their lack of emotional expression but this may look like skillful regulation when in fact it is low emotional awareness or masking. Low openness also results in risk aversion or “playing it safe” which can keep us all out of trouble but may also prevent us from learning through novel experiences.
So what?
Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of openness there are risks and rewards. Taking the time to understand yourself a little bit more might just give you the insight you need to adjust or change something in the way you navigate the world so you can live the life you want to live.
Thanks For Reading
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