Which of the following resonates more with you: Would you say that you live to work? Or, that you work to live?
Here's another question: What does "good" work look like to you? Is it structured and organized, like following a recipe when cooking a meal? Or do you prefer to trust your gut and go with your instinct?
The way you answer these questions reflects much about your personality. Conscientiousness is one of the "big five" traits in the five-factor model of personality, a widely accepted personality theory.
What is conscientiousness? Why is knowing how conscientious you are important? And what does this personality trait look like in the real world? The answer to those questions will help you to know yourself better and build your emotional intelligence, so you can better understand your emotions and leverage them for good.
What is conscientiousness?
In simple terms, conscientiousness is a personality trait that reflects the tendency to be responsible, organized, and hard-working.
More conscientious people are typically determined and can control their impulses. In other words, they're able to delay gratification--what feels good--to pursue and achieve their goals. They also stick closely to rules and take seriously commitments they've made to others.
In contrast, those who have low conscientiousness are more spontaneous and flexible. They too may be good workers, but they prioritize finding joy in their work and having a good time. Chaotic, messy environments don't bother them, but they dislike rigid structure.
As with other traits, being high or low score Conscientiousness isn't "good" or "bad." Both ends of the spectrum come with inherent strengths and weaknesses.
Why is conscientiousness important?
Understanding the conscientiousness trait can help you better see yourself the way others see you.
For example, do people enthusiastically endorse you as someone who is reliable and trustworthy? Or, are they reluctant to recommend you for work, even if they consider you a friend?
As you learn more about conscientiousness, you'll start to identify which tendencies are holding you back from greater success.
What does conscientiousness look like?
If you have a high level of conscientiousness, you likely value system and order. Following plans, directions, and organizational systems ensures things get followed through to completion and you achieve results. You appreciate when others are structured, too.
Your ability to exercise self-control and delay gratification helps you achieve your goals. If you set your mind to something, you're going to do it. Additionally, your strong sense of duty makes you reliable.
At the same time, though, many people may find it difficult to work with you.
Your commitment to getting things done may make you inflexible, unreasonable, or overly serious. Your attention to detail may make you a perfectionist. What's more, your obligation to deliver on what you've promised--even as circumstances change--can turn you into a workaholic, even putting you on a path to burnout.
What if you have a low level of conscientiousness?
You appreciate a more flexible, open style of working. After all, if there's work to do, why not make it enjoyable? Rather than follow a rulebook or detailed set of instructions, you prefer to figure things out as you go.
Whereas more conscientious people can achieve success through their compliance and follow-through to systems, you can succeed because of your flexibility. You're more creative and open to new methods. Others may appreciate your reasonableness. When things go wrong, you may be easily able to change direction. Further, since you place a priority on fun and a good time, others are likely to enjoy working with you.
But at the same time, you may struggle with achieving your goals or finishing important tasks and projects. You may procrastinate or prioritize the wrong things. If others see you as unreliable, you may get passed over for raises, promotions, or projects.
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