Defining personal character traits

Out of the various character traits that I possess, some of my prominent strengths are being flexible and easygoing. When I joined school, I got to interact with people of different cultures and social backgrounds. Even though the people had different origins and different ways of understanding and doing things, I was able to enter this new environment, learn how to cope and get along well with my fellow students. A situation that best describes the nature of my flexibility was when we went on a field trip and I got to interact with other students at a more personal level. During the trip, we were divided in groups of four and had to write a report on what we observed and learnt during the trip. Coincidentally, all the members in my team had different cultural backgrounds and so they had different beliefs. During group discussions, the members had different opinions about the events that occurred on that day. I was however to adapt to their way of thinking and we were able to present ideal findings from the trip.

            Another trait that I possess is being easy going and this was demonstrated in the group fieldtrip assignment. Despite being assigned to a group of people with different cultural backgrounds, I found myself intrigued and eager to know their culture. As we interacted, we got along well even when some tended to work slow or hold different views than mine. Rather than getting offended by the matters like other members being indecisive, I took it as an opportunity to better explain things so that they saw them in my perspective.

            In relation to abilities, my most prominent traits would be being caring and energetic. An example of a scenario where these abilities were best demonstrated was when dealing with the three members assigned to my school field trip group. After going for the trip and going back to school, we were expected to compile a report on what we learnt and present it in three days for evaluation. Each member in my team was assigned a task to ensure that everyone participated and contributed to the final result. However, one of the members fell ill one day after the trip and could not complete the task assigned to her. Having gone the ailment she was suffering from, I felt sympathetic for her and decided to do her task for her. I would also go visit her to see how she was doing and felt like it was my responsibility to take care of her. My second ability came into play when dealing with the other members of my team. Since the duties were allocated equally to all members, some were not as willing to do any extra duties so as to make up for the part that the sick member was unable to do. However, I was able to encourage them to share some of the duties and be enthusiastic about it. Other than taking most of the duties assigned to the sick members, I also took on the task of encouraging the rest of the members at a more personal level. Through determination and hard work, the three of us were able to complete all the tasks that were required for the assignment.

            Out of all the positive traits that I possess, there are some that traits that I find challenging and they include being assertive and firm. When the groups were divided for the fieldtrip, the members in my team assigned me to be the group leader since they found it easy to get along with me. However, my easy going nature made it difficult to be assertive and make a stand on issues. When other members became difficult to handle, I found it hard to make a stand and often kept changing my mind on issues. When it came to assigning duties, most complained that they could not clearly understand their roles and we had to hold discussions so that they knew what was expected of them. I also had a challenge when it came to giving feedback on time for meeting up and discuss the progress of the report. Being firm also proved challenging and instead of telling members what was expected of them, I ended up asking their opinion on what role they wanted to play. I also may have intruded into the sick member’s personal space especially when I kept going to her place to check up on her and catch her up on how the group was progressing.

            The goal for trait development in my strengths would be to note that I am easy going and flexible and ensure that people do not take advantage of me. Being easygoing, people may decide to be friendly so as to get me to do favors for them since I am flexible. Even though I may be capable of doing what they want, knowing when to say no will help prevent me from taking up more than I can handle. Even though being caring and energetic has its positive, keeping my abilities in check will ensure that I relate well with other people. The goal is to be caring without becoming too emotionally attached and intrude into their personal space.  As for the challenges, the goal to trait development will involve focusing on how to be more assertive and make a stand when airing my opinions. Instead of asking what people want, I should tell them what is expected of them for the success of the project we are undertaking and what role they play in its success.