12 Traits of A Strong Personality

I remember sitting with a classmate during a lecture. We were conversing about each other’s preferences. I remember them telling me, “you have a strong personality.”

At that moment, I stood still. I had no idea what having a strong personality entirely entailed.

Did it mean that I am transparent about my intentions? Or that I have strong opinions about my preferences? 

Then, I remember a conversation that I had with my little sister a few years ago. We were walking along the sidewalk to the park. During that time, I was in high school and I remember going through so much.

I told her that I regret my choice of high school. Then, she replied, “you may have had a better experience should you have chosen another high school. But in your current high school, you gained a lot of personality.” 

When I heard the phrase “gained a lot of personality,” I wondered what that meant. Was my personality more analytical and detailed compared to other personalities? Or did it mean that I endured difficult situations? 

Or more so, is it another way of saying that I have a strong personality?

In the end, personality, as defined by the Collins dictionary, entails your character or nature. There’s an additional definition—the dictionary outlined the meaning of “having a personality,” which they define as having a strong and lively character. Strong people have strong personalities.

Perhaps, saying that someone has personality and that someone has a strong personality may imply the same meaning. It’s about living based on your own morals and values, which reflect through your actions and behavior. It’s a good thing, but it may not awalys feel good.

The meaning can apply to anyone in any context. You may think that your professor has a strong personality as they consistently debate about what they’re passionate about during class. And you may say that your next-door roommate has a strong personality, as they are vocal about their dislikes and annoyances. 

But having a strong personality does not mean sharing your thoughts and feelings with others. It means having the inner strength to see what matters to you, having the courage to follow through with your beliefs, and having the resilience to persist. 

You’re not affected by what others say around you or other people’s opinions, and you try to make the best out of each scenario, no matter how terrible the outcome may be. So, if you resonate with one of these signs, you may have a strong personality

12 Traits of A Strong Personality

1. You are confident about your abilities 

Confidence is key in having a strong personality. You know what you’re about, and you know what you’re capable of. You are comfortable in your own skin.

You’ve done the critical thinking it takes to know yourself, you know your own point of view, and you have clear goals. Therefore, you know that you can get through any situation you face, as long as you act upon your own values. 

2. You are aware of nonsense and will point it out. 

Imagine conversing with someone, and then noticing the hypocrisies in the other person’s statement. When you’re not afraid to point out these missteps, you’re aware of the nonsense.

When you have a strong personality, you’ll have the mental strength to notice these patterns more. A lot of people may not appreciate your direct attitude in the moment, but in the long run you’ll be better off for speaking your mind. You set clear boundaries.

3. You have a small group of friends. 

Whenever others ask you if you prefer quality over quantity, you may say that you prefer quality more, especially in terms of friendships. You may have a small inner circle of friends whom you deeply trust and share your feelings with. You know who to trust, and you know that not everyone may have the best intentions. 

Although society prides quantity over quality in terms of friendships, you aren’t afraid to stick to a select few and build strong relationships. And you know the importance of having quality friendships, instead of shallow friendships. No unneccesary small talk for you!

4. You do not like attention 

Living in a social media-driven society, everyone wants to post the best pictures, obtain the best comments, and gain the most followers. But you know that attention shouldn’t be prioritized. So instead of seeking attention, you take the time to understand who you are, and what your values are. Instead of being accepted by everyone, you take the time to accept yourself. 

5. You stand up for yourself 

Whenever someone crosses your boundaries, you’re not afraid to say “No.” You know your limits and you value them greatly.

So, you’re not afraid to communicate and inform others if they are pushing you beyond what you expect. Whether it’s with family members, in your professional life, or among your personal life, you are your own biggest advocate.

6. You are adaptable in different environments 

Although you understand your own values well, you’re also not afraid to adapt to different environments or stressful situations. You’re always willing to observe what’s going on around you, and see how you can contribute your own skills with others. Your self-confidence and clear vision allows you to always find the best way forward for yourself and others.

7. You are honest. 

Since you are a person who acts with integrity, you are honest with your opinion as well. You’re not afraid to tell others the truth, regardless of how much it may offend or hurt the other person.

However, you’re also aware of your speech of delivery. So, you take steps to deliver your message and ensure that the person you’re delivering the message to is not as offended. You’re also honest with yourself about your own emotions.

8. You apologize for your mistakes, and learn from them. 

It’s difficult to admit defeat, but as a strong-minded person, you’re willing to admit your not-so-best moments. When you make a mistake, you refuse to cover it up. Instead, you take full responsibility and apologize for what happened. 

And after making the mistake, instead of brushing it off, you work to understand the entire situation. You ask yourself, what went wrong? And what could I have done better? You constantly strive for self-improvement, even when times are grim. 

9. You take initiative in your own life 

Let’s say you want to achieve a goal. But instead of loafing, you decide to work towards your goal. You come up with a long-term and short-term plan, and look for ways to implement the plan.

You’re resourceful and you’re willing to think big. You know that you only have control over your own actions.

10. You know the importance of consistency 

Although many of us put our full effort whenever we start a new project or hobby, how long does that usually last? Possibly only for the first few times or months. However, when you’re a person with a strong personality, you know the importance of consistency.

By being committed and sticking to your goals, you know that your efforts will translate into results. So, you try to aim for consistency throughout your goals as well. 

11. You are empathetic towards others

Even if you haven’t been through what the other person went through, you still take the time to understand others and you have the emotional intelligence to do it thoughtfully. You think about putting yourself in the other person’s shoes, and visualizing what they’re going through. Although it can be a daunting process at times, you’re willing to take the time to understand the person and their situation. 

12. You’re willing to grow 

You know that the person you are won’t be the same as the person you will be in the next few months or years. So, you take the opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and grow as a person. 

Now, having a strong personality type often means being able to deal with setbacks and look for ways for growth. But often, dealing with such challenges can be tough to think about. So, how is it possible to develop a strong personality?

The Process of Developing a Strong Personality

Perhaps, you may want to develop more of these traits in order for you to understand others better, and develop more self-awareness. Or maybe you’ve reflected on past experiences and want to make a change for your future.

The truth is, just like any other skill or character trait, you can definitely develop a stronger personality. Although it does take time and experience, you can begin the process immediately with a few steps.

Here are four great ways to become a person of strong character.

Step one: Forgiving yourself for your past mistakes and missteps

Although many say that our past mistakes are controlled by our decisions, there may have been other external factors which may have been unforeseeable. So these past mistakes are not always a reflection of you, as a person. Therefore, in order to begin the process, it’s best to let go of these past mistakes and misshapes. 

Sure, it’s easier said than done. But take a deep breath and acknowledge that sometimes, moving on is the only way to see where your true potential lies. 

Step two: Self-reflection 

In order to develop and understand your character, you can also begin to self-reflect. Ask yourself important questions such as: How has the current environment influenced who I am? What were my struggles when I was growing up? And how did I overcome my struggles, to achieve my goals despite the barriers I was facing?  

The more you ask yourself these questions, the more you can better understand yourself and your strengths. Then, you’ll begin to gain some confidence. 

Step three: Trying out new things 

Being curious is a trait of a strong personality. So, you can fuel your curiosity by trying out new things. Go to a new event, try out a new hobby, or enroll in a new course. You never know what you’ll learn unless you try. 

Step four: Act based on your values 

This may be the most difficult part of the process, as it definitely is hard to live by your own values, especially when society tells you to do otherwise. 

However, you can start the process with a few questions, such as; What do I really want? Or do I really want to do what society tells me to do? 

Then, whenever you are forced to make a decision in life, go with what your heart tells you. Since you know yourself best, you’ll know what’s best for you. So, go with what you know and what you think is the better option. 

Final Thoughts on Strong Personality Traits

A strong personality can be defined by many different meanings and scenarios. It can be defined by how much you’re willing to stand up for your values, or how much you’re willing to get out of your comfort zone. 

Although being strong is seen as something desirable for many people, the personality traits all come down to one core element: Your willingness to be individualistic and collaborative with the other people around you. 

After all, at the end of the day being strong is not only about knowing yourself best, but also about being kind and showing humility towards other people. 

However, being strong is also about being curious about the world and being adaptable to the environment. Regardless of the rising inflation costs and the ongoing global issues, those with powerful personalities continue to stay level headed and advocate for their own rights.

But to be strong, you’ll also need to face challenges. You’ll need to face failure. You’ll have to face headstrong individuals with who might voice a different opinion.

You’ll need to face defeat. These moments may not always be great. But after all of the hardships, you’ll realize that you persisted. And after all, persistence develops character, and personality, in a unique way.

About the Author

Candice is currently attending school for social service work. One of her passions is helping others through my writing. In her downtime, you’ll find her listening to music, watching random YouTube videos, and writing about career goals and resumes. She hopes to start freelancing for writing and obtain a leadership position in a public services sector.