8 Good Character Traits You Can Use At Work

Employers want people who can contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment. There are many traits you can use to show that your character matches the traits employers seek. Knowing about these positive traits and which ones you might build on can help you effectively demonstrate your personality at work. In this article, we explore what it means to have good character, why it’s important, a list of eight good character traits, and how you might apply them in a professional setting.

What does it mean to have good character?

When a person has good character, it means they have positive traits that they use to help them and those around them succeed. In professional settings, people with good character may contribute to the overall workplace environment by being a positive presence. Everyone has a unique combination of character traits that they can apply differently. A person with good character may work to improve their positive traits and develop new ones when necessary.

Why is it important to have good character at work?

Professionals who have good character create an encouraging workplace atmosphere. When employees conduct themselves professionally and help each other, they can build trust in the organization and inspire others to be more positive as well. This may also help an organization retain employees. Here are some additional benefits of having good character at work:

• Achieve goals: When employees maintain a positive attitude and apply their good traits to work responsibilities, they may more effectively achieve professional goals.

• Advanced career: Professionals who use their character traits to complete their work and help others may impress their superiors and earn promotions.

• Build a network: If an employee impresses their coworkers, superiors, and clients, they might build a strong community of professional connections.

• Increase job satisfaction: Because displaying good character at work can encourage success and happier workplace relationships, professionals may gain more fulfillment from their work.

8 good character traits

The traits that define good character may vary by workplace and personality. Professionals may also identify areas for growth and develop other skills to add to the ones they already have. Here are some good traits and the ways they apply to a professional setting:

1. Respectfulness

A respectful person understands, appreciates, and treats other people well. Professionals who are respectful pay attention to their peers and act accordingly. For example, if they notice that a coworker does a great job on a project, they might personally acknowledge their accomplishment to make them feel valued. If someone wants to practice being more respectful, they might start by actively listening when others talk and thoughtfully taking what they say into consideration.

2. Honesty

Someone honest communicates genuinely and tells the truth. In a professional setting, honest people may earn the confidence of their coworkers and superiors. Organizations that have honest employees may also benefit from improved client relations. For example, if a philanthropist is honest with a donor about the risk of their investment, that donor might have faith that the organization cares about their interests. To build this trait, professionals might practice being more straightforward in daily communications.

3. Integrity

If a person has integrity, their professional connections might have confidence in them to uphold their moral principles. For example, if a person has integrity and one of their morals is to keep promises, they put considerable effort into making sure they keep every promise they make. This might make their coworkers trust them because they are consistent. Professionals who want to improve on this trait may choose a principle and make a personal goal to uphold it in their work.

4. Accountability

An accountable person holds themselves responsible for their words, actions, and outcomes. This is useful in a professional setting where productivity often depends on everyone completing their duties. For example, an accountable professional may recognize that they could meet deadlines earlier to help improve production speed and then adapt their practices to be more punctual. Professionals who want to build accountability may start by asking others for constructive feedback.

5. Thoughtfulness

A thoughtful person considers others’ needs and makes efforts to help. Thoughtful professionals may look for opportunities to help their coworkers succeed. For example, if an employee knows that their coworker wasn’t present for a recent training, they might make time to help that person catch up on new procedures. Someone who wants to practice thoughtfulness more at work might directly ask their peers and superiors if there’s anything they could do to help more.

6. Ambitiousness

Ambitious people seek opportunities to succeed and take on exciting challenges. This trait is especially suited to professional settings where people can pursue special projects and promotions. In addition to personal achievements, an ambitious person may look for chances to pursue shared goals and improve the organization where they work. If a professional wants to develop this trait, they may create a list of bold goals for personal or shared improvements and achievements.

7. Flexibility

Because every industry has its own set of unpredictable outcomes, it’s important to adapt to change. Flexible professionals can modify their approach, expectations, and behavior to best fit a new situation. For example, a nurse may need to use different styles of communication for patients with different temperaments. Professionals who want to be more flexible may start by taking on new responsibilities to practice adapting their skills in unfamiliar circumstances.

8. Responsibility

A responsible person reliably completes their work in a timely and self-guided manner. Professionals who are responsible motivate themselves to set deadlines, follow procedures, and finish tasks. Though self-proficiency is an important part of responsibility, a responsible professional also knows to ask for help when it’s appropriate. For example, they might double-check with a superior to make sure they’re meeting the standards on a project with unique criteria. A professional who wants to become more responsible may ask a superior if there are additional duties they can take.

I hope you find this article helpful.