Work and Personality Change: What We Do Makes Who We Are

Yes, your job can change your personality. Work and vocational experiences, such as employment conditions, career roles, job characteristics, and training, can influence personality development. Wang and Wu offer a conceptual overview of how personality can be changed at work by societal, organizational, and job-related factors, and how individuals can actively engage in changing their personality.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 04 February 2021
Publisher: Bristol University Press

While traditionally, personality has been perceived as fixed and stable, recent perspectives suggest that this notion may not hold true. Personality can undergo significant transformation through various work and vocational experiences, including employment conditions, career roles, job characteristics, and training or interventions. Drawing upon a diverse range of research in the field, Wang and Wu offer a comprehensive conceptual overview on how personality can be altered at work, considering the influence of societal, organizational, and job-related factors. Moreover, they explore how individuals can actively engage in shaping their personality within the workplace.

The impact of work on personality is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. On the one hand, work can provide individuals with opportunities for growth, development, and self-discovery, leading to changes in their personality. For example, exposure to new challenges, responsibilities, and environments can prompt individuals to adapt, learn, and grow, resulting in increased self-confidence, resilience, and flexibility. On the other hand, work can also have a negative impact on personality, particularly if it involves stressful or demanding conditions, long hours, or negative social interactions. High levels of job stress, for instance, can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and burnout, which can negatively affect an individual's mood, behavior, and overall well-being.

Societal factors, such as cultural norms, social expectations, and societal pressures, also play a significant role in shaping personality at work. Different cultures and societies have different values, beliefs, and attitudes towards work, which can influence how individuals perceive their roles, responsibilities, and relationships with colleagues. For example, some cultures prioritize teamwork, collaboration, and hierarchy, while others emphasize individualism, independence, and personal achievement. These cultural differences can impact an individual's personality, leading to differences in communication styles, work-life balance, and job satisfaction.

Organizational factors, such as organizational culture, leadership style, and job design, also have a profound impact on personality at work. A positive and supportive organizational culture can foster a sense of belonging, motivation, and job satisfaction, while a negative or toxic organizational culture can lead to decreased morale, stress, and turnover. Effective leadership can inspire and motivate employees, leading to increased job engagement and performance, while poor leadership can create a sense of disillusionment and disengagement. Job design, which involves the arrangement of tasks, responsibilities, and resources, can also impact personality at work. Jobs that provide autonomy, flexibility, and opportunities for growth and development can lead to increased job satisfaction and motivation, while jobs that are repetitive, monotonous, or poorly designed can lead to decreased job satisfaction and burnout.

In addition to these external factors, individual characteristics, such as personality traits, values, and beliefs, also play a role in shaping personality at work. Individuals with certain personality traits, such as extroversion, conscientiousness, and openness to experience, may be more likely to thrive in certain work environments, while individuals with different personality traits may be more suited to other work environments. For example, extroverted individuals may excel in sales and marketing roles, while introverted individuals may be more effective in research and analysis roles.

Given the complex interplay between work and personality, it is important for individuals to be aware of the factors that can influence their personality at work and to take steps to manage these factors effectively. This may involve seeking out work environments that align with their personality traits, developing effective communication skills, managing job stress, and seeking support and guidance from colleagues, supervisors, or mental health professionals. By taking an active approach to shaping their personality at work, individuals can increase their job satisfaction, productivity, and overall well-being.

In conclusion, while personality has traditionally been perceived as fixed and stable, recent thinking indicates that it is subject to change through various work and vocational experiences. Societal, organizational, and job-related factors, as well as individual characteristics, play a significant role in shaping personality at work. By being aware of these factors and taking steps to manage them effectively, individuals can increase their job satisfaction, productivity, and overall well-being. The impact of work on personality is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that requires careful consideration and management.

Dimension: 203 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529207552