Being aware of personality can help people navigate, the sometimes, confusing, difficult and mysterious world of relationships. There are so many dynamic interplay between people in a relationship. There is tremendous benefit to understanding how one’s own personality (thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviors) are being influenced by another’s personality. Relationships seem to work better when each person has a clear awareness of their personality and the effects personality has on their relationship. They each understand who they are in the relationship. This allows them to stay rooted in their identity, respect each other’s perspective and remain open to connection.
Unawareness can lead to an unhealthy relationship with someone. When a person lacks personality awareness, they can have a weakened sense of identity and be unconsciously controlled another person’s personality. This may result in an enmeshed relationships with no boundaries, no respect and no healthy connection. One person in the relationship is completely forgetting their own sense of self while the other person is completely dominating the relationship. A healthy relationship is usually fostered by a mutual respect and awareness of each other’s personality.
6 Ways To Increase Personality Awareness In Your Self and Relationships
Self-Awareness Tips
Spend time learning about yourself.
Be prepared for your relationships by knowing who you are. Develop a deep, rooted connection to your identity. This does not mean you are inflexible or unwilling to change in a relationship or for another person. However having a sense of identity will provide a stable grounding as you relate to others. Psychotherapy, counseling and coaching can be opportunities to learn more about your amazing identity.
Know your communication triggers.
As you get to know your personality, you will discover the potential relational triggers you have. These triggers are usually connected to people in your past. For example maybe you grew up in a family that did not argue much, but your partner did grow up in a family with a lot of loud and aggressive communication. Knowing about this trigger could help you communicate with your partner or friend to create a healthier communication style for the relationship.
Pay attention to the thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviors you are experiencing when you are relating to someone.
Ask yourself why you might be having a particular thought or feeling while you are talking with someone. Be curious about everything that stirs in you while you are with this person.
Others-Awareness Tips
Practice empathy.
Try your best to understand the other person’s thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviors. Empathy does not require you to agree with another person’s opinions, beliefs or perspective. Empathy just means you are working towards understanding the dynamics of their personality. We all have had different experiences that lead us to unique conclusions about the world. Empathy can help foster the acceptance and non-judgmental attitude need for a healthy relationship.
Listen well and ask questions.
Listening skills are so good for creating a healthy relationship. Listening allows us to develop real connection with someone. Listening to another person’s story will help us understand their personality. Asking questions keeps you listening, so ask a lot of questions.
Let people be where they are.
Don’t try to change people. It usually does not work. Establish your own healthy boundaries, then let others be where they are. Instead of trying to control and change people, spend that energy learning about their personality.
