What is a Character Trait? It's an Attribute to Define Your Core Values!

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." John Wooden

What is a character trait? One definition describes it as, "individual qualities or attributes that make up a person's character. These descriptions can be physical, emotional, mental, or moral."

As accountable citizens, qualities and attributes that make up our character are especially relevant. And since physical, emotional, mental, and moral cover the gamut of human qualities, a look at these character traits can guide our efforts in doing the right things for the right reasons.  Recognizing the important difference  between accountability and responsibility is an empowering discovery that you can read more about in this follow-up page.

What is a Character Trait?

Character traits are pressure sensitive. They present themselves when the going gets tough. It is a double-edged sword as the negative traits are most visible in challenging circumstances and when opportunities arise. Corrupt people will be corrupt when they are threatened or when they can profit from corruption. Dishonest people will lie when it fits their agenda.

On the flip side, courageous people will show their courage when it is most needed. People with kind hearts, even those who don't realize they have such a character trait, will be kind when it is most needed. And when clear thinking is required, people who have knowledge will show the way.

Character traits are the source of core values.  Core values are the action steps that support our core ideals.  You can use this page as the starting point to recognizing and acting upon the core values that will guide your life in a meaningful way. 

We won't list any negative character traits in the following block because being accountable citizens is a positive experience. Our editorial team has different personality types. In support of one of our people who is definitely a sanguine personality, we will give you a list of positive character traits in no particular order. Some of us would prefer this list to be alphabetized and have bullet points. But we're going free-spirited here. (We'll get to a more-organized list a little farther down the page.)

In our page about core values you will learn an easy exercise to recognize those specific values that inspire you to take positive action. Some of the following words might fit for you.

Determination   Trustworthiness
Fairness               Service
Happiness           Honesty
Wisdom               Influence
Peace                   Responsibility
Optimism'           Justice
Kindness             Meaningful Work
Leadership         Loyalty
Courage              Compassion
Creative              Humble
Patient                Disciplined
Flexible               Curious

In the next block we have an image with an orderly list for the melancholy personalities among us. Note how they are divided into subsections of integrity, selflessness, and responsibility, all three of which are in and of themselves definitive character traits. Answering the question, "What is a character trait?" is an important launching point and a target for becoming accountable citizens.

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