Some may picture arrogant, demanding, and dominant people when discussing a strong personality.
However, such an image is not a fair representation of what a strong personality truly means. A strong person exudes ability and leadership, among other desirable traits. Such people can leave a positive, lasting impression and inspire others to act accordingly.
We all want to be seen, heard, respected, and valued; strong personalities seem to have this effortlessly.
While certain traits are inborn, developing a strong personality is possible with time and conscious effort. This article explains a strong personality and outlines tips for adopting one.
Related: How to Identify Your Personality—Top 5 Personality Assessments
What Do Strong Personalities Look Like?
When we describe a strong personality (not to be confused with a big personality), it has much to do with how others perceive your actions positively. It can also relate to your mental strength and resilience.
Think of someone you know with a strong personality; would you easily say no to them? These people stand out in the crowd. They're also emotionally intelligent, likable, accomplished, confident, inspiring, skilled, and have a balanced temperament.
A strong personality is not identical to success or a powerful position. These two may or may not have strong personalities at the same level. Still, a stronger personality will wield influence regardless of their position.
Why Would You Want to Be a Strong Person?
There are many more characteristics of someone with a powerful personality. The bottom line is fostering such traits is advantageous to one's personal and professional life.
Due to their persistence and reliability, strong personalities are respected in the workplace. They are more likely than most people to land greater opportunities, including pay raises and promotions.
Also, someone with a strong personality can quickly become popular as people love being around them. They are the type of friend everyone wants to have. These characteristics make building solid relationships, quality experiences, and social wealth easier.
With all the benefits a strong personality offers, we all want one!
How to Develop a Strong Personality
Several things shape our personalities, from genetics to life experiences and our environment. And now science agrees that developing, changing, or improving our personality is possible. Of course, it takes time and effort.
These tips will help you get started:
1. Be Authentic
The first step to being self-motivated and building a strong personality is to know who you are, accept your personality type, and then work on improving it.
Trying to be someone you're not to fit in only leads to feeling insecure and unhappy.
Let's say you're an introvert trying to be an extrovert; how long before you become exhausted and explode on the people around you? It takes a lot of energy and effort to keep up a façade when all you have to do is embrace your qualities.
Start by focusing on activities and hobbies that bring you joy. Others may develop their signature style in fashion, personal values, beliefs, mannerisms, etc.
Each of us is unique, and expressing that uniqueness sets you apart and makes you more interesting, memorable, and likable. Being authentic helps you overcome obstacles and develop a sense of security and confidence that others will admire.
2. Develop Effective Communication Skills
People with strong personalities usually have outstanding communication skills. They express their opinions, thoughts, and feelings clearly and with conviction. Not only do others resonate, but they also get moved by what they're saying.
Effective communication provides clarity and direction.
It also helps build trust, increase productivity, resolve conflict, and more. Your words, language, tone, and clarity affect effective communication.
You also want to work on your non-verbal cues. Do your body language, eye contact, facial expressions, posture, and gestures show engagement and confidence? Being an active listener is also essential. It shows that you value what the other person says and allows you to respond appropriately.
3. Understand Your Values
In line with staying true to yourself, you must also know your values.
What's most important to you? Do you value loyalty, honesty, good conversation, meaningful relationships, or kindness?
Powerful personalities are built by solid self-awareness and not following the crowd.
Also, asserting yourself is easier when you know what you want and won't be easily swayed easily.
4. Build Your Confidence
A strong personality is built on self-confidence and inner strength.
Self-confidence will help you speak up, stand up for yourself, and believe in your strengths and abilities.
Although some people are more self-assured than others, confidence is still something you can cultivate. Here are some tips:
- Take action and push yourself out of your comfort zone.
- Engage in positive self-talk and positive thinking to become more confident.
- Improve your knowledge and skills.
- Get things done to give you a sense of accomplishment.
- Stop comparing yourself to others and express your opinion confidently.
- Develop a strong sense of belief in yourself.
- Learn from your mistakes.
- Find role models to inspire you for what you can do and achieve.
5. Set Healthy Boundaries
Many want to be people-pleasers, doing extra work, showing up for their friends whenever needed, being yes-parents, and so on. Unfortunately, this can backfire when you let people walk all over you.
You can't expect people to treat you well when they don't know what that means to you.
Setting boundaries is how you show others you deserve the same self-care and appreciation as others.
When someone asks you to do something uncomfortable or causing stress, the power to refuse differentiates strong and weak personalities.
It can be scary to set boundaries in your personal and professional life, but that's when you lose control of the self-esteem you've built and your core values. And this will only cause people to lose respect and admiration for you.
6. Keep On Learning and Work on Self-Improvement
The more you seek knowledge, cultivate new skills and interests, and take care of your cognitive health, the more attractive and exciting you'll be to others.
You can expand your conversations and develop healthier relationships when you have more ideas and opinions to contribute. People will look up to you and want to be around you, meaning you have a chance and the ability to influence them.
More knowledge builds up your self-belief, credibility, and confidence. These traits are vital for developing a strong personality.
The best part is that sources of knowledge are endless in today's globalized and digitized world. You can read books, watch videos, join courses, listen to podcasts, and learn from others' experiences. BrainManager has an excellent article series on self-improvement that can guide you through the process of developing an enhanced version of yourself with ease.
7. Be Mindful Of Your Physical Body
Cultivating a strong personality means everything is easier when you're comfortable with your physical appearance. Such an aspiration doesn't mean conforming to unrealistic body norms.
Instead, you should show your body the attention and respect it deserves.
There are different aspects of being physically fit and healthy. Start by eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep. And to embody the doctrine of a healthy mind in a healthy body — avoid self-criticism.
8. Don't Be Afraid to Overcome Obstacles and Celebrate Success
Life is nothing if not a challenge. The world is filled with obstacles testing our ability and motivation.
For example, a freelance writer might find themself losing focus often, missing zest, or lacking inspiration. Dealing with such challenges could trigger stress, self-doubt, and procrastination.
Yet, this is where a strong person will rely on their capacity to inspire themselves in various ways and overcome signs of insecurity.
Importantly, when you manage to rise up to a challenge, make sure to celebrate your success. Reward your bravery and endurance with treats that match the effort you put into resolving a problem.
9. Accept Responsibility
Quick decisions are a part of life. So, it's no wonder we will sometimes make poor choices.
Don't be afraid to own up to mistakes when you realize you were wrong.
A mentally strong person will not sit and feel bad about their actions. They will take control and focus on ways to improve in the future.
Such a backbone in strong personalities makes them inspire others and often assume leadership positions.
10. Engage in Self-Discovery and Be Self-Aware
A well-developed sense of self is shared across all confident personality types.
After all, how could you be unshaken by external events if you are not fully conscious of the internal pillars that hold you in place?
Engaging in self-discovery could take many forms. Pick the ones you prefer and develop a practice of nurturing self-awareness in everything you do.
For example, meditation, mindfulness, or yoga could open doors to greater awareness of signs of stress or overwhelm. You could try journaling to explore your feelings and thoughts. Talking to your most trusted friends and family members is another way to embark on the journey to an objective self-image.
Don't forget to take care of your spiritual health, too.
11. Nurture a Constructive View of Hard Feelings
Positive feedback feels good to anyone. Still, in real life, we will sometimes get negative comments and develop resentment. Someone else's behavior could make us experience all sorts of adverse emotions.
On the other hand, our actions could hurt others, too.
So, how does being mentally strong translate into a constructive view of hard feelings?
For example, if you recognize signs of being treated unfairly (whether it is you or the other person), try to be as impartial as possible. Hear the other person. Listen to your needs. Analyze the problem as you would if it were someone else's. Don't be afraid of letting those emotions run their course.
Then, if you want to make sure the conflict stops, see how you can improve in the future. Use it as a guideline for self-development. This approach is how strong personality traits are expanded.
Take the First Step on the Road to Personality Development
Developing a strong personality can be a game changer in your personal and professional life.
But our final thoughts on people with strong personalities would not be complete if we didn't emphasize that mentally strong people continue to grow; it's part of their true character. You must note that the challenge of developing strong personality traits is a continuous process covering everything you do.
Also, a strong personality shows up in different ways. Not everyone needs to be vocal and outspoken to possess confident personality traits. You can have a strong personality by being quiet and reserved, too. Yes, introverts can be strong people, too!
What's important is to embrace your uniqueness, including all your strengths and weaknesses. Stand up for your authentic truth and own it with pride!
