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The Big Five Personality Dimensions

Each individual’s collection of personality traits is different; it is what makes us unique. But, although each collection of
traits varies, we all share many common traits. The following phrases describe various traits and behaviors. Rate how
accurately each statement describes you, based on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being very inaccurate and 5 very accurate.
Describe yourself as you are now, not as you wish to be. There are no right or wrong answers.
1 2 3 4 5
Very Inaccurate Very Accurate
Extraversion Neuroticism (Low Emotional Stability)
I am usually the life of the party. 1 2 3 4 5 I often feel critical of myself. 1 2 3 4 5
I feel comfortable around people. 1 2 3 4 5 I often envy others. 1 2 3 4 5
I am talkative. 1 2 3 4 5 I am temperamental. 1 2 3 4 5

Agreeableness Openness to New Experiences
I am kind and sympathetic. 1 2 3 4 5 I am imaginative. 1 2 3 4 5
I have a good word for everyone. 1 2 3 4 5 I prefer to vote for liberal
I never insult people. 1 2 3 4 5 political candidates. 1 2 3 4 5
I really like art. 1 2 3 4 5
Conscientiousness
I am systematic and efficient. 1 2 3 4 5
I pay attention to details. 1 2 3 4 5
I am always prepared for class. 1 2 3 4 5

Which are your most prominent traits? For fun and discussion, compare your responses with those of classmates.
Source: These questions were adapted from a variety of sources.

Agreeableness refers to the degree to which a person is able to get along with Agreeableness
Agreeableness
the degree to which a person is
others by being good-natured, cooperative, forgiving, compassionate, understand- the degree to which a person is
able to get along with others by
ing, and trusting. A leader who scores high on agreeableness seems warm and ap- able to get along with others by
being good-natured, cooperative,
being good-natured, cooperative,
proachable, whereas one who is low on this dimension may seem cold, distant, forgiving, compassionate,
forgiving, compassionate,
understanding, and trusting
and insensitive. People high on agreeableness tend to make friends easily and understanding, and trusting
often have a large number of friends, whereas those low on agreeableness gener-
ally establish fewer close relationships.
Traits of agreeableness seem to be particularly important for leaders in today’s
collaborative organizations. The days are over when a hard-driving manager can
run roughshod over others to earn a promotion. Today’s successful leaders are
not the tough guys of the past but those men and women who know how to
get people to like and trust them. One recent book even argues that the secret
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to success in work and in life is likability. We all know we’re more willing to
do something for someone we like than for someone we don’t, whether it be
a teammate, a neighbor, a professor, or a supervisor. Leaders can increase their
likeability by developing characteristics of agreeableness, including being friendly
and cooperative, understanding other people in a genuine way, and striving to

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