(... and Vice Versa)

A wise friend of mine once said, "Our best traits are right next to our worst traits." Every passing day I realize how true that is. Like the two ends of a magnet, each aspect of our personality can have either positive or negative effects on our own lives and those whose lives we touch. We will attract or repel opportunities and relationships depending upon how we apply our character traits. Understanding how to "flip the magnet" to maximize the positive aspects can make a crucial difference in the level of success we create in our personal and professional lives.

For those who have been following my article series on Personal Branding, I'll address how you might use this concept in that context first. The core of your personal brand is the combination of constant traits you present in your life. Perhaps you are creative, or dependable, or practical, but what if you are known for being hot-tempered as well? That isn't exactly part of your sales pitch. The key is to look at what positive trait lies within that. Perhaps another way to look at it is that you are passionate about what you believe in. This can be a very positive trait when applied to a worthy endeavor, and have very natural applications in personal and professional arenas such as politics, fund-raising, and public speaking.

In order to create and maintain the positive perspective on traits like this, however, it is imperative that we constantly strive to make good choices in our actions. Being aware of both the potential negative and positive aspects of our strong traits can help us to make conscious choices for our behavior.

This leads to another application for this concept, and that is Mercy and Forgiveness. If we truly view most traits as having both positive and negative potential, it allows us to see the positive potential in the actions of others that we do not agree with. Perhaps someone you know seems arrogant or boastful. More than likely, their boastfulness comes from a need to be validated due to insecurity. Having empathy and giving them the accolades they desire might be just what they need to overcome their underlying insecurity. There are always two sides to a situation.

Another application is to foster our own Humility. Sometimes it is hard to see our own faults. Again if we use this principle, we can probably find our faults not far from our talents. Let's say you are a masterful organizer. Everything has a place and everything is in its place. On the flip-side, you might be a bit compulsive or controlling to those you live with. As in the earlier example, being aware of the potential for this counter-response to your talent for organization is half the solution. The application of compassion and cooperation is the other half.

And finally, truly embracing this concept can encourage those around you to perform to their own positive potential. When you look for and notice the potential within a currently challenging trait, you open up new perspectives of acceptance and accomplishment. As a manager you can empower employees. As a parent you can foster self-esteem and confidence. As a fellow human being you can promote peace.

With all of these applications, can you afford not to try to see both sides?

This is the fourth article in a series on the concepts of Personal Branding.

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© Andrea O'Neill, 2002