At DisruptHR Orlando, Joyntly co-founder Dr. Sam Paustian-Underdahl shared a simple but important question: Can personality change?
For many of us, personality can feel fixed. We often describe ourselves as “just not a people person,” “not naturally organized,” or “not great with conflict.” And organizations have long used personality assessments primarily to screen, place, and identify leadership potential.
But research points to a more hopeful—and more useful—answer: people can change the ways they tend to think, feel, and behave, especially when they are motivated and supported through consistent practice.
In her talk, Sam shared both her own experience and research on intentional personality change. Studies show that people who choose an area for growth, practice small behaviors consistently, and reflect on their progress can gradually build new behavioral patterns. Digital interventions have shown similar results, helping people sustain positive changes over time.
That research has meaningful implications for leadership development.
At Joyntly, we apply this research by helping leaders focus on the specific behaviors that will make the greatest difference for them. Our leadership assessment identifies individualized strengths and growth opportunities, and weekly personalized nudges prompt learners to choose, practice, and reflect on targeted actions over time.
The goal is for leaders to build the habits and behavioral flexibility that allow them to lead more effectively. When people have a meaningful goal, a clear behavior to practice, and ongoing support, growth is possible.
Watch Sam’s DisruptHR Orlando talk → https://vimeo.com/1233467342
To learn more about Joyntly’s approach to personalized leadership development, visit https://joyntly.com/.
tags: leadership development / learning & development / news / science
