#1 – When Personality Shows Up at Work

When I first looked over my Five Factor results, I wasn’t surprised. If I’m being real, I’ve always had a clear sense of who I am. What this assessment gave me was language to describe how my personality influences how I lead, show up, and make decisions every day at work.

This photo? That’s me, pink bag in the passenger seat, clipboard packed, heading to work like I always do—prepared and on purpose.

Let’s start with what helps.

I scored high on Drive and Self-Discipline, which tracks. I’m ambitious and internally motivated. Once I commit to something, I follow through. People know they can count on me to deliver. My Planner and Driver roles reinforce this. I like structure, I stay focused on goals, and I don’t shy away from taking the lead when it matters.

I also lean toward a low Negative Emotionality profile, which means I stay calm under pressure. That’s been a major asset in audit work where deadlines shift, expectations evolve, and people can get defensive. I don’t absorb that tension. Instead, I stay level-headed, focused, and practical.

I’m also naturally a Challenger, which can be both helpful and misunderstood. I’m not afraid to push back or challenge norms, especially when something doesn’t reflect reality. One moment that stands out was an interaction with a past manager who told me that because I came into the office later than others, it created the “perception” that I was lazy. We both knew that wasn’t true, but he was hung up on appearances. I’ve never been one to conform just to satisfy optics. If the work is getting done, done well, and on time, why should it matter when or where it’s done? That mindset has helped me lead with integrity, but it’s also rubbed some people the wrong way.

And that’s the flip side.

My comfort with directness and challenging perspectives can be misread. The assessment flagged that too. Words like “guarded,” “competitive,” and “skeptical” showed up in my Accommodation score. I’m aware that when I’m in environments where consensus or harmony is prioritized over truth and logic, I might be labeled as too blunt or combative. But I’ve learned to read the room, soften where needed, and adjust my delivery without changing the core of what I believe.

I’ve learned that leadership doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. Mine might come wrapped in pink, but the preparation and purpose are all there.

I’m not chasing perfection, but I am committed to showing up authentically, standing on what’s real (for me), and continuing to grow. That’s leadership to me.