Adrian Volenik
Have you ever met someone who seems to radiate positivity, seeing the silver lining in every cloud and consistently finding the good in everyone they encounter?
Their outlook on life not only benefits their own well-being but also uplifts those around them.
But what makes them so special?
Letโs discover the fascinating traits of people who always see the best in others and inspire us to adopt some of these qualities in our own interactions.
1) They have a positive mindset
It all starts with optimism and a positive outlook on life, right? I have struggled with this for a long time, but now Iโm trying to find the silver lining in everything and everyone.
I sometimes see this as a coping mechanism for dealing with all the bad things happening in the world.
Nevertheless, having a positive outlook is a must for believing in the inherent goodness of people and their potential to grow and change.
Itโs the be-all and end-all in people who always see the best in others.
2) Theyโre empathetic
Another personality trait thatโs high up in people who see the best in others is empathy. And I can tell you, this trait is in high demand.
Because of empathy, we can put ourselves in other peopleโs shoes and understand and connect with others on a deeper level.
Of course, this is the ingredient weโre missing the most in the world. People just donโt seem to care for others in society or the community.
I mean, most people donโt even know their neighbors and walk past them like they donโt exist.
One study found a steep decline in empathy among young people in America from 1979 to 2009. Americans are simply caring less for others and more about themselves.
The following characteristic is something most people also lack, but those that see the best in others donโt.
3) Theyโre humble
You guessed it, itโs humility. And oh boy, did social media do a number on this one.
We can all agree that humility is an important trait, no matter how much some people see it as a weakness. And I can agree that being humble doesnโt always help us.
Thatโs especially true for professional and office settings. As someone who doesnโt like to stick out too much and brag about my achievements, I was skipped on promotions and pay raises.
People who just go in and do their job well rarely get the appreciation they deserve. Iโd even say they can be invisible to higher-ups.
But what I could see in the people who always see the best in others is that they recognize they have their own flaws and areas for growth.
They donโt place themselves on a pedestal but instead aspire to connect with others as equals.
Having this next trait definitely helps with that.
4) They have a non-judgmental attitude and acceptance
They are willing to accept others as they are without trying to change them. They know everybody is inherently flawed.
Nowadays, people are incredibly quick to pass judgment and make the worst assumptions about others. This is happening to the point we now have a mainstream term for it – cancel culture.
How hard can it be to give people the benefit of the doubt and approach them with an open mind?
5) They lead by example
I dare to say that most people talk the talk but donโt walk the walk. They are proponents of the expression, do as I say, not as I do.โ
On the other side, the people who always see the best in others embody the qualities they see in others and serve as role models for positivity, compassion, and personal growth. Their actions inspire others to follow suit and see the best in those around them.
Iโd also say they generally have a strong sense of right and wrong, which guides their interactions with others.
From what Iโve seen, they also have a natural ability to inspire and motivate others.
But tell me, do you see yourself as a role model?
6) They see the untapped potential
I already touched on this a bit, but want to expand it further as itโs such an important trait.
I firmly believe that people who consistently see the best in others maintain true faith in the ability of individuals to change, learn, and achieve their goals.
They recognize that each person is on a unique journey of self-discovery and development (even if they donโt realize that).
By believing in the potential of others, individuals who consistently see the best in people create a positive ripple effect that extends far beyond their immediate interactions.
Seeing that someone believes in us can give us the push needed to do the right things.
7) They celebrate the growth of others
They also celebrate the progress and growth of others, no matter how small. They acknowledge and appreciate the efforts people make toward self-improvement and are quick to offer support and encouragement.
Hereโs a good example.
If a colleague is working on developing their presentation skills, someone who celebrates their progress might say, โYour last presentation showed significant improvement in your delivery and confidence.
I noticed how well you engaged the audience and used visuals to enhance your points. Keep refining those skills, and youโll continue to excel!โ
8) They regularly engage in self-reflection
Self-reflection is the process of introspection and examination of oneโs thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
It helps me recognize my own biases and prejudices and gain a deeper understanding of myself.
Likewise, the people that always see the best in others take time to reflect on their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to gain insights into their own patterns and tendencies.
It helps them find a balance between self-care and caring for others. I think this is a fundamental trait for teachers and educators.
Through self-reflection, they can gain valuable insights into their own teaching practices, biases, and areas for growth. Something many teachers are lacking today, unfortunately.
This next trait is also extremely important.
9) They have a sense of humor
A good and playful sense of humor is very important in almost all social settings. People that see the best in others use it as a tool to uplift and connect with them.
But also to break the ice and lower peopleโs defenses. I mean, who doesn’t like a person that creates a positive and enjoyable atmosphere?
I always love when two or more people share a great sense of humor. Itโs like having a front-row seat for a comedy show.
10) They have emotional intelligence
Apart from being intelligent, they are also emotionally intelligent. This helps them understand and regulate their own emotions while also recognizing and empathizing with the emotions of others.
This is especially important when giving feedback to others.
They focus on highlighting the strengths and achievements of the person while offering gentle suggestions for improvement. Their feedback is specific, constructive, and delivered in a non-threatening manner, fostering a sense of growth and motivation.
11) Theyโre patient and understanding
And lastly, being incredibly patient is a personal trait that most people who always see the best in others possess. Iโd even say itโs a key characteristic.
What most people donโt understand is that growth requires time and practice.
If you arenโt aware of that fact at all times, of course, youโre going to be impatient or even angry at them, even youโre friends and family (or especially them).
I can think of many examples where the need to have patience is glaring. Teaching, coaching, friendship, team and office setting, and so on.
Unfortunately, these are the fields where there is often the least patience and understanding.
Final thoughts
I just listed 11 of the most important personality traits of people who always see the best in people. How many do you have?
Is there room for improvement? Could you become an even better person?
