Behaviour & Personality:
What’s the Difference?
Strictly speaking behaviour is a sub-set of personality. But the words and ideas of personality and behaviour are often used interchangeably which can be confusing. While they are linked they are not the same, more like overlapping aspects of a person that influence each other. Here are the differences:
Personality:
Definition: Personality represents the unique and consistent patterns in a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Characteristics: These patterns, such as extroversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, are relatively stable and enduring over time.
Nature: Personality traits are often inherent and shaped by genetic factors and early life experiences.
Impact: Personality provides a broad understanding of a person's overall disposition and how they generally tend to respond and feel across different situations.
Behavior:
Definition: Behavior refers to the specific actions and reactions of an individual in response to their environment.
Characteristics: Behavior is the observable and measurable aspect of how a person acts, which can vary significantly depending on the context or situation.
Nature: Unlike personality traits, behavior is more influenced by external factors and can be consciously adjusted or modified.
Impact: Behavior shows how a person interacts with their surroundings and others, providing a direct and practical way to understand and influence actions in specific scenarios.
Key Differences:
Stability: Personality traits are consistent over time, whereas behavior can change depending on the situation.
Depth: Personality encompasses deep-seated traits and patterns, while behavior is the surface-level manifestation that is easily observable.
Changeability: Behavior is more adaptable and easier to change, making it more practical for targeted interventions, especially in settings like the workplace.
Practical Implications
In a workplace context, understanding the difference between personality and behavior is crucial. While personality profiles provide insightful overviews, they might not be directly actionable. In contrast, focusing on behavior allows for observable and modifiable changes that can significantly improve individual and team performance. Tools like DISC Profiling leverage this by concentrating on observable behaviors, making it easier to implement practical changes and enhance workplace dynamics effectively.
In summary, while personality is about the enduring traits that define a person’s character, behaviour is about the observable actions and responses that a person exhibits in different situations.