What qualifies someone as a good person? What are the personality traits we should all try to have? This list of the best qualities in a person will give you the answers to these questions!
Basically, if you want to become the best possible version of yourself, these are the character traits you should adopt. The same goes for finding your forever person or best friend: look for people with these qualities.
27 Best Qualities In A Person
If you have most of these qualities, you’re an amazing person!
1. Empathy
The first on the list of the best qualities in a person is, without a doubt, empathy. I mean, you can’t really call yourself a nice person if you’re unable to feel compassion toward others.
But you shouldn’t only feel empathy for your loved ones. A good person is compassionate towards everyone around them, including total strangers.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you are expected to put their needs in front of your own because hyper-empathy can be overbearing. It just means that you can understand someone else’s feelings and walk a mile in their shoes if needed.
2. Self-awareness
Another awesome personality trait is self-awareness. This means that you have the ability to assess yourself, just like if you were an objective bystander.
I warn you: this one is quite difficult to achieve. However, it is crucial to achieve it if you want to make any progress.
The word says it all: you should be aware of yourself. Yes, that includes possessing knowledge about your flaws as well.
Of course, you should also be aware of your good character traits. You should know what you’re capable of and what you can achieve.
But, if you don’t know yourself, you will never know more about your compatibility with others either.
3. Self-confidence
Be more self-confident! I bet you’ve heard this piece of advice a million times. And it’s a good piece of advice – there is no doubt about that.
However, we all know that this is much easier said than done. Self-esteem really is one of the most positive character traits once you know how to handle it properly.
First and foremost, you have to find the strength to overcome your insecurities. Self-confidence usually goes hand in hand with self-love, which is something you have to achieve if you want happiness.
Nevertheless, you should never be too cocky. Being confident about yourself means believing in your abilities, and it is something all successful people do.
But it doesn’t include believing that you’re better or more important than anyone else. Be careful not to cross this thin line!
4. Honesty
Life experience teaches you one thing: a harsh truth beats a comforting lie every time. When you’re younger, you don’t know how to appreciate honesty, and you prefer being surrounded by people who flatter you and tell you exactly what you want to hear.
However, as you grow up and older, you learn that honesty is actually one of the best qualities in a person.
That is why I’m here to tell you to always be honest, no matter what! Don’t hide the truth, as awful as it might be.
Be honest with yourself, your loved ones, and everyone else in your surroundings. You’ll have a clear conscience, you’ll sleep better at night, and people will appreciate you more!
5. Competence
All successful people and great leaders have one thing in common: competency. Don’t worry, nobody expects you to be an expert in every field in life. After all, that would be impossible, and at the end of the day, it would mean that you’re actually not competent in anything.
Nevertheless, you should choose some areas of expertise to perfect your set of skills. When you find the career of your dreams, make sure you’re the best at what you do.
The same goes for hobbies and other activities. Only the best is good enough!
6. Fairness
Here is another quality every good leader possesses: fairness. I’m not saying that you will be in a leadership position, but it is a quality you should aim to have as well.
Forget about discrimination of any kind. Instead, focus on equality and equity around you.
Your core values should inspire you to always be fair and just. That means that you are allergic to injustice, even when it doesn’t concern you personally.
7. Loyalty
One of the best qualities in a person is loyalty. Loyalty isn’t only connected to romance – you should be a loyal person in all of your relationships.
It means sticking to your promises, not betraying those who trust you, and not leaving when things get hard. It means staying by your loved one’s side through thick and thin.
If you’re a loyal person, you’d never stab someone in the back.
You don’t go around badmouthing your friends, and if you have something to tell them, you say it to their faces. In fact, you would rather die than allow anyone to say something bad about them in your presence.
8. Generosity
Do you know what connects all good people in the world? They’re all incredibly generous. They’re ready to share everything they have with those in need.
I’m sorry to break this to you, but if you don’t feel the urge to help others, you can’t call yourself a particularly good person.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should take care of other people’s well-being at the expense of your own needs. You should be willing to share, but don’t forget that you always come first!
9. Politeness
Remember this: good manners never go out of style. No matter the situation you’re in, you must always be polite. This is especially true for those in a “lower” social position than you.
If you’re a good leader, you’ll always be polite toward your employees. Be polite to little children, the elderly, and those who serve you.
Going out for a fancy dinner in a restaurant or staying in a hotel and being rude to the staff is a big, fat no. It doesn’t show your dominance – it is only a sign that you’re impolite and inconsiderate, and nobody will respect you for that.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should nod your head to everything people say to you. You’re more than welcome to stand up for yourself, but even when you argue with someone, do it with class!
10. Passion
There is nothing more important than being passionate in life. I’m not only talking about physical intimacy here – I’m talking about keeping in mind that you only live once and making the best out of this short time you have in this world.
Find something (or someone) that awakens butterflies in your tummy. Be passionate about your relationships, your career, and the things that make you happy.
Learn how to enjoy life. Make every step along the way count, and live every day as if it is your last.
Never do anything half-heartedly. Instead, go all the way in, or don’t go at all!
11. Bravery
One of the best qualities in a person is courage. Don’t get me wrong – nobody expects you to fight a bear with your bare hands. That’s not at all what being brave is about.
Being courageous is not about the absence of fear. On the contrary, it’s about being aware of your fears but facing them anyway. It’s about being in touch with your vulnerable side and embracing your emotions, even if you don’t like them.
Being brave means taking risks. It’s all about doing what you want to do, even if you’re not sure about the outcome of the situation.
It means looking danger directly in the eye and fighting it with everything you have instead of running away like a coward.
12. Authenticity
You know what they say: Be yourself because an original is always better than a copy. Well, this is absolutely true.
Authenticity is one of the best qualities in a person. It is what makes you, you. It’s what helps you stand out from the crowd and prevents you from losing your true self.
Authenticity is all about being yourself instead of trying desperately to fit into social standards. It’s about following your path, even if others point you in a different direction.
Being authentic means staying true to your core values, even if you’re under pressure to behave differently. It means not copying anyone and living your life by your own rules.
13. Reliability
Are you the kind of person your friends and family can count on at all times? What would happen if they called you in the middle of the night, asking for help?
Would you ignore their phone calls or text messages and assume their emergency can wait until morning? Or would you run to them, even if you don’t think their problem is as important as they do?
A reliable person would always do the latter.
What about sticking to your promises? Do you keep your word, even if the entire world is collapsing? Would you rather die than make a promise you can’t fulfill?
That is how reliable people behave. And that is exactly how you should behave if you want to have some of the best qualities in a person!
14. Trustworthiness
Another amazing personality trait we should all possess is trustworthiness. If you have this quality, people believe you because you’ve proven to be honest and reliable.
When your friends tell you a secret, they know it will die with you. Also, they frequently ask for your advice because they trust your opinion and judgment-making skills.
15. Listening skills
This usually goes hand in hand with your amazing listening skills. You’re awesome at healthy communication, and you’re not someone who keeps blabbing about yourself without ever giving the other person a chance to speak.
Your closest friends, family members, and even coworkers love to confide in you. They know that you’re emphatic and compassionate, so you’ll easily understand their point of view.
16. Responsibility
Here’s another character trait you simply must possess if you want to become the best possible version of yourself: responsibility. I’m not only talking about legal responsibility here – I’m talking about moral responsibilities as well.
You’re a mature adult, and one of the worst things you can do is avoid the responsibilities in your professional or personal life.
If you have an obligation to do something, go through with it. If someone is under your care (for example, your children), you must fulfill your role in the best way possible.
17. Teamwork
Remember one thing: as much as you cherish your individuality and authenticity (which you should), you’re still part of society. This means that there will be tons of moments, starting from school through your working life, when you’ll have to join forces with others to make success.
One of the best qualities in a person is their teamwork skills. If you think about it, you’ll realize that every relationship in your life actually involves a lot of teamwork!
18. Integrity
What does it mean to have integrity? Well, simply put, it’s about standing up for what you believe in. It’s about your actions being in tune with your words.
A person with integrity keeps their word and fulfills their promises, no matter what. They don’t give up on their moral values, even if all hell breaks loose.
Basically, if you have integrity, you practice what you preach instead of being a hypocrite!
19. Forgiving
Repeat after me: your ability to forgive doesn’t make you a weak human being. On the contrary, it makes you strong enough to let go and move on from whatever broke your heart.
Sometimes, you just have to accept the apologies you didn’t get. It will be liberating, and it will help you heal.
Don’t worry, this is not me telling you that those who did you harm deserve your forgiveness. They most certainly do not. However, you deserve to forgive them for your own sake. This is the only way to get rid of the negativity that’s been burdening you.
Most importantly, you need to learn how to forgive yourself. We all make mistakes, so please, don’t be too hard on yourself the next time you make one!
20. Self-discipline
Self-discipline is one of the best qualities in a person. It shows that you can practice self-control. This is your life, and you’re in charge.
Basically, self-discipline sometimes means doing something your heart doesn’t want to do. Nevertheless, you know it’s the right choice, and you do it anyhow.
But self-discipline is much more than that. It’s getting up to go to work every single morning simply because you know you have to.
It’s sticking to your diet and going to the gym even if you’re tired, just because you know it will do you a lot of good in the future.
21. Faithfulness
This character trait is undebatable, and it has to do with your romantic relationships. No cheating is allowed!
Yes, flirting with other people outside of your relationship is also cheating. Installing online dating apps and texting other people means you’re being unfaithful.
Look, nobody is forcing you to remain in one relationship for your whole life. Even if you get married, there is a chance of falling out of love or even falling in love with someone else.
But if you’re a good person, you’ll end your first relationship respectfully before starting a new one!
22. Respectfulness
Talking about respect… one of the best qualities in a person is respectfulness. Remember how I told you to be polite in every situation possible?
Well, politeness is only a part of respect.
You have to understand that you don’t live alone in this world. That means that other people’s needs and well-being always have to be on your mind besides your own.
But being respectful is more than giving your seat to an elderly person or not disturbing your neighbors late at night.
It also includes respecting other people’s personal boundaries and, most importantly, their differences!
23. Ambition
If you want to become better, you must have ambition. Forget about your comfort zone and always strive to achieve more.
Successful people don’t wait for things to fall from the sky into their laps. They don’t sit around, waiting for a miracle to happen.
On the contrary, they’re hard-working, and they always want more. They don’t cheat or steal – they roll up their sleeves and reach their goals.
24. Humility
But there is one thing to keep in mind when it comes to ambition: never become ruthless on your journey to achieving success! Never forget the entire list of the best qualities in a person as well!
Humility is definitely one of them! No matter how much money you make, how famous you become, and how powerful you get, never forget where you came from.
There is nothing attractive about being arrogant or too proud. You’re not better than anyone else, and your success doesn’t give you the right to look down on others!
25. Gratitude
What goes hand in hand with humility? That’s right, gratitude!
When you reach the top, never forget the people who gave you a hand along the way. Don’t forget to thank the people who do you even the smallest favor.
Of course, don’t forget to thank God for all your blessings, even the ones that initially looked like curses. Don’t forget to be grateful for all the lessons you’ve learned and all the life experiences you got to go through over this time.
Don’t forget to thank yourself for the strength you’ve gained in becoming a better person. And don’t forget to thank faith for stumbling upon this great article that showed you the best qualities in a person.
26. Adaptable
You’re a human being, not a tree. If you want to become better, you have to become adaptive in your professional and personal life. You have to be able to adjust to different situations and get the best out of everything life throws at you.
Adaptability means being able to fit into different surroundings and making the best out of various circumstances.
Let’s say you have to change jobs or even move to another city. Would this be the end of the world for you? Well, an adaptive person would make things work, one way or another!
27. Independence
Emotional dependability is never healthy. No matter how strong your bond with someone is, you should always keep your individuality. Don’t lose yourself even if your life depended on it.
One of the best qualities in a person is independence and self-sufficiency. This doesn’t mean that you can’t function as part of a team or that you are a lone wolf.
However, it’s important that you live a self-governing life.
Traveling the world on your own? Not a problem! Living by yourself? A dream come true!
You’re aware that all your relationships can improve the quality of your life. Nevertheless, you know how to be happy on your own because you’re in charge of your own well-being.
To Wrap Up:
With this list of best qualities in a person, upgrading your personality has never been easier.
Look, nobody expects you to be perfect. I understand if you don’t have all of these traits – after all, you’re just a human being, and you naturally have your own flaws.
But what matters is that you always aim for self-improvement. You should work on having more good qualities than bad ones, and before you know it, you’ll reach your goal!
