If humans were computers, our dominant traits would be the operating system that is embedded and hard-coded in our minds. These deeply ingrained behaviors run on autopilot, driving our every action without conscious thought. Like breathing or blinking, we can actively choose to control our actions with enough concentration. However, most of the time, our recurring behaviors seem to be driven by our subconscious, functioning effortlessly and instinctively.

Instinct is a marvelous thing. It can
neither be explained nor ignored.

Agatha Christie

Dominant traits are often mistaken as strengths in most other personality systems. But here in Personality Ninja, we hold a different view. To us, traits are just traits, shaped by the wiring of our cognitive functions. Whether a trait is good or bad largely depends on the way it is used. As such, these traits can either be the source of one's greatest strengths, or the cause of their biggest downfall.

Naturally, we will hone our dominant traits, refining them into our super strengths. However, if we are not careful, there is a chance that we may push our dominant traits into overdrive, manifesting them in very unhealthy ways. In the end, our dominant traits are our natural tendencies and nothing more. The key to harnessing them effectively lies in knowing when, where, and how to use them.

Advocates are born with a huge heart for people. They always look outside themselves, seeking to enrich the lives of others. Even when faced with their own challenges, Advocates will make every effort to give, expecting nothing in return. By helping out those in need, they create a ripple effect, inspiring others to do the same. These little acts of kindness from Advocates are powerful, as they have the potential to open people’s minds, showing them the possibility of a better world.

While being selfless is a virtue, Advocates tend to get eaten up by worry when their efforts to help go unnoticed. This is because their desire to care for others might actually stem from a place of insecurity. Such Advocates are more concerned about their reputation than about being truly of service. Without reflecting on their intentions, it will be difficult for Advocates to tell apart altruism from people-pleasing.

If left unchecked, Advocates who sacrifice themselves too often are bound to burn out. Some of them may believe that it is selfish to care for themselves and deliberately dismiss their own wants and needs to focus on others. However, when Advocates take on more than they can handle, they will easily plunge into a downward spiral. Truth to be told, neglecting oneself in favor of others is ultimately a selfish act, as it is impossible to help anyone while drowning in negativity.

In a world full of diverse individuals, disagreements will surely arise. However, everything can be resolved with a warm heart and an open mind. Consequently, many Advocates are able to handle conflicts with outstanding grace. When clashes arise, they make an effort to consider all opinions, acting as a mediator to help both sides understand each other. In doing so, they ensure that everyone is heard, fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion—values crucial for harmony.

While their words may be sweet and gentle on the ears, it usually comes at a cost. In an attempt to soften the blow, their sugar-coated comments often fail to deliver the complete truth, leaving out hurtful but valuable criticism. When that happens, Advocates might not fully resolve the problem, allowing it to brew beneath the surface. Unless they learn to be straightforward, past conflicts would likely emerge once more, becoming worse than before.

More than that, some Advocates may blindly agree with the dominant viewpoint simply to avoid conflict, even if it means betraying their own principles. This approach might work, for some time. But if Advocates continue to follow the crowd without thoughtful consideration, people will eventually see through their facade, and their credibility will be severely eroded. In the long run, their lack of moral backbone may cause them to be shunned by their communities.

For most Advocates, success is the pinnacle of life, and it can be reached by taking on a valuable role in society. Thus, they strive to move up the social ladder by being inspiring, uplifting, and creative. By playing their part, Advocates are able to motivate and invigorate the people around them, often garnering respect from everybody. Before long, many of them will rise to the top, as their illuminating presence never fails to light up the souls of those they interact with.

Things start to go downhill for Advocates when validation becomes their only driving force in life. Wrapped up in how people see them, Advocates may act on the craziest ideas so long as it sparks excitement in others. Everyone likes having Advocates around because they aren't afraid of being a good sport to lighten up the mood. However, without self-control, Advocates may make a mockery of themselves, dealing serious damage to their own reputation in the long run.

And the truth is, there are many Advocates out there who achieved remarkable success, yet they can’t help but feel an empty void inside. Sadly, no amount of validation can fill this void if they are only trying to fit into society’s mold. If Advocates paused to reflect, they might realize that true success can only be found by committing to a cause that they genuinely care about. This not only brings them lasting success, but also makes them a bigger inspiration to those around them.

Life is a kaleidoscope of fascinating perspectives waiting to be discovered. Ever curious, Advocates are naturally great at igniting discussions. They often encourage people to exchange thoughts and ideas, exposing everyone to a plethora of viewpoints. Because of that, Advocates can easily inspire everyone with fresh perspectives, pushing their communities forward by revealing a world of infinite possibilities.

While Advocates have no trouble bringing discussions to life, they often get carried away, especially when things get exciting. Bursting with creativity, their minds are often lost in a sea of ideas, clueless of where the discussion is headed. However, novel ideas are only worth listening to when they are relevant to the topic at hand. Without focus, any ideas suggested by Advocates will become a pointless distraction rather than an eye-opening inspiration.

Moreover, Advocates who let their creativity run wild may end up being obnoxious, drawing undue attention upon themselves. When their imagination is set into overdrive, they might unknowingly spew out impractical ideas. Naturally, people will find Advocates annoying when they keep sharing thoughts that are ridiculous and outlandish. If this behavior persists, their opinions will eventually be dismissed as utter nonsense, losing all value in the eyes of others.

To wrap it up, dominant traits are neither our strengths nor are they our weaknesses. They are simply traits we tend to exhibit naturally in our daily lives without much realization.

The biggest reminder here is this: a trait is a trait. It is a unique characteristic of an archetype, each carrying its own pros and cons. With that understanding, let us now venture into the next set of traits that we do more consciously—our supportive traits.

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Supportive Traits [Advocate]