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.

If intelligence is defined as the ability to adapt to change, then Experts would be the smartest ones out there. Born with a sharp mind, Experts possess a great aptitude for navigating intricate situations. They easily tackle challenges head on, using their technical prowess to maneuver through its difficulties. Be it a sudden vehicle malfunction or an abrupt power outage, Experts never falter, as they know that they can always improvise and overcome any problem that comes their way.

However, when improvisation is overused, the consequences become evident. Experts may grow too comfortable with spontaneity, foolishly ignoring the benefits that come with planning. When their problems eventually go out of hand, they might find themselves in deep trouble, struggling to keep their heads above water. If Experts continue to do things off the cuff, they will inevitably realize that their untested and risky solutions are only making things worse.

When Experts get too cocky, their recklessness may lead them to their ultimate downfall. At their worst, they might try to challenge their luck, taking risky actions without considering its consequences. They may think that things look fine at the moment, but with time, they will soon face the severe repercussions of their negligence. If Experts are not careful, their impulsive actions could turn into their biggest regrets.

To Experts, nothing is more expensive than missed opportunities. As such, they are always ready to seize the moment, making every second of their lives worth it. Fearless to the unknown, they do not hesitate to dive right into action, as to them, failure is nothing but a chance for a new experience. So no matter the difficulty, Experts never shy away from obstacles, as they believe that if you never try, you never know.

However, the real challenge comes when it's time to commit. With life filled with so many opportunities, Experts prefer to keep their options open. They are always thinking that there's something better out there. Hence, they often leave their interests hanging, hopping from topic to topic before even scratching its surface. Without focus, Experts may be a jack of all trades, but ultimately a master of none.

While being bold is often a good thing, Experts might sometimes take it too far. With their insatiable thirst to explore, Experts tend to bite off more than they can chew, neglecting the potential risks that come with it. Because of this, they are often unprepared when the consequences take its toll. It's easy for Experts to mistake arrogance as boldness, and if they continue to be this foolhardy, the aftermath might prove fatal.

As precise individuals, Experts can find truth in even the most minute of details. With their sharp eye for subtleties, they are able to spot the distinctions between seemingly identical facts, comparing the data in an objective manner. This allows them to solve intricate problems by making accurate judgments. As such, one can always trust an Expert, as they are able to use their keen observations to discern the best.

Though Experts are particular with their facts, they may fall short when they have to connect them together. With a tendency to take things at face value, they may lack the intuition to read between the lines. This drives them to search for more facts without realizing that the answer lies in the concept behind it. If Experts cannot recognise the patterns, they may never be able to understand their knowledge holistically.

At their worst, Experts may focus too much on the details, unknowingly losing sight of the bigger picture. They tend to get distracted by all sorts of new facts, mindlessly straying off from what they were looking for in the first place. Thus, they may know about the horsepower of a motor engine or the stations of a railway line, but it is often irrelevant to the task at hand. Without being aware, Experts may just be blindly hunting for facts without a purpose.

Experts never stop learning, because life never stops teaching. With an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Experts are constantly going through a wide variety of topics, acquiring every pragmatic skill that the world has to offer. Their interests know no bounds, as they aim to explore everything there is to learn in the known universe. Because of this, Experts often harbor a wealth of knowledge, using it as stepping stones to their never-ending journey of inquiry.

Unfortunately, most of the their interests are usually short-lived. Always seeking for more, Experts have a tendency to change interests hastily. They are prone to drop any subject as soon as they grow bored of it. Hence, they often lack deep mastery of the topics, knowing only of the trivial facts about them. Without commitment, Experts may acquire a wide range of experiences, but what they will never obtain is depth.

Though it is great to have many interests, none of it will matter if there is no purpose behind them. Experts often fall into this category, as they tend to explore random topics without knowing why. This causes them to have a variety of useless facts that do not bring impact to their lives. Without a focused goal, Experts cannot channel their curiosity into something truly beneficial, and they may never get to venture into anything that is actually worthwhile.

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 [Expert]