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.

Gurus have a dream—to make the world a better place. With a sole purpose to serve, they do their best to enrich the lives of those around them while expecting nothing in return. When others feel down, Gurus enlighten them with eye-opening insights, elevating them to greater heights. By unleashing their warmth and wisdom, they spread joy to others, leaving the world a little better than they found it.

That said, there’s a fine line between altruism and selfishness; it is called motive. Some Gurus may lose themselves in service of others, unaware that their actions often stem from a need for approval. Thus, when they fail to be of use, a feeling of worry may consume them like wildfire. In truth, Gurus are not being altruistic when their purpose and intentions do not align. They may seem to be doing the right things, but clearly for the wrong reasons.

Apart from that, Gurus who are overly devoted to helping must accept that they can't love others without first loving themselves. Some Gurus may continue to extend their help even if their shoulders are weighed down by heavy commitments, thinking that they can take on the world. Alas, they are only human. Pouring themselves into a bottomless pit will only lead to burnout. If Gurus forget to refill their own cups, they will eventually run dry, unable to shower the world with inspiration.

Every conflict is like an iceberg. Under the surface lies a mass of beliefs and motivations unconsciously governing everyone. Instead of dealing with the issue on the surface, Gurus rather dive deep to bring people's subconscious to light. Instinctually, they cut through the noise and uncover the root of the problem. With their insights, Gurus seek to enlighten others with a profound understanding of the problem, bringing any conflict to a peaceful end.

However, Gurus are often cautious with their words, mindful not to hurt anybody’s feelings. So, they may beat around the bush, reluctant to address the painful details that are vital to resolving a conflict. Gurus may not realize that the uncomfortable truth must be revealed in order to help others grow and learn from their mistakes. By avoiding difficult conversations, Gurus allow problems to fester underneath the surface, leading to worsening conflicts in the future.

At first glance, Gurus who remain neutral on issues may appear to be understanding of both sides. Yet, the problem actually lies in them not having an opinion on anything. When taken to the extreme, their sense of morality might be wholly dependent on the group, making it difficult for them to distinguish right from wrong. If Gurus do not realize this, they may end up swaying wherever the wind blows, agreeing with everyone for the sake of “group harmony”.

Aspiring for a better future, Gurus strive to bring change to better the lives of others. They measure success not by fame and fortune, but the impact they have on changing the world. Therefore, they share brilliant insights to others, shedding light on profound perspectives toward life. By doing so, Gurus naturally earn the respect of those around them, becoming valued members of their community.

However, not everyone can see eye to eye with the idealistic visions of Gurus. More often than not, their lofty ambitions are bogged down by the strenuous demands of society. Paralyzed by everybody’s needs and expectations, Gurus may eventually give up on their aspirations to live up to the ideals set by others. Without a strong purpose to hold on to, Gurus may never change the world the way they hoped to.

Although some Gurus are able to garner immense admiration for their wisdom, they may still feel a void of nothingness within. Beneath the facade, their vision of an ideal world might only be a concept they preach to impress others. Because they weren’t that serious about it in the first place, nothing concrete ever transpires from their empty talks of inspiration. To ensure actual success, Gurus must pair their vision with concrete action to translate dreams into reality.

Filled with insights, Gurus love steering people in the right direction. They thoughtfully impart wisdom to others so that people will accept it with an open heart. Even when it comes to negative feedback, Gurus have a knack for delivering their point without getting people riled up and defensive. Blessed with a flair for words, Gurus are often inspiring and persuasive, possessing the power to influence the masses.

As wise as Gurus seem to be, they might sometimes give insightful advice that lacks substance. Their words may sound deep at first, but a closer look might reveal that they make little to no sense. When Gurus share insights without first verifying the truth of what they are saying, it will only diminish the value of their words. To really provide useful and helpful advice, Gurus must ensure that their message does not only sound profound; it must be logically coherent as well.

Gurus who are oblivious may even annoy others with unsolicited advice. It may seem condescending and presumptive when Gurus voice their opinions where they aren't welcomed. Doing so permeates an air of conceited superiority, giving others the impression that they know what's better. If Gurus keep giving unwanted advice, the power of their words will gradually decay, losing its influence over 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.

Read next section →
Supportive Traits [Guru]