29 Jul Meet OCEAN: The Personality Tool Every Entrepreneur Should Know
by Kalika Yap
Have you ever thought:
“If only I were more outgoing…”
“If I could stay calm under pressure…”
“If I were better at sticking to a routine…”
You’re not alone—and you’re not stuck.
Journalist Olga Khazan explored this in the Radio Atlantic episode You Can Change Your Personality, hosted by Hanna Rosin. Olga shares how she spent a year trying to shift traits like extraversion and emotional reactivity—while juggling new motherhood and her career. She joined improv classes, practiced mindfulness, and tracked her progress.
Her book, Me, But Better, shares more of that experiment and pulls from research by psychologists like Dr. Nate Hudson, whose studies show that personality isn’t fixed. With simple habits, practiced consistently, people can change their behavior—and over time, those changes can shift how they see and carry themselves.
The model Olga used is called OCEAN. It stands for:
- Openness
- Conscientiousness
- Extraversion
- Agreeableness
- Neuroticism
These five traits—also known as the Big Five—offer a helpful framework to see how you respond to stress, relate to others, and work toward your goals.
How to use OCEAN in your business:
- Take a Big Five assessment
Try PersonalityAssessor.com or another free version to get your scores.
- Review your results
Which traits help you run your business smoothly? Which ones get in the way?
- Pick one trait to work on
Maybe you’d like to be more structured. Or feel less anxious before meetings.
- Choose one small action
For example: “Block out 15 minutes to plan the day” or “Speak up once in each group call.”
- Check in after a few weeks
Keep an eye on how you feel. These aren’t overnight shifts—but they build over time.
If you’d like to use OCEAN to strengthen your leadership, reduce stress, or support your growth, I’d love to help.
Book a free entrepreneur coaching discovery call:
https://calendly.com/Kalika
RECOMMENDED WORKSHEET
Understanding Your OCEAN Profile
A simple, reflective worksheet to help you understand your OCEAN profile, identify strengths, and choose one small action to support your personal or professional growth.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Me, But Better by Olga Khazan
A relatable look at how small daily shifts can reshape your personality over time.
Personality Isn’t Permanent by Benjamin Hardy
Shows how your personality is flexible—and how you can shape it with intention.
Emotional Agility by Susan David
Teaches how to manage emotions wisely to lead and live with clarity.
Quiet by Susan Cain
Celebrates introversion and how quiet strengths can lead to powerful leadership.
RECOMMENDED PODCAST
Focus, Self-Reflection, and Little Steps
with Dandapani
In this EO Wonder Podcast episode, Dandapani shares practical tools on focus, self-reflection, and building discipline—offering simple, powerful steps to help you gain clarity and move toward your goals with intention.
