As we navigate the professional world and strive for personal growth, it’s important to cultivate

certain qualities and characteristics that will help us succeed. While technical skills and expertise are
certainly important, research has shown that there are certain “human qualities” that are also crucial
for achieving success in both work and life.

In an article for UX Matters, Lisa Welty identifies 13 such qualities that are essential for anyone
looking to thrive in their career and personal endeavors. These qualities, which include emotional
intelligence, self-awareness, and adaptability, are all related to our personal and social development
and can have a significant impact on our ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with
others.
Emotional intelligence:

The ability to recognize and manage our own emotions, as well as the emotions of others, is crucial
for successful communication and relationships. Emotionally intelligent individuals can regulate their
own emotions and respond appropriately to the emotions of others, which helps to create a positive
and productive work environment.
Self-awareness:

Knowing ourselves and our limitations is essential for personal growth and development. Self-aware
individuals can accurately assess their strengths and weaknesses, and they are also able to recognize
how their actions and behaviors impact those around them.
Adaptability:

The ability to adapt to new situations and challenges is an important quality to have in an increasingly
fast-paced and constantly changing world. Those who can adapt and learn new things quickly are
better able to navigate unfamiliar environments and find success in their endeavors.
Empathy:

The ability to understand and share the feelings of others is crucial for building strong relationships
and effectively communicating with others. Empathetic individuals can put themselves in others’
shoes and see things from their perspective, which helps to foster understanding and cooperation.
Resilience:

The ability to bounce back from setbacks and failures is essential for success in any field. Resilient
individuals can persevere in the face of adversity and continue working towards their goals, even in
the face of obstacles.
Communication skills:

The ability to effectively communicate with others is crucial for building relationships and achieving
success in any field. This includes both verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as the ability to
listen actively and communicate clearly and concisely.
Interpersonal skills:

The ability to interact and build relationships with others is important for both personal and
professional success. This includes things like conflict resolution, teamwork, and the ability to
establish trust and rapport with others.
Confidence:

Confidence in our abilities and ourselves is important for achieving success and taking on new
challenges. It’s important to strike a balance between confidence and humility, however, as
overconfidence can be detrimental.
Creativity:

The ability to think outside the box and come up with new and innovative ideas is an important
quality for any field. Creative individuals can approach problems and challenges from a fresh
perspective and find new and unique solutions.
Critical thinking:
The ability to analyze and evaluate information and arguments is crucial for making informed
decisions and solving problems. Those who are skilled at critical thinking can consider multiple
viewpoints and weigh the pros and cons of different options before making a decision.
Leadership:

The ability to inspire and guide others toward a common goal is an important quality to have in any
leadership role. Effective leaders can motivate and empower their team members and create a
positive and productive work environment.
Persistence:

The ability to persevere and stay.

Flexibility:

The ability to be flexible and open to change is important for success in any field. Those who can
adapt and adjust to new circumstances and challenges are better able to navigate uncertainty and
find success.

In addition to these 13 qualities, it’s important to also cultivate other personal characteristics that can
contribute to our overall well-being and success. These might include things like self-discipline, self-
motivation, and a positive attitude.

Developing these qualities and characteristics takes time and effort, but it can be a rewarding process
that helps us to grow both personally and professionally. By focusing on our personal development
and striving to cultivate these human qualities, we can set ourselves up for success in work and life.