PERSONALITY / CONVERSATION

                                           15        PERSONALITY                                           

Personality is a complex assemblage. It begins with the ‘looks’ of the person; but goes far beyond the physical realm into those of mind, brain, intellect, compassion and composure. Being so, how well a personality is understood or recognized owe themselves to the persons assessing the personality. Perhaps, how does the person appeal to a wide spectrum of people is construed as that individual’s personality. As is in any ‘subjective’ issue, ‘personality’ too remains an item of preference. Yet, there are venues and avenues which profess of ‘personality development’. Obviously, certain criteria govern the ‘acceptability’ of a personality. Much relates to aspects of disposition by which ‘interactions’ are carried out.

Personality development can be a pruning event rather than ‘development’. A large measure of one’s personality is ‘in-born’; so only a few items may be added to strengthen it. Transformations cannot be aimed at to bring forth radical changes. Personality is partly inherited and some peripherals may be derived by social interaction, education and tasteful preference of the individual. In short, it is the way a person practises aspects of interaction by listening, interaction and responses. That it could be ‘developed’ is somewhat beyond easy approach. However, niceties can be added to the aspects of interaction. Stated in simple terms, some approaches can be cultivated to improve the totality of one’s personality. Any way it calls for a precise assessment of the aspects which require attention. Personality development is not a step of training; it is rather a process of practising by cultivation. 

16      CONVERSATION

Conversation is an informal activity. It provides enough opportunity to grasp others’ points of view and style of expression. But, the opportunity rests on the group into which we enter. Obviously, people from different settings make a better team than those formed by members of like setting and age. Strangely, members of different age groups or social settings do not come together easily. So, one has to consider mingling with members of slightly higher age, as to be in a position to learn faster. There will be restrictions precluding the chance; an attempt to get into such groups is wiser than staying in peer-rich grouping. Though a little degree of freedom may have to be foregone, keeping company with elder groups can help learning expressions faster. It would be better, if such a group is comprised of persons from different language backgrounds.  The spirit of the suggestion is to look for opportunities of learning different forms of expression, as each language has a culture of usages. These reflect in the framing of statements and in the art of employing the vocabulary.

If we happen to get in touch with voracious readers, chances are we can find more avenues of learning, spread over an expanse of knowledge domain. So, the idea of ‘conversation’ is not chatting; rather it is an occasion to learn better ways of expressing ideas. In the final analysis, we are clearly perceived if our ideas are laid out with ease and comfort.  The general trend of indifference to finer aspects of expression is an impediment to ascension, as in official circles, talent of expression counts the most. Those who have managed to stay abreast of language skills are the most sought after and are held in esteem by the authorities. Those who have not equipped themselves with such niceties, tend to brush aside the skilled ones; but inevitably turn to them for help on hours of demand. Therefore, occasions of conversation must be utilized to learn and cultivate sophisticated expressions to perfection. Conversations carry the innate advantage of warding off inhibitions that shroud all formal interactions. Formalized schedules are far less permissive than are conversations.