Eat Sleep Work Repeat - better workplace culture Our personalities are changing, will it ruin work?
29 snips
Sep 5, 2025 Nick McClelland, CEO of Byrne Dean and expert in workplace dynamics, delves into how the pandemic has reshaped personality traits, particularly among younger workers. He discusses the declines in conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extraversion and their implications for employee engagement. The conversation highlights the increasing conflicts in workplaces fueled by external tensions and the importance of respectful communication. McClelland also examines the challenges of maintaining connections in a hybrid work environment dominated by digital communication.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Big Five Shifts Are Measurable And Predictive
- The Big Five traits (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism) reliably predict outcomes like job performance and mental health.
- John Burn Murdoch's panel data shows marked declines in several traits, notably conscientiousness among 16–39 year olds from ~48 to ~29.
Researcher Reacts To Trait Declines
- Nick McClelland recounted his 2018 research linking conscientiousness and neuroticism to financial behaviours.
- He said seeing the recent trait decline would have made him ask "what the hell has happened in the world" if predicted then.
Personality Can Change, But Rapid Shifts Are Rare
- The Big Five are somewhat malleable but usually change slowly through life events and habit formation.
- Large, rapid shifts across cohorts are atypical and therefore notable if confirmed.