Our personalities are changing, will it ruin work?

Our personalities are changing, will it ruin work?

Author: brucedaisley.com September 5, 2025 Duration: 23:53

Last month the FInancial Times published an article by John Burn Murdoch in the form of an analysis of personality data, specifically looking at what are styled the Big Five personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.


Typically these five factors are regarded as a statistically reliable way to measure personality. Unlike approaches like Myers Briggs these factors prove consistent over time and psychologists took a view that much of the variance of human personality can be understood using these factors. Interestingly these factors also prove predictive for other outcomes. Conscientiousness for example predicts academic success and job performance, neuroticism can predict mental health issues.


To discuss it I'm joined by Nick McClelland, Nick is the CEO of Byrne Dean


The original article by John Burn Murdoch (archive version)

Newsletter discussion on the data

Discussion between John Burn Murdoch and Derek Thompson

Christopher Ferguson questions the effect size

Jay Van Bavel talks about the effect size of the data

Alex Haslam points out the questions that lead to the conscientiousness scores

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Eat Sleep Work Repeat is made and hosted by Bruce Daisley.


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There’s a conversation happening about how our jobs shape us, and Eat Sleep Work Repeat sits right at the heart of it. Host Bruce Daisley approaches workplace culture not with prescriptive advice, but with genuine curiosity, digging into the science and social dynamics behind why we work the way we do. Each episode feels like a thoughtful exploration, blending research from management, psychology, and sociology with real-world stories. You’ll hear discussions that challenge conventional wisdom about productivity, teamwork, and wellbeing, moving beyond simple fixes to understand the deeper systems at play. This podcast recognizes that improving work isn't just about office perks; it's about examining the rhythms, relationships, and expectations that fill our days. It’s for anyone who has ever wondered how to make their team more resilient, their own work more meaningful, or simply how to disconnect at the end of the day. With millions of listens, it’s become a trusted resource for rethinking the modern work experience. The tone is engaging and accessible, turning complex ideas into practical reflections. For more from Bruce Daisley, visit brucedaisley.com.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Eat Sleep Work Repeat - better workplace culture
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