Episode 9: What's the Big Deal With the Big Five?

In this episode of Mission 501: The Podcast, Ryan explores the Big Five personality traits — what they are, why they matter, and how understanding them can strengthen nonprofit teams and leadership. You've probably heard of personality frameworks before, but this one's the real deal. From collaboration to conflict and beyond, the Big Five quietly shape the way we work together. Listen in for practical examples, a bit of psychology, and nonprofit-relevant insights that just might change how you think about personality at work. 💡 Want to dig deeper on the Big Five? Whether you're just getting to know the Big Five or want to explore the research behind it, here are some great resources to get you started — from beginner-friendly reads to foundational academic work: Take the Big Five for Yourself! This adapted version of the Big Five from Open Psychometrics is a great way to get a quick measurement of your own Big Five traits. Complete for yourself, then have your team complete and compare results! https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/IPIP-BFFM/  Verywell Mind: The Big Five Personality Traits https://www.verywellmind.com/the-big-five-personality-dimensions-2795422  A straightforward guide that breaks down each of the five traits and what they look like in everyday life. Great place to start. Psychology Today: Big Five Basics https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/big-5-personality-traits  A bite-sized explanation of each trait, how they show up, and why they matter. Britannica: Five-Factor Model of Personality https://www.britannica.com/science/five-factor-model-of-personality A crisp, encyclopedic summary with scholarly clarity. Great for listeners who want a reliable high-level overview. Academic + Historical Sources Goldberg (1981): Language and Individual Differences (PDF) https://projects.ori.org/lrg/PDFs_papers/universals.lexicon.81.pdf  The original academic paper where Lewis Goldberg coined the term "Big Five" and laid the groundwork for this personality model. Widiger & Crego (2019): Update on the Five Factor Model https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wps.20658  A scholarly but accessible summary of where the model stands today, its applications, and why it holds up across cultures and studies.