How You Walk Reveals About Your Personality

Believe it or not, every little thing that you do gives signs about your personality type. Even the tiniest of details can give people different first impressions, even the way you walk! A particular study carried out in 2017, by Caleb Backe, a health and wellness expert, shared and compared the walking speed and styles with the “The Big 5” personality traits (Bright Side, 2020). The traits included were openness, agreeableness, neuroticism, extroversion, and conscientiousness (Cherry, 2020). In this article, I will be addressing distinct walking patterns that correspond to 7 different personality types, not because I want you to be over-conscious of how you walk, but because it might be a factor that determines what people think of you.

The Executive

Do you walk at a fast paced without focusing too much on what’s happening around you? These walking patterns might slot you into the “executive” personality type. As an executive, you usually walk at a fast pace with focused strides. You will also walk with your head up while being absorbed in your own thoughts, so bumping into people might be a common occurrence for you (Bright Side, 2020). As an executive, your main personality trait, according to “The Big 5” personality traits, is conscientiousness. You are goal-oriented and a great problem solver (Cherry, 2020). However, your way of walking and not minding your surroundings might give an unfriendly and intense vibe to people.

The Politician

Are you someone who’s way of walking could be described as confident? As a “politician”, you walk in a lively manner, with your head held up high, chest forward, and shoulders back (Bright Side, 2020). Politicians are known to be very proud and are great at speaking and engaging with people. Your main personality traits are openness and extroversion. You have great social skills, while also desiring acknowledgement and appreciation. Additionally, you are someone who enjoys challenges, but gets bored very easily.

The Worrier

Do you feel like you tend to walk very slowly as compared to other people while keeping your head down? These two traits are more common in people who worry more about things, so if your answer to the question is yes, then you might be a “worrier”. Your inner cautiousness makes you take slower and shorter strides because you are looking out for yourself (Steber, 2018). Additionally, “worriers” have the personality trait of introversion, or low extroversion, so you might find yourself consistently keeping your eyes on the ground, rather than walking with your head help up high.

The Chiller

Do people usually tell you that their first impression of you was that you were an extremely relaxed person? Well, one factor that might have given you that impression was your way of walking. As a “chiller”, you walk at a slow pace while taking soft steps (Entertainment Times, 2017). You also walk with your body loose and a relaxed posture. A “chiller” refers to someone who has a very easy-going and relaxed approach to life. Your main personality trait is agreeableness, as you are someone who tends to focus on others more than your own (Bright Side, 2020). In addition, you are a very calm and intuitive person, but might seem like a slacker and easily influenced.

The Arm Crosser

Are you someone who prefers to be alone and walks with your arms crossed? Crossing your arms while walking can give very clear hints about your personality, since this action usually signifies a desire to distance or isolate yourself by creating a psychological and physical barrier (Navarro, 2014). This, in turn, can signal vulnerability. However, studies have shown that there is a special importance on who you’re giving the impression to, because crossing your arms with strangers has a different meaning to crossing your arms when surrounded by friends. Basically, strangers will get the impression that you are distancing yourself, while friends can get the impression that you are interested and engaged in a conversation (Navarro, 2014).

The Stomper

Do you tend to walk while taking loud steps that resemble a stomp? This action can give people around you the impression that you are angry, frustrated, or that you are a persistent person (Bright Side, 2020). In addition to it possibly meaning that you have a short temper, it can also give the impression that you have a childish nature, since it resembles the way that children walk when they are angry (Entertainment Times, 2017).

The Showboat

Are you someone who likes to show-off? As a “showboat”, you usually walk with a high level of confidence and intent.You will emphasize gestures such as swaying your arms and hips in an exaggerated manner as you like attracting the attention of people around you (Bright Side, 2020). You will walk with your head held up high and your shoulders back because of your high level of confidence. A “showboat” generally refers to people who like to brag or boast. Your personality has traits of command and charisma, although people might get the impression that you are self-absorbed.

To conclude, it is important to once again mention that this article does not have the objective of making you self-conscious about the way you walk. Instead, it has the main aim of helping you familiarise and understand the relation that exists between your body language and personality.

References

Bright Side, 2020. What The Way You Walk Reveals About Your Personality. [online] Bright Side. Available at: <https://brightside.me/inspiration-psychology/what-the-way-you-walk-reveals-about-your-personality-795130/> [Accessed 6 November 2020].

Cherry, K., 2020. The Big Five Personality Traits. [online] Very Well Mind. Available at: <https://www.verywellmind.com/the-big-five-personality-dimensions-2795422> [Accessed 6 November 2020].

Entertainment Times, 2017. The Way You Walk Reveals THIS About Your Personality. [online] Times of India. Available at: <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/photo-stories/the-way-you-walk-says-this-about-your-personality/photostory/62217829.cms> [Accessed 6 November 2020].

Navarro, J., 2014. 9 Truths Exposing A Myth About Body Language. [online] Psychology Today. Available at: <https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/spycatcher/201410/9-truths-exposing-myth-about-body-language#:~:text=Next%20to%20walking%20away%2C%20the,It’s%20Cold.> [Accessed 6 November 2020].

Steber, C., 2018. 7 Things You Can Determine About Someone’S Personality Based On The Way They Walk. [online] Bustle. Available at: <https://www.bustle.com/p/7-things-you-can-determine-about-someones-personality-based-on-the-way-they-walk-10139056> [Accessed 6