How to Make Your Personality Stand Out

Co-authored by Amy Wong

Last Updated: January 17, 2023 References Approved

Many people want to be noticed and stand out. This can be beneficial at social circles or at work. If you want to stand out, work on becoming more interesting. Read more and explore new places. From there, strive to develop your unique self. Recognize your good qualities and find ways to express them. Lastly, engage with others socially. Embrace your unique interests, sense of humor, and opinions.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Becoming More Interesting

1
Read more. Reading is one of the best ways to be a more interesting person. Those who read on a regular basis have a more nuanced understanding of the world around them. This can provide you with more to say, sharpen your opinions, and increase your intelligence. All of this will develop your personality, making you stand out.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Read books in a variety of genres. Strive for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and other types of books.
- Make time to read every day. Find ways to incorporate reading in your daily schedule. If you have a long commute, for example, you can read on the train.
2
Engage in hobbies. Interesting people tend to have a lot going on. If you have more hobbies, passions, and interests, you will be more interesting for others. This will help you develop a unique personality.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Try something you've always been interested in, but have never done. Join a cooking or painting class. Sign up for a local sports team. Go hiking on the weekends.
- Trying new things will expand your horizon. This will give you more to talk about. You also may interact with others while trying new things, helping you develop your social skills.
Advertisement
3
Embrace learning. Learning should be a lifelong project. The most interesting people never stop learning. Always be on the lookout to learn more and improve your overall understanding of the world.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Read the news. Whether you read online news sources, magazines, or newspapers, understanding what's going on in the world can increase your understanding of it.
- Embrace learning at work. View every day on your job as an opportunity to learn a new skill or discover some personal insight.
- If you realize that you tend to have a more positive attitude towards work with certain partners, try to get assigned to projects with those same people to encourage your own learning.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Amy Wong
  Leadership & Transformational Coach
  Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.}
4
Be open to exploration. Having a variety of experiences can help you be more interesting. This can also develop your personality, making you stand out from others. Be open to exploring new things, whether new ideas, places, or experiences.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Try to go to a place you've never been before every week.
- Challenge yourself and your opinions. If you're interested in a particular topic, read a variety of opinions and insights about the subject.
- You can try volunteering for a unique project at work like making blog posts, if you want to stretch your creative muscles.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Amy Wong
  Leadership & Transformational Coach
  Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.}

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Developing Your Unique Self

1
Recognize your positive qualities. It's hard to completely revamp your personality. However, you can work on recognizing your best qualities. From there, you can find ways to make these qualities stand out more.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Write down all your positive qualities. Think about what you most like about yourself, and what others seem to like about you.
- Think of what ways you can make those qualities more apparent. How can you make something like a good sense of humor stand out? You can try making jokes more often. How can you make generosity stand out? You can always bring snacks or drinks to social events.
2
Develop opinions. Your opinions are what make you interesting. While you don't have to force your opinions on others, most people are drawn to those with strong opinions on a variety of topics. In order to stand out, work on considering your own opinions on a variety of issues.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Get more informed about the news. Spend some time reading up on current cultural events. In addition to reading the plain facts, read opinion pieces. See all sides of an issue so you can develop an informed opinion.
- Do not hide uncommon opinions. If your opinion on a matter differs from the norm, there's no need to conceal this. People will actually be more interested in non-conventional opinions. This can really help you stand out.
3
Do not hide your quirks. Many people strive to fit in by covering their quirks and odd qualities. In order to make your personality stand out, embrace yours. Think about the strange or unconventional things you do. Try to allow others to see these without a sense of shame.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- If you're just like everyone else, you're unlikely to stand out. Keep this in mind as you embrace your quirks. While most people may not, say, enjoy collecting old bottle caps, this is something that makes you interesting.
- Share your quirkiness with others. When people ask you about your hobbies and interests, open up. Do not hold back discussing your unique self, even if some of your hobbies and interests are not conventional.
- Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself even when you make mistakes. You're still a whole and complete individual who is secure in your inherent self-worth!^{[10]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Amy Wong
  Leadership & Transformational Coach
  Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.}
4
Accept feedback. You want to make sure you're coming off the right way. Many people stand out, but not always for positive reasons. As you work on developing your personality, always be open to feedback and criticism.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- If someone lets you know you're doing something to bother them or others, listen. Do not dismiss the feedback. While it's important to be unique, you don't want to hog attention. This can be alienating.
- If you get feedback, work on it right away. This will help keep your personality on the right track. You'll develop a unique, likable personality.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Engaging Socially

1
Recognize your unique role in the group. There are many ways to be an important member of a group, and you probably already have a natural role within the groups that you engage with. This role may not be someone who is at the center of attention at all times, but your role is important nonetheless. Think about your role when you are in a group and try to be proud of this contribution.
- For example, you might be the type of person who is quiet most of the time, but who says insightful or funny things whenever you do speak.
- Or, you might be the member of your group who others look to for direction or to keep everyone on track.
- Still another role might be as a supporter. You might be the one who encourages other people within your group and helps them to feel comfortable.
2
Express your opinions. Once you've developed your opinions, be assertive and express them. If you simply agree in arguments and discussions, you won't stand out from the crowd. Feel free to express your opinion when discussing issues like politics and current events. This will make people notice you more.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Remember to be respectful when voicing your opinion. You can stand out if you're argumentative, but it may not be in a positive manner.
- You can phrase your opinion by beginning with something like, "I see what you're saying, but I actually disagree."
- Remember that your needs and feelings matter. Work on being willing to express yourself to be more assertive. Also, remind yourself that it is okay to say “no.” Try to practice saying no in situations that are low stakes.^{[13]
  X
  Research source} For example, if a member of the group asks, “Does everyone like the idea of ordering pizza for lunch?” then you might say something like, “No, actually. I would like something light for lunch. Does the restaurant we are ordering from have salads?”
3
Have fun and use humor. People want to be around those who are fun. You don't necessarily have to be the life of every party, especially if it goes against your nature, but try to laugh and loosen up when out in public. This will make you stand out as a fun, interesting person to have around.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Try to go with the flow at social events. If the whole gang is going to a bar you're feeling so-so about, do not protest. You might have a good time.
- Allow your humor to come out. Crack jokes, even if they seem stupid or silly. You'll stand out from the crowd this way.
4
Talk about your interests. Never be shy about expressing your interests. If someone asks about your hobbies and passions, feel free to share. Even if someone doesn't necessarily know a lot about a particular interest of yours, if you're passionate about something you can make someone interested.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- Talk about interests that are unique to you. For example, maybe you're an expert on French history. Talk to someone about a new book about French history you're reading.
- Make sure, however, not to go overboard. Watch for social cues that someone is getting bored, such as them checking their phone or their eyes wandering.
5
Share your stories. If you've had a lot of unique, interesting experiences, feel free to share your stories. Others will love experiencing your life vicariously. Share amusing anecdotes, stories of travel, and other unique stories you have.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- However, make sure not to dominate the conversation. Only share stories that are relevant, and try to keep your conversations brief.

Expert Q&A

Question

What makes you stand out from the rest as a person?

Amy Wong
Leadership & Transformational Coach
Amy Eliza Wong is a Leadership and Transformational Coach and the Founder of Always on Purpose, a private practice for individuals and executives looking for help in increasing personal well-being and success and in transforming work cultures, developing leaders, and improving retention. With over 20 years of experience, Amy coaches one-on-one and conducts workshops and keynotes for businesses, medical practices, non-profits, and universities. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Amy is a regular instructor at Stanford Continuing Studies, holds an MA in Transpersonal Psychology from Sofia University, a certification in Transformational Life Coaching from Sofia University, and a certification in Conversational Intelligence from CreatingWE Institute.

Amy Wong

Leadership & Transformational Coach

Expert Answer

As a human being, you're unique and have things to contribute to the world because you have fears, memories, desires, talents, interests, and personality traits that nobody else shares.