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Here’s how you can figure out someone’s personality without them saying a single word. It’s called the Locus of Identity – and it reveals what truly drives someone’s decisions and happiness. Let me break it down with a simple analogy. Imagine two toy boxes. One is filled with toys you picked yourself – your favorites. The other is filled with toys that your parents, friends, or society said you should play with. Now ask yourself: Which box would make you happier? If it’s the box you chose, congratulations – your Locus of Identity is internal. That means you don’t rely heavily on external validation. You find satisfaction in your own decisions, values, and authenticity. But if you’d be happier with the toys others picked, your Locus of Identity is external. This means your sense of worth is tied to how others see you. Now here’s the twist. Let’s say you know someone who keeps upgrading to the latest iPhone – even when they can’t really afford it. They’re not doing it for functionality. They’re doing it because other people will perceive them as successful or trendy. This is a classic external locus. And recognizing this is a superpower in business, leadership, and relationships. Because once you know what motivates someone, you know exactly how to inspire them, manage them, sell to them, or even protect yourself from their influence. Here’s an actionable way to use this: Next time you're hiring, pitching, or even choosing a co-founder – ask them: “What achievement are you most proud of, and why?” Then listen carefully. If their answer is rooted in personal growth, grit, or learning → internal locus. If it’s about how others reacted, how big the applause was, or external status → external locus. This single insight could save you from months of misalignment. And if you’re curious to learn more mind-opening frameworks around business, startups, and growth, subscribe to our newsletter. Link in the comment.