Ever wondered what truly makes you tick, beyond the labels and learned behaviors? The latest “Running With Scissors” podcast episode pulls back the curtain on HumanOp Traits, the foundational layer of your unique human design. Wei and Brandon unpack what these traits are, why they’re named with such distinct language, and how understanding them is your first giant leap toward living a life that’s less like fumbling with scissors and more like wielding a finely tuned instrument.
Forget fleeting moods or preferences. HumanOp Traits are anchored in your physical reality – the characteristics that, barring extreme circumstances, change the least over your lifetime. Think of it as physics at play; Dr. Zanna Hackett’s groundbreaking technology is built on this stable foundation. For millennia, even before modern language, humans intuitively recognized these physical cues to understand compatibility and form communities. These traits aren’t just superficial; they’re the very bedrock of your natural potential, revealing distinct behavioral patterns linked to more pronounced physical characteristics – much like a race car’s design telegraphs its function.
This is a big one, especially in hiring and workplace dynamics. Wei tackles this head-on: the modern, negative spin on “discrimination” (which simply means ‘to distinguish’) is often a byproduct of language being used to steer us away from our natural, observational intelligence. Nature itself distinguishes – lions and zebras don’t mingle without reason. HumanOp’s approach is the opposite of prejudiced judgment; it’s about bringing back an honorable objectivity to recognize and celebrate the unique blueprint every single human possesses. When you truly see and accept your “what,” the charge around being “seen” by others dissolves.
Every human has potential access to seven fundamental trait categories, though the “volume” or prominence varies, creating your unique blend. These traits, visible in your HumanOp app, fall into three main functions: Seeing, Doing, or Processing.
- Seeing Traits:
- Regal: The panoramic, big-picture visionary; the natural-born leader type.
- Sympathetic: Sees situationally, like a protective “mama bear” assessing immediate surroundings.
- Doing Traits:
- Energetic: The A-to-B taskmaster, driven by efficiency and a strong sense of justice; the “crusader.”
- Romantic: Prefers to get things done more behind the scenes, a quieter but effective doer.
- Processing Traits:
- Absorptive: The archiver, soaking up information like a sponge for later use.
- Perceptive: Hyper-quick, agile, witty, and fantastic at spotting what’s not working; often impatient because they’re steps ahead.
- Effervescent: The fastest, most ethereal processor, not bound by gravity; ideas can be brilliant but fleeting (note-takers, unite!).
Mastering Your “Gears”: Recognizing and Shifting Traits for Optimal Flow
Think of these traits as different “gears” in the vehicle of your self. The HumanOp app highlights your top three, which usually dictate your natural daily rhythm. Mastery isn’t just about knowing these traits; it’s about recognizing which “gear” you’re in and learning to shift consciously to match the situation. This prevents energy drain and unnecessary friction – like avoiding being in your “Regal” leadership gear when someone else is clearly meant to lead the meeting.
There’s a natural, almost clockwise flow for shifting: Regal → Energetic → Absorptive → Romantic → Sympathetic → Perceptive → and back to Regal. Going against this flow (e.g., trying to jump from Energetic straight back to Regal) can be exhausting. The ace up your sleeve? The Effervescent trait. If it’s one of your authentic traits, it acts like a neutral “hub,” allowing you to jump from Effervescent to any other authentic trait, bypassing the longer sequence.
Your Personalized Playbook, Powered by HAi
The episode shares a cool example: Brandon asked HAi (HumanOp’s Authentic Intelligence) for one optimized activity he could do. HAi suggested hosting a brainstorming session, leveraging his Regal (natural leader) and Effervescent (light, engaging atmosphere) traits – something he’d instinctively done the day before with great results! This is the power of aligning with your design.
Your Actionable Prompt from This Episode:
Ready to put this into practice? Wei challenges listeners to: Go into your HumanOp app and ask HAi: “What are some activities that best utilize my top three traits?” Then, explore how you can consciously restructure your day – morning, noon, and night – to honor these dominant traits. It’s not about an overnight miracle (unless you’re very high Perceptive/Effervescent!), but a steady journey to more energy, motivation, and productivity.
Unlock your blueprint. Stop guessing. Start living optimally.
- Tune into the full “Traits” episode of “Running With Scissors” on your preferred podcast platform.
- If you haven’t yet, download the HumanOp app (link in show notes or search “HumanOp” in your app store) and get your results.
- Engage with HAi using the prompt above. Discover the profound shift that comes from understanding and living by your innate traits.
And here’s a bonus: Share a challenge you’re facing in the comments section wherever you’re listening. The HumanOp team will respond with a personalized prompt for HAi to help you tackle it! Next up: Motivational Drivers!
