People who demonstrate excellent judgment have these 12 traits

How sound is your judgment?

A woman in a red dress with a white collar stands thoughtfully against a green paneled background. She rests her chin on her hand and gazes upward, appearing contemplative.

People like to think they have good judgment—that they make good decisions and can tell straight away whether someone is genuine and trustworthy or malicious and deceitful. But to be a good judge of situations and of character, you need to have the following traits in abundance.

1. Open-mindedness.

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Excellent judgment requires understanding. And you can’t understand well if you don’t approach situations with open-mindedness. You must be willing to hear different perspectives and learn from them where appropriate so that you can develop informed opinions. That applies to social situations just as much as any other.

2. Critical thinking.

A man with short brown hair and a beard, wearing a dark jacket, sits on wooden steps with his elbows resting on his knees and his hands clasped in front of his face, appearing deep in thought. The background features wooden railings and a blurred natural setting.

A person with good judgment is able to evaluate information, question assumptions, and analyze facts before drawing conclusions. They leave emotion or bias out of their thinking, instead focusing more on logic and verifiable evidence. They generally don’t take one person’s word on the matter as the sole truth, or even as the truth full stop if the facts don’t back it up.

3. Self-awareness.

A woman with wavy brown hair wearing red glasses and a gray watch rests her chin on her hand and gazes thoughtfully to the side. She is dressed in a black blazer with a blurred background, suggesting an indoor setting.

Self-awareness matters because we are all flawed people doing the best we can. A person with excellent judgment understands that they have strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and biases. A self-aware person recognizes the influence these things can have on their thinking when evaluating their decisions.

4. Emotional intelligence.

A young woman with blonde hair and a white shirt is smiling while engaged in conversation with two people whose backs are facing the camera. The setting appears to be a casual indoor environment.

They are able to understand the emotions of others and manage their own emotions effectively. Emotional intelligence helps them remain calm under pressure and navigate complex social situations where one must exercise good judgment. The wrong decision can make things much worse.

5. Patience.

A man wearing glasses and a red and blue checkered shirt sits at a desk, holding a pen in his hand. He appears thoughtful and is looking slightly to the side. The background shows large windows with a blurred cityscape view.

It takes time to gather and assess information before making decisions. Good judgment requires a measured approach rather than impulsive action. Impulsive action leads to sloppy, easily avoidable mistakes because you didn’t spend the time to gather all the necessary information.

6. Decisiveness.

A woman with wavy brown hair and a serious expression is looking directly at the camera. She is wearing a dark-colored blazer. The background is blurred, highlighting the focus on her face.

While patient, a person with good judgment knows when it’s time to act. Once they’ve gathered and evaluated an appropriate amount of information, they make a decision and don’t hesitate to move forward. They also understand that even if they make a mistake, they can find a solution once the mistake is encountered.

7. Humility.

A man with short hair and a beard stands against a brick wall, smiling. He is wearing a plaid shirt and has his arms crossed. The background features a row of brick buildings with windows and doors. The scene is outdoors and bright.

They recognize that they do not have all the answers. Everyone is fallible yet everyone has something to contribute. However, everyone gets things wrong from time to time. They can admit when they are wrong. Furthermore, they remain open to advice and feedback from others to improve.

8. Empathy.

Two women sit on a brown couch having a serious conversation. The woman on the left, in a light purple dress, looks concerned with her hand on her head. The woman on the right, in a grey dress, holds her hand in a comforting gesture.

They know that their decisions affect other people. A person with excellent judgment takes the time to consider how their decisions are going to affect the people around them. By putting themselves in other people’s shoes, they can better make decisions that are fair and compassionate.

9. Integrity.

A middle-aged man with short dark hair and a beard smiles warmly at the camera. He is wearing a black clerical shirt with a white collar. The background is softly blurred, featuring bright, natural light coming through windows.

Their decisions align with their values and principles. Even when it is difficult, they are honest and strive to do what is right. Integrity matters because once your integrity is questioned, then no one can be sure what your moral compass is to base your judgments on. People then question your authenticity.

10. Curiosity.

A woman with long hair and a nose piercing, wearing a denim jacket, looks through a large telescope during sunset. A crescent moon is visible in the sky. An out-of-focus house and trees are seen in the background.

The constant search for knowledge helps them make better decisions. Excellent judgment needs a strong desire to learn and understand the world around them. There are always more tools to add to one’s toolbox. The more you add, the better judgment you will have.

11. Adaptability.

A bald man with a short beard smiles at the camera in an outdoor setting. The background shows a sunlit landscape with distant hills and a clear sky.

Circumstances change. When they change, a person with excellent judgment will change with them because they understand they may otherwise get left behind. Clinging to a mistake or a method that doesn’t work is more painful for everyone, particularly since you’ll need to change in the future anyway.

12. Long-term thinking.

A woman wearing a black hat and white button-up shirt is looking off to the side against a dark background. She has red lipstick and a serious expression. The lighting highlights her facial features, casting soft shadows.

They consider the long-term consequences of their decisions. Short-term gains are nice, but they aren’t always what’s best when you think in the long term. Every long-term goal is composed of meeting many short-term goals. Understanding that helps them make choices that are beneficial over time instead of immediately gratifying.