Just got a big promotion at work? Ready to give yourself a big pat on the back? You might want to hold up - and thank your husband or wife first. That’s according to Brittany Solomon, an assistant research professor at the University of Notre Dame and the co-author of a study that found that who we marry can have a big influence on our careers, as long as that person has one important trait...
Three Takeaways:
- Solomon’s study tested five different personality traits - extroversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, conscientiousness and openness - and found that only conscientious partners have positive effects on their spouse’s careers.
- Solomon says that having some conscientious by your side - a person who’s highly organized, reliable, industrious and has good self-control - allows you to save energy by sharing tasks like household chores and finances. This frees up time - and energy - to focus on your career.
- A more conscientious spouse does not necessarily mean a stay-at-home wife or husband, according to Solomon’s research. People with partners who do not work tend to make more money, but have similar levels of job satisfaction and likelihood of promotion as their dual-income counterparts.
More Reading:
- The Washington Post’s take on Brittany Solomon’s study.
- Harvard Business Review looks at how two-career couples stay together.
- The Atlantic asks what’s more important: relationships or ambition?
