Durand on Demand

Conscientiousness: The #1 Indicator of Success

Dave Durand

In this episode of Durand on Demand, Dave explains why one personality trait consistently outpaces talent, intellect, and even charisma as the leading indicator of long-term success: conscientiousness.

Being conscientious doesn’t just mean being neat or organized — it’s about reliability, self-mastery, and the discipline to follow through. Dave unpacks how this trait impacts relationships, careers, and leadership, why it’s so difficult to be around people who lack it, and why those who choose conscientious behavior despite natural inclinations demonstrate the highest level of virtue.

Along the way, he highlights the critical difference between making judgments and being judgmental, shows how empathy functions as a leadership “superpower,” and uses real-life examples (from temperaments to traffic jams) to illustrate how virtue transforms raw temperament into trustworthy leadership.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why conscientiousness is the #1 indicator of career and relationship success
  • The difference between judgment and judgmentalism in leadership
  • How empathy helps you understand without excusing errors
  • Why acting against your natural temperament is a mark of high virtue
  • The hidden motivators that drive conscientious people to act

This episode is both practical and challenging — a reminder that true success doesn’t come from talent alone, but from the discipline to be reliable, virtuous, and consistent.