A few days ago, a friend told me he was looking for people for his company. They should perform sales functions. The profile or requirements that candidates should meet, in addition to the attitudes and abilities specific to their job, were primarily those that required being a “good person.” This made me reflect on the characteristics that this type of person should possess.

To compare my criteria and see what the people around me think about this, I sent a message asking them in one or two lines to tell me: “What is meant by a good person?“ I have received more than 50 responses from all kinds of people of different ages, professions, young and old, with faith, agnostics, and atheists.

It is not easy to briefly explain the answers to the question we are asking, but we can indicate some characteristics that, in my opinion, they should possess and that mostly coincide with the answers I have received.

A good person always desires and seeks the good of others and acts accordingly. They respect the person they help and their freedom. They do not seek personal gain; they are generous, grateful, compassionate, kind, and humble. Likewise, they avoid anything that could cause rivalry and tension among others. “A good person must be a person of integrity,” who has moral criteria, consciously avoids harming or injuring others. If they realize something has upset or harmed others, they know how to apologize and rectify it.

Some answers quote famous people who have stood out for their generosity, dedication, and heroism, such as Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Gandhi, or Martin Luther King. In them, we discover a sense of purpose in their lives serving the poorest, the oppressed, or the discriminated against. In short, they value the dignity of the person, their freedom, and their rights.

I would also emphasize that they greatly value friendship and are consistent and faithful to their commitments. They don’t tend to speak ill of anyone; they find the positive in every person or situation; they are optimistic, straightforward, and hardworking. They are good listeners and inspire confidence by being sincere and consistent.

Being a good person depends on character, and they must possess values ​​and virtues. They tend to be smiling, serene, and not easily upset, creating a welcoming and friendly environment.

You never become a completely good person; you always have to strive to improve and have a clear sense of purpose in life. Who, in your opinion, is a good person?