Character Trait: Cooperative

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait cooperative refers to the ability of a person to work with others towards a common goal. It involves being willing to listen to others' ideas, being open to feedback and criticism, and actively contributing to the group's efforts. A cooperative person understands the importance of teamwork and is willing to compromise and make sacrifices for the greater good of the team. They value collaboration and recognize that everyone has unique strengths and weaknesses that can be leveraged to achieve a common goal.

Possible causes of being cooperative

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Believing in the power of diversity and inclusivity
• Experiencing the benefits of cooperation and collaboration in personal or professional relationships
• Being exposed to positive role models who prioritize teamwork and cooperation
• Having a growth mindset and being open to learning from others
• Growing up in a supportive and collaborative family environment
• Valuing open communication and active listening
• Being motivated by a shared goal or purpose
• Prioritizing fairness and equity
• Developing empathy and a desire to help others

For detailed feedback on cooperative characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's literary analysis software.

Behaviors associated with being cooperative

You may be able to show your character's trait of cooperative by using these.

• Being open to feedback and constructive criticism
• Communicating clearly and effectively to avoid misunderstandings
• Encouraging teamwork and collaboration
• Avoiding blame and taking responsibility for one's own mistakes
• Offering help and support to teammates or colleagues
• Considering other people's opinions and perspectives
• Being willing to compromise and find common ground
• Actively listening to others
• Being respectful of others' time and priorities

Attitudes associated with being cooperative

You may be able to show cooperative through their attitudes.

• Patience and empathy in dealing with others' challenges or limitations
• Willingness to compromise or negotiate to find mutually beneficial solutions
• Trust in others' abilities and intentions
• Flexibility in adapting to others' needs and preferences
• Willingness to work with others towards a common goal
• Openness to feedback and suggestions from others
• Respect for others' opinions and perspectives

Thoughts and struggles associated with being cooperative

Here are some ideas for things your cooperative character may think or struggle with.

• They may worry about being seen as selfish or unhelpful if they prioritize their own needs over others.
• They may feel guilty or ashamed if they can't fulfill a request or meet someone's expectations.
• They may feel a sense of fulfillment and purpose from helping others, but may also feel drained or overwhelmed if they overextend themselves.
• They may struggle with asserting themselves and speaking up for their own ideas and opinions, especially if they fear conflict or upsetting others.
• They may feel frustrated or resentful if they feel like they are always the one doing the work or making compromises in a group setting.
• They may have difficulty saying no, even when it would be in their best interest to do so.
• A cooperative character may struggle with the desire to please others and make everyone happy, even if it means sacrificing their own needs or desires.

Emotions associated with being cooperative

Here are some ideas for emotions your cooperative character may experience.

• Desire to help others
• Willingness to collaborate
• Willingness to follow through on commitments
• Positive attitude towards teamwork
• Ability to compromise
• Respect for others' opinions
• Readiness to share resources
• Eagerness to learn from others
• Openness to feedback

Facial expressions associated with being cooperative

Here are some facial expressions your cooperative character may exhibit.

• A non-threatening posture, such as leaning forward slightly
• A relaxed and open facial expression
• A slight tilt of the head
• Eye contact
• Nodding in agreement
• Raised eyebrows to show interest
• A genuine smile

Body language associated with being cooperative

Here is some body language your cooperative character may exhibit.

• Displaying a willingness to listen and consider other viewpoints
• Nodding in agreement or understanding
• Making eye contact
• Smiling or showing other positive facial expressions
• Offering assistance or support
• Using open and relaxed gestures
• Avoiding defensive or confrontational body language such as crossed arms or tense posture
• Leaning towards the person or group being addressed

For detailed feedback on cooperative characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's literary analysis software.

Behaviors associated with being cooperative

Here are some behaviors your cooperative character may exhibit.

• Actively listening to others
• Being open to feedback and constructive criticism
• Communicating clearly and effectively to avoid misunderstandings
• Being respectful of others' time and priorities
• Considering other people's opinions and perspectives
• Encouraging teamwork and collaboration
• Being willing to compromise and find common ground
• Avoiding blame and taking responsibility for one's own mistakes
• Offering help and support to teammates or colleagues

Growth and evolution of cooperative characters

Here are some ways that your cooperative character may grow and evolve over time.

• Overcome their own ego and focus on the success of the team rather than personal gain
• Learn to compromise and find solutions that benefit the group as a whole
• Learn to trust and rely on the strengths and abilities of their teammates
• Become more open-minded and willing to listen to the ideas and perspectives of others
• Develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diverse perspectives and experiences of others
• Develop stronger communication skills to effectively work with others towards a common goal
• Become a strong leader who is able to motivate and inspire others to work together effectively

Stereotypes of cooperative characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical cooperative character like these examples.

• Being too passive or submissive
• Being too dependent on others for decision-making or problem-solving
• Being too eager to please others at the expense of their own well-being
• Being too selfless or lacking personal goals and ambitions
• Being too agreeable or lacking the ability to voice their own opinions or ideas
• Being overly accommodating or self-sacrificing to the point of being unrealistic
• Being too trusting or naive, leading to being taken advantage of
• Being too idealistic or optimistic, leading to unrealistic expectations of others
• Lacking assertiveness or confidence

Negatives of being cooperative

Here are some potential negatives of being cooperative. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Overly cooperative individuals may struggle to assert themselves or speak up when necessary.
• Being cooperative can be mistaken for being a pushover or lacking confidence.
• Being too cooperative can make you seem indecisive or weak-willed.
• Cooperating with others may mean compromising your own needs or desires.

Positives of being cooperative

Here are some potential positives of being cooperative. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Cooperative people are great team players
• They are reliable and responsible in their commitments
• They are supportive and encouraging of their peers
• They are respectful and courteous to others
• They are good listeners and value other people's opinions
• They are effective problem-solvers and can find solutions that work for everyone
• They are open-minded and willing to compromise
• They are adaptable and can work well in different situations and with different personalities

Verbal expressions of cooperative characters

Here are some potential expressions used by cooperative characters.

• "I'm happy to help with that."
• "I appreciate your input, let's consider it."
• "How can we compromise to meet everyone's needs?"
• "I'm open to hearing your ideas."
• "What can I do to support you?"
• "Let's communicate effectively to achieve our common goal."
• "Let's work together to find a solution."
• "I'm willing to adjust my approach to better fit the team's needs."

Relationships of cooperative characters

Here are some ways that being cooperative could affect your character's relationships.

• They may be seen as peacemakers or mediators in conflicts, seeking to find solutions that work for everyone involved.
• They are often good listeners, valuing the perspectives and input of others.
• They value trust and honesty in relationships, and may be more likely to open up and share their own thoughts and feelings in order to build deeper connections with others.
• Cooperative people tend to be collaborative and team-oriented, seeking to work together with others towards a common goal.
• Cooperative people are often willing to compromise and make concessions in order to find mutually beneficial solutions.
• They may prioritize the needs and well-being of others over their own, sometimes to their own detriment.
• Cooperative people tend to be empathetic and understanding, seeking to find common ground and build bridges between people.

Examples from books of characters who are cooperative

• Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
• Hazel Grace Lancaster from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Charlotte A. Cavatica from Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
• Winnie-the-Pooh from the Winnie-the-Pooh series by A.A. Milne
• Ron Weasley from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Writing exercises for writing cooperative characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write cooperative characters.

• Create a scenario where your character sacrifices their own goals or desires for the greater good of their community or team.
• Have your character collaborate with others to achieve a common goal, rather than insisting on doing everything alone.
• Write a conversation where your character suggests compromises or alternative solutions to a conflict, rather than insisting on their own way.
• Write a scene where your character expresses genuine gratitude and appreciation for someone else's contributions or efforts.
• Show your character actively listening and considering others' opinions before making a decision.
• Show your character displaying patience and understanding towards someone who may be difficult to work with.
• Write a scene where your character willingly helps someone in need, without expecting anything in return.