In the workplace
There is no such thing as a weak link, all team members have different qualities and styles; the key is for leaders and managers to identify these. This is where DISC shines the light. It’s an incredibly insightful tool for highlighting strengths and areas for development. In DISC there is no such thing as a wrong answer or a bad result; it finds the best in you, that you may have even struggled to recognise in yourself. If you see your self as the ‘weak link’, DISC will help you identify why. It could be as simple as you just aren’t suited to that role and would be happier and more productive doing something else.
As an individual, it really challenges you to look at how natural you are in your role and what skills you have that can be maximised. This gives you an opportunity to develop certain skills, or even just know that you are exactly where you’re meant to be. Either way, it helps you recognise why some things come really easy, and some perhaps a little more challenging. It can also flag up why there are some things you’d rather avoid doing at all costs. We all do that sometimes, don’t we, put things off to the last minute because we really just don’t want to do them? Somewhere in the 17 pages of that comprehensive DISC report, you’re likely to find out why!
In a team, it gives you a window into understanding your colleagues ‘style’ and preferences on a deeper level. Whether it’s a large corporation or small family-run business, team members can then be encouraged to accept one another’s differences and play to one another’s strengths – that’s how brilliant teams are created and strong dynamics formed. It’s amazing how much more tolerant we can be of one another when we understand those differences. In fact, we can then begin to understand how compatible each of our styles can be and without these style variations, teams rarely reach their absolute potential.
From a leadership point of view, you know that with time most skills can be learnt, but ultimately, knowing each team member’s ‘style’ and strengths, so that you can harness that and place them well within the team’s structure, is key to the dynamics and flow, with time saved on trying to place a square peg in a round hole. Creating a culture of support and mentoring encourages a deeper understanding, rapport and subsequently, a wonderful sense of team spirit and obligation. DISC gives you the advantage of understanding how your individual team members should ideally be communicated with to draw out their best and support their efforts.
In personal relationships
Have you ever looked at your partner and thought, “I may as well be speaking another language!”
Working each other out in relationships takes time, energy and curiosity. DISC is like an extension of your curiosity, except it draws stuff out that might otherwise have taken years to discover.
We all have preferences when it comes to communicating and expressing ourselves. Some of us are more dominant and decisive, choosing partners who are less so; whilst some of us like to listen and lead, but let others make the decisions! Understanding the fundamental personality style of your partner through the DISC report gives you the most brilliant insight to their various personas and what they’re like in a crisis!
It can improve the way you communicate with one another, help you understand the importance of how to get that message across so they really hear you, and help you understand what makes them tick – a good book or a night out!!
For more information on DISC Personality Profiling, book an informal, non-obligatory chat with me and I’ll explain why I am so passionate about it and how it might help you.
DISC shines a light on why we gravitate towards some people and steer clear of others. It’s a brilliant tool, not only in the workplace but in all relationships. Want to know more?
