To DiSC or Not To DiSC

"I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort where we overlap."  Ani Defranco, American singer, songwriter

One question that comes up quite often is, "Now that I'm learning about differences in behavior style, do I need to do a guess at their DiSC style with everyone I meet?" 

Good question ... in most interactions, we are so focused on the message we are giving or receiving and what we have to do with the information that it is already too much sometimes. 

How about keeping things simple? If you are already in rapport, in sync, in alignment with the other person, you are probably paying attention on the unconscious level to how that person prefers to communicate and you are automatically adapting. Or they may have a similar preferences to yours. It is when the communication does not feel clear and easy that the DiSC Model can come to the rescue. 

By observing the distinctions regarding task-oriented and people-oriented you can begin to align your style with theirs. (See the previous blog post.)

When a person who scores high on I-Influencing works with a person who is very high on C-Compliance, he needs to slow down and pay attention to the details of the task. Vice versa - when the C needs to have a positive relationship with the I, she needs to warm up a little and start with the big picture before delving into details. 

The D-Dominant preference needs to warm up and relax a little to establish rapport with the I's and S's, and to have some understanding that C's will have far more detail than is needed by the D and that the S's will do anything they can to get the job done, if you just ask nicely.

So the answer to the question "to DiSC or not to DiSC?" is Yes! Just a little attention to what the other person prefers or needs will save time and energy and opportunities.

Take Charge -- Get Moving!

Love and light,

Diane

DiSC and The Law of Requisite Variety

My client, Jack, is a busy manager who recently took the DiSC assessment as part of his coaching program. He liked the DiSC Model and said that he learned a lot about what makes people tick, but asked, “So what do I do with it now? Why should I put any more effort into applying it?”

How about this – More Power!

Do you want to be in control of your interactions with others? Here’s a way to do just that!


There is a body of knowledge called Neuro-Linguistic Programming -- also known as NLP and Neurolinguistics. NLP studies the structure of how humans think and experience the world, and is based on the presupposition that all behavior has a structure which can be modeled, learned, taught, and changed (re-programmed).

One principle of NLP applies well to how we use the DiSC model. The Law of Requisite Variety states that the one with the most flexibility of behavior will control the entire system, including communication. Have you ever noticed a child in the grocery store asking for cookies, candy, toys, etc.? If one behavior and request doesn’t do the job, he will try many other behaviors with lots of flexibility = controlling mom and getting the result.

“So just by adjusting to the other person’s preferences, I get to be in charge?” Jack asked. Right -- Two simple comparisons will help you to adjust your communication style to that of the other person.

1. Are they Direct/outgoing or are they Reserved?

2. Are they more Task-oriented or more People-oriented?

From those two observations, you can narrow their style to 

• Dominant = Direct, Task-oriented; 
• Influential = Direct, People-oriented; 
• Steady = Reserved, People-oriented; 
• Compliant = Reserved, Task-oriented. 

By starting your interaction where THEY are, you establish rapport, eliminate barriers/walls, and build a relationship that supports getting to a desired result. My challenge to you is that you become a Master of The Law of Requisite Variety.

Take Charge -- Get Moving!

Love and light,

Diane 

Communication is a "fat" word

People are different ... duh! When we engage in "communication", we often forget that basic fact and charge ahead in our own style and paradigm of the world. Personality and behavioral preferences affect how and why we communicate the way we do. The word, communication, has as many meanings as there are people using it -- it is a "fat" word.


My favorite tool for clarifying and improving communication behaviors with clients and teams is the DiSC assessment. By making 24 simple selections on the assessment, we get a fairly comprehensive report on our own behavioral and communication preferences and information about how others are different. Aha! So that's the reason for some of the misfires and clashes we've had in the past. THEY communicate differently, have different expectations, and a different  view of the world. 


Is this assessment perfect? Some people say that this kind of inquiry has flaws, and they are correct. However, if I understand how my style differs from others I work/play with, I have a choice of being flexible in order to establish Rapport and a sense of understanding much more quickly. In effect, I can improve my communication effectiveness.


In the next few posts, I'll give you some basics that will help you to review your own DiSC assessment. You can find several sources online, free or for a small fee. You may find as one client recently said, "I wish I had known this 10 years ago!"


Take charge - Get Moving!


Love and light,
Diane