The DISC Differences

The tool of DISC will dramatically help you relate to people. By understanding we all have a different way of viewing life, you then can relate to them accordingly. When you realize that a High "D" person is on task, doesn't like interruptions, wants a quick moving environment where there is very little small talk, you realize you'd better be brief and to the point, and no small talk. And, at the end of the day, he values how much was done. On the other hand, if you have a staff member that is High "S" they prefer a low-keyed environment where they feel safe, having their day filled with sincere appreciation and just BEING around people. They desire minimal surprises, change, or quick moving and thinking decisions. At the end of their day they value how comfortable, relaxed, and easy the day went. Then you have the High "I" where fun and excitement are his/her agenda. They love change, and see people as their audience. If there isn't a party in the making, their very presence brings one. With gregarious over-dramatization, they love life, and don't want to miss out on anything, it might be fun. At the end of their day, they value how many new, fun, exciting things they were a part of, not to mention all the new best friends they made. And, they may have only gone to the drinking fountain, or gas station to find them. On the other end of the spectrum, the High "C" person may be found in the back room only to emerge when absolutely necessary. Being alone allows them to pursue their favorite tasks such as: thinking, planning, preparing, or evaluating. Their day is filled with problem solving, creating, planning, double checking, and reassessing the most minute detail. The order in their office is astounding to the rest of us. Everything has a place, and everything is actually in its place. Because they are motivated by the desire for perfection, making plans is a task that can be daunting to them. "Be prepared" is their mantra. At the end of the day, they evaluate their checklist to see what they've missed.

Can you see from the examples above how each person needs to be approached differently? Because there is no right or wrong behavioral style, just different, we can become much more effective when we not only know the differences in our styles, but learn to adapt to their various differences. This will help us to be successful in all our dealings with people.

Sue Porter

The DISC Differences In Us All

Understanding the tool of DISC will dramatically help you to relate to people by understanding we all have a different way of viewing life. When you realize that a High "D" person is on task, doesn't like interruptions, wants a quick moving environment where there is very little small talk, and at that at the end of the day he values how much got done, you then can relate to him accordingly. On the other hand, if you have a staff member that is High "S" they prefer a low-keyed environment where they feel safe, having their day filled with just being with people that does not comprise of surprises, change, or quick moving and thinking decisions. At the end of their day they value how comfortable, relaxed, and easy the day went. Then you have the High "I" where fun and excitement are his/her agenda. They love change, and see people as their audience to entertain. If there isn't a party in the making, they make one happen just by their very presence. With a gregarious over dramatization, they love life and don't want to miss a thing. At the end of their day, they value how many new, fun, exciting things they were a part of, not to mention all the new best friends they made. And they may have only gone to the drinking fountain to find them. The High "C" person may be found in the back room only emerging if absolutely necessary. Being alone allows them to pursue their favorite tasks, thinking, planning, preparing, evaluating. Their day is filled with problem solving, creating, planning, double checking, and reassessing every little minute detail. The order in their office may confound us all. Everything has a place, and everything is actually in it's place. Because they are motivated by the desire for perfection, making plans is a task that can be daunting. Plan and be prepared is their motto. At the end of the day they go through their check list to see what they've missed. Not wanting to make waves, or enter into conflict in any way, sort, or form, they may have avoided contact with people all day.

Can you see in the examples above how each person needs to be approached differently? Because there is no right or wrong behavioral style, just different, we can become much more effective when we not only know the differences in our styles, but then learn to adapt to their bent, will cause us to be successful in all our dealings with each and every person we come into contact with.

Let me give you an example. I wanted to learn more about the rules of blogging, so I asked my son if there was any particular on-line etiquette I could find. Being High "C" he told me to just go to as many blogs as I could and after reading them I would be able to know what is expected of me. Being High "D" my response was, "I just want the rules, I don't want to have to figure them out. You see, he values the thought process involved. So, upon that, he provided me with three articles that gave me the bottome line, what all High "D"'s value most. Thank you son, I appreciate your help!

DiSC It Can Take You From Good to GREAT

DiSC is a tool that can be used to understand our differences. It will show you:

• A persons strengths and weaknesses.
• How to capitalize on those strengths.
• What motivates and de-motivates a person
  
• What environment they work best in.
• How they lead and how they like to lead.
• What role they prefer to take in a group setting
  
• How they communicate.
  
• How to foster teamwork.
• How to communicate so the person you're with can hear you.
• How to reduce conflict and stress.
• The best behavioral style for a particular work position.

I just conducted a full/fun day seminar for the executive staff of a resort in Tucson, see Dynamic Personal Development for more on this seminar. The first half of the day was used to understand the DiSC model. Although understanding is only half the battle, where the rubber meets the road is using this tool to create cooperation and to strengthen their work relationships. The stories that will be listed in some of the comments of this blog during the months of June and July are how they are using their new knowledge of DiSC.