DISC profiling.
Build stronger communication in your workplace by understanding the communication preferences of each team member so that they become a more valuable employee, manager, and team member (person, partner, friend).
When we learn how to communicate in a way that works for others, we bring new value, buy-in, and effectiveness into the relationship.
The first step to building stronger communication is awareness.
By identifying how we are similar and different, we can make cognitive choices when interacting to create stronger, more engaged relationships.
Understanding your own behavioral style is just the first step to enhancing relationships. To really begin to use the power of behavioral styles, you also need to know how to apply the information to other people and in other situations.
Realize that people are different in their approach to problems and challenges, with their interactions, to the pace of the environment, and in their need for compliance, rules, and policies.
WHAT IS DISC?
DISC is a simple, practical, easy to remember, and universally applicable model. It focuses on individual patterns of external, observable behaviors.
• DISC is: needs-motivated, observable behavior and emotion. It is a combination of nature (inherent) and nurture (learned).
• DISC is NOT: a measure of intelligence, skills, education or experience, or an indicator of values.
Businesses, organisations and educational institutes use DISC to grow and develop individuals and teams to ensure they are effective when working together, fulfil their potential for the business and are productive.
DISC Behavioural Styles:
The DISC profile includes four components, devised by psychologist Dr. William Moulton Marston as a tool to measure behavioral styles.. It helps an individual understand his/her own motivations better, what level of stress is constructive for them, what are the conflict resolution styles and problem solving techniques that fit well. It also helps one understand the behavioral patterns of those whom we deal with in business world in day to day life.
The DISC profile four components
1. Dominance (DISC)
Confidence is the key trait in such a person falling in this category. A strong emphasis on achievement of results and goal orientation are the common practices of these individuals. They can be straightforward and blunt, open towards diversity, and adventurous by nature accepting any challenging situation coming their way with aplomb.
2. Influence (DISC)
These individuals are said to be great leaders. They influence others and take charge of situations but they take along everyone with them. Relationship oriented and persuasive by nature, these people are very collaborative and see the brighter picture in any situation.
3. Steadiness (DISC)
Individuals falling in this category are persistent in behavior. They don’t like to be rushed or pushed beyond limits as they exhibit a calm demeanor. They emphasize on cooperation, and to a certain extent, they do adjust with unusual circumstances, dealing with things in a subtle manner. They are very supportive with their colleagues and subordinates and are humble and down to earth.
4. Conscientiousness (DISC)
The name says it all; these individuals are focused on accuracy and quality of work produced along with emphases on their competencies. They enjoy being trusted and given responsibility as it means for them independence and also, they are detail-oriented individuals with sound reasoning and expertise. They are perfectionists who dread being wrong.
Benefits of Learning and Applying DISC:
In the workplace, people are our greatest asset and can also be our greatest challenge.
DISC Assessment and Reports make it easy to identify and understand our own style, recognize others and cognitively adapt to different styles, and develop a process to communicate more effectively with others.
We can consciously decide to apply what we learn. It won’t always be easy, and it will take practice, but with some effort, we can choose to adapt to others for better communication.
DISC profiles are very easy to understand, enabling people to:
· Understand how and why you react in certain ways to different people in your workplace.
· Learn more about the needs of the people you work with.
· Identify what your strengths are and ensure you are working to your full potential.
· Know what motivates you, what causes stress, and how to solve problems.
· Learn how to adapt your own behaviours to be more effective working with others.
· Improve communication, relationships, and teamwork.
· Put the right person in the right role which reduces your employment and training costs.
The financial benefits to your business:
- Improve Hiring & Selection
The right person in the right job is priceless. The wrong one is a nightmare waiting to happen. Accurately identify job applicants BEFORE the interview, make scientifically informed judgments and build an organization of A+ employees.
- Increase Sales:
Teach your sales team powerful behaviour profiling skills. Empower them to identify— to your organization’s advantage— observable behaviours, then adapt their selling style to fit the customer’s buying style.
- Improve Customer Service
Know in advance that your people believe in your organization and care about your customers. Better equip and train your customer support team with the invaluable communication and behaviour profiling skills that pay countless dividends.
- Increase Productivity
Identify with scientific accuracy the strengths and shortcomings of each employee. Create observable action plans, from the data, that maximizes your organization’s talent.
Reduce Employee Turnover
Ensure the best possible positional job “ft” for each new hire. Great fit means stronger retention rates, which lowers the costs associated with turnover.
- Customize Employee Training
One size fits ONE, not all. Learn how each person learns best and get them back to productivity sooner.
Model Team Building
Know who fts with whom in advance. Create your teams based on compatible skills and traits, not just generic ideas of balance. Top-level teams are comprised of behaviourally compatible members with an optimal array of complimenting proficiencies.
People generally make the mistake of assuming that others interact and think the same way they do, and many of us grew up believing in The Golden Rule: treat others the way you would like to be treated. Instead, we encourage another practical rule to live by - what Dr. Tony Alessandra calls The Platinum Rule®: to treat others the way THEY want to be treated. Good relationships can get better and challenging relationships may become good. It is important to remember that adapting our styles is not always easy! It may take some time, feel very difficult, or seem especially foreign in certain situations. Give it time, practice, patience, and diligence and you will see relationship benefits.
All styles have specific fears; people are motivated to avoid their fears. Understanding the fears of the different styles helps in understanding why people behave as they do. People want to be treated according to their behavioral style, not yours.
DISC is the leading personal assessment tool used by over 40 million people worldwide to improve workplace relationships, teamwork and communication.
As a highly factual, non-judgmental tool, DISC can help individuals and teams discuss their behavioural differences and develop effective strategies to work together.
People who have used DISC have seen improved communication, team dynamics and developed more positive workplace relationships.
Many of the world's top coaches and Fortune 500s rely on DISC assessments to ensure positive outcomes in the areas of employee selection, leadership development, sales & customer service training, team-building, communication & collaboration training, conflict resolution, and succession planning.
It is for this reason, and many more, that I recommend DISC profiling and my DISC Communication & Team Building workshops to all my clients.