DiSC as a Tool, not a Test!

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Click here to view and download this month’s worksheet to utilize on your own or with a Group and/or Team over the next 12 months.

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“IQ, personality, and EQ are distinct qualities we all possess. 
Together, they determine how we think and act.” 

Emotional Intelligence 2.0


The first step in developing self-awareness is to cultivate a deep understanding and knowing of oneself. If we are to be effective in developing others, we believe it begins with developing ourselves which means increasing our self-awareness.

During February and March 2023, we will explore the DiSC Communication Profile as the first of four tools we will examine together throughout the year. The DiSC Communication Profile is a tool we administer to gain insight into an individuals preferred communication style. 

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 authors Bradberry and Greaves state, “the more we interact with empathetic people, the more empathetic we become.” DiSC is a tool that provides insight into how our IQ, personality, and EQ manifest themselves as we as humans interact and engage in a communication transaction. DiSC can be a very helpful means to gaining self-awareness which leads to being and becoming more empathetic.

First and foremost, we believe each person is wired the way they are wired for a good purpose. There are no mistakes or accidents when it comes to the value each person brings, their unique characteristics, approach, style, and yes, personality!

If you prefer to use the DiSC Communication Profile as a personality tool, your approach is respected and appreciated. I/we have simply found DiSC to be used most effectively as a communication tool rather than a personality description or test.

We differentiate DiSC as a Communication Profile versus a Personality Assessment as follows:

  • Behavior is a conscious decision to act or to not act

  • Personality is the sum total of your conscious and unconscious life, vocational, and educational experience and your paradigms, perspectives, values, beliefs, filters, framework and how you “see” yourself, others and the world around you

  • Communication style is the mechanism we use to express our personality

 

We recommend avoiding using DiSC in the following manner:

  • Describing DiSC as a personality test

  • Using DiSC to determine if a Team Member should be promoted

  • Ruling an individual in or out of a role in the hiring process based upon their DiSC

  • Labeling a Team Member’s behavioral choices as it relates exclusively to DiSC

 

DiSC is very simply a communication tool. Humans are gifted with the unique ability to communicate as no other species. In order to engage in a communication “transaction” with another member of the human population, we do not bark, meow, moo, or quack. 

The approach we use to communicate can be classified into four communication methods. Research indicates (Hippocrates, Glendon, Alessandra) humans have a preferred or primary communication method/style and a secondary communication method/style. It is important to note that all humans have all four methods available to them, no human is devoid of any one of the four styles. 

We are primarily communicating with each other in one of the following modes:

·        Fact or Feeling

·        Initiator or Responder

 

The four communication styles DiSC identifies are:

  • Dominance                        – Fact Based Initiators   

  • Influence                            – Feeling Based Initiators             

  • Steadiness                         – Feeling Based Responders

  • Conscientiousness           – Fact Based Responders

When engaged in a communication transaction with another human it is impossible to determine the IQ, EQ, values, beliefs, characteristics, or choices any one human possesses or may chose. Consider this, we believe: 

Dominant, Fact Based Initiators can be effective leaders

Influencing, Feeling Based Initiators can be effective leaders

Steady, Feeling Based Responders can be effective leaders

Conscientious, Fact Based Responders can be effective leaders

 

Communication style does not dictate personality, character, leadership ability or effectiveness. I believe it is detrimental, and in fact harmful, to relate an individuals’ preferred communication style to their leadership effectiveness. Consider this:

If a D has a desire to lead effectively, they will require the requisite amount of patience and humility.

If an I has a desire to lead effectively, they will require the requisite amount of patience and humility.

If a S has a desire to lead effectively, they will require the requisite amount of patience and humility.

If a C has a desire to lead effectively, they will require the requisite amount of patience and humility.

Furthermore, emotional needs, emotional intelligence, and emotional maturity do not correspond exactly with ones preferred communication style. For example, on any given day you may cross paths with two individuals who prefer the Conscientiousness communication style, which may be readily apparent if you are adept at using your power of observation to identify preferred communication styles, however, it may take much longer, and perhaps years, to determine if either of the individuals are trustworthy and or would be prone to commit a crime or engage in unethical choices.

It is understandable, however significantly detrimental, that individuals who take initiative can be viewed as “leaders” by the mere fact they display initiative. If initiation equates to effectiveness, and or effective leadership, we have essentially ruled out millions of individuals in the workplace from developing and displaying leadership ability.

DiSC is however, a highly effective tool when used to understand, appreciate, value, and adapt to another person’s communication style, preferences, perspective, and needs. Human beings are remarkable creatures, each one wired the way they are wired for a good purpose. Extraordinary leaders create environments where each person can be and become the most effective version of themselves, regardless of their preferred communication style.

Stay tuned for our March 2023 Tool of the Month as we discuss how DiSC can be helpful in developing self-awareness and effectiveness as a leader. Wishing you all the best as you develop yourself so that you can be and become more effective at developing others!

-LS

This Month’s Worksheet

Click here to view and download this month’s worksheet to utilize on your own or with a Group and/or Team over the next 12 months.

Recommended Quarterly Reading

Emotional Intelligence 2.0
By Dr. Travis Bradberry & Dr. Jean Greaves

2023
Managing From The Inside Out

Winter 2023

February 1, 8, 15, 22
March 1, 8, 15

AM Classes: 8:30-11:30 A.M.
PM Classes: 1:30-4:30 P.M.

Spring 2023

May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
June 7, 14

AM Classes: 8:30-11:30 A.M.
PM Classes: 1:30-4:30 P.M.

Fall 2023

October 4, 11, 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15

AM Classes: 8:30-11:30 A.M.
PM Classes: 1:30-4:30 P.M.

Register today to engage in professional growth and development as a Leader Manager and join us for Managing From The Inside Out! Simply email Katie Williamson at katie@lauraschanz.com to reserve a seat for yourself or a Team Member. The 2022 Registration Fee is $1,195.