Cathy Liska Published with Permission from Assessments 24/7.
This is a Monday blog series; our regular coaching blog will be published on Thursday’s.
In the previous blog the four DISC styles were explained. Now consider the strengths and challenges for each.
Dominance – High “D” Style
Dominance Styles often prefer strong, directive management and operational tendencies and work quickly and impressively by themselves. They try to shape their environments to overcome obstacles en route to their accomplishments. They demand maximum freedom to manage themselves and others, using their leadership skills to become winners. Additionally, Dominance Styles often have good directive and delegation skills. This matches their motivating need to have control over things. If they could delegate their exercise regimens or visits to the dentist’s office, they probably would.
These assertive types tend to appear cool, independent, and competitive. They opt for measurable results, including their personal worth, determined by individual track records. Of all the behavioral types, they like and initiate change the most. Some symbolize this personality type with a lion – a leader, an authority. At the least, they may have the inner desire to be #1, the star, or the chief.
Influence – High “I” Style
The Influence Style’s primary strengths are their enthusiasm, persuasiveness, and friendliness. They are idea people who can get others caught up in their dreams. With great persuasion, they influence others and shape their environments by building alliances to accomplish results. Then they seek nods and comments of approval and recognition for those results. If compliments don’t come, Influence Styles may invent their own. “Well, Harry, I just feel like patting myself on the back today for a job well done!” They are stimulating, talkative, and communicative. Often, this style is associated with a dolphin -playful, sociable, and talkative.
Steadiness – High “S” Style
An American icon, Mr. Rogers, was a classic example of a low-keyed, sincere, Steadiness Style. He visited millions of homes each day via TV for decades, with the same routine and endearing, heartfelt connection with his viewers. People still reminisce about his soothing voice and comforting delivery. His manner had a unique way of adding a sense of stability, calmness, and reassurance to everyone, regardless of age.
Like Mr. Rogers, other Steadiness Styles also naturally are easy to get along with, preferring stable relationships that don’t jeopardize anyone, especially themselves. The Steadiness Style may be represented by the koala with its accompanying slower, Steadiness pace, relaxed disposition, and appearance of approachability and warmth. These styles tend to plan diligently and follow through completely, helping them to routinely plug along with predictability and avoid surprises.
Conscientiousness – High “C” Style
Conscientiousness Style’s strengths include accuracy, dependability, independence, clarification, follow-through, and organization. They often focus on expectations (e.g., policies, processes, and procedures) and outcomes. They want to know how things work so they can evaluate how correctly and efficiently they function. Pictured as a fox, the Conscientiousness Style can be guarded, resourceful, and careful. Because they need to be right, they prefer checking processes themselves to be sure things are accurate and precise.
CHALLENGES – THE FOUR DISC BEHAVIORAL STYLES
All styles have many powerful and positive characteristics, but all styles have traits that are not as positive and can create limitations to effectiveness and our relationships.
Dominance – High “D” Style
Some Dominance Style traits that may have an adverse effect include stubbornness, impatience, and lack of compassion. Naturally preferring to take control of others, they may have a low tolerance for the feelings, attitudes, and “inadequacies” of co-workers, subordinates, friends, families, and romantic interests.
Influence – High “I” Style
The I style’s natural weaknesses are too much involvement, impatience, being alone, and short attention spans which may cause them to become easily bored. When a little data comes in, Influence Styles tend to make sweeping generalizations. They may not check everything out, assuming someone else will do it or procrastinating because redoing something just isn’t exciting enough. When Influence Styles feel they don’t have enough stimulation and involvement, they may lose interest and look for something new again… and again… and again. When taken to an extreme, their behaviors can be seen as superficial, haphazard, erratic, and overly emotional.
Steadiness – High “S” Style
Steadiness styles have their own type of unique difficulties with speaking up, seeming to go along with others or any conditions, while inwardly, they may or may not agree. More assertive types might take advantage of this Steadiness style’s tendency to give in and avoid confrontation. Additionally, the Steadiness Style’s reluctance to express themselves can result in hurt feelings. But if they don’t express their feelings, others may never know. Their lack of assertiveness and expression can take a toll on this type’s health and well-being.
Conscientiousness – High “C” Style
The C style may suffer from a lack of moving forward and making decisions. A strong tendency toward perfectionism, when taken to an extreme, can result in “analysis paralysis,” delaying their ability to act quickly. These overly cautious traits may result in worry that the process isn’t progressing correctly or that the decision isn’t the right one, which further promotes their tendency to behave in a more critical, detached way.
In the next blog, the goals and fears for each DISC style are explored.
