Not Your Mother’s DISC

It has been said that everything we need to know in life we learned in kindergarten. I am not sure if I completely agree with that, but there is one skill we have all been taught since kindergarten that is extremely beneficial to one’s professional life. This is the ability to work well with others as part of a team. The best team members can recognize the interaction preferences of their coworkers and adapt their personal style to better connect with them. Taking the time to notice characteristics about one’s coworkers divides good team members from the extraordinary.

It is important when first meeting someone to take the time to feel out their interaction style. Are they introverted or extroverted? Do they tend to look at the big picture or have an eye for detail? Are they creative or a more logical thinker? It is important to not rely on your first impression of a coworker. Continue to follow up with them to establish their true interaction style. If one approach isn’t successful, take the time to revaluate and try something different. It is always a challenge to relate to those who are most opposite from us, but individuals who are able to do so will be the most successful.

I have always been more introverted than extroverted. Growing up I was always intimidated by people who were more extroverted than me. I knew I could never relate to them by being loud, spontaneous and outgoing, that just isn’t me, but I could find common ground in other ways. At work I stood out to my bosses through the quality of my work, my organization skills and my responsible nature. With my friends and peers I stood out by being reliable and a great listener. Through these efforts I found ways to relate to the people I thought were so intimidating, and I could still be myself!

For those who are unsure of their own interaction style, there are many businesses that offer personality assessments. One that I have consulted myself is NextWork’s DISC Assessment. NextWork’s DISC Assessment divides people into four different personality types, the Dominate director, the Interactive socializer, the Steady relater, and the Cautious thinker. Once participants know their interaction preferences, DISC teaches them to recognize the interaction style of others. They also give great tips on how to adapt one’s style to better connect others.

To read more about DISC Assessment and to find your interaction style click on the following link: http://www.bizsandiego.com/index.php?option=com_mamblog&Itemid=1&task=show&action=view&id=1411&Itemid=1&utm_campaign

By: Ashley Margo, ashley@boltpr.com