DISC
Understanding, Appreciating and Adapting Your
Communication Style
Learning objectives
Identify the observable behaviors of the
four DISC styles
Have an understanding of your Work
DISC style and the style of each of your
team members
Learn how to adapt your style so that
you improve your communication
effectiveness
Take away tips for better communication
among the styles
Outline
What is DISC?
Interpret your Graph and Appreciate Strengths
(Page 5)
Explore your team Graph (handouts)
Group Activity for Sharing your Summary (Page
12)
Application: Adapting & Understanding (Page 23)
William Moulton Marston Ph.D. (1893 - 1947)
History of
DISC
The Platinum Rule
Treat others the way they want to be treated.
--Tony Alessandra, Ph. D.
Author of People Smart in Business:
Using the DISC Behavioral Styles Model to Turn Every Business Encounter Into a
Mutual Win
7
DISCself Report
Ginger Snap
8
Visiting 4 Countries
Dominant
Driver
Interact
Spokesperson
Steady
Professor
C
ompliant
Scientist
• Your native language (or style) remains most familiar
• Learn how to flex when you are in “country” D, I, S, C
9
If you are traveling to the countries of
DISC…
•
why not speak the language?
10
eGraphs
1. Focus on Graph II Natural
2. Circle your highest point(s)
Adapting Style
Graph I
D IS C
Natural Style
Graph II
D I S C
Sample Graphs
See Page 5
of your report
Work - Specific
Overall - Preferred
16
Divide & Conquer
Now each style moves to a corner of the room.
C
D
S
I
17
Graphs- Energy Line
• Energy Line Points above
Energy Line
gives us energy.
Energy
Line:
Page 5 of your report
5 18
Graphs Defined
D
I S C
Profile –
Determined by highest
plotting points above Energy Line.
Primary Behavior In CAPITAL LETTERS.
Energy Line
D = Dominant
Driver Behaviors
Pace - Fast, Decisive
Priority - Task/Goal
Page 5 of your report
19
Graphs Defined
D
I
S C
I = Interactive
Spokesperson Behaviors
Energy Line
Pace Fast, Spontaneous
Priority - People
Page 5 of your report
20
Graphs Defined
D I
SC
S = Steady
Professor Behaviors
Energy Line
Pace - Slower, Relaxed
Priority - Relationship
Page 5 of your report
21
Graphs Defined
D I S C
C = Compliant
Energy Line
Scientist Behaviors
Pace -
Page 5 of your report
Slower, Systematic
Priority - Task
22
Similar Graphs - Comparison
If both Adapting Style &
Natural Style are similar You tend to use same
behavioral traits across
environments.
=
Job feels inline with
how you would like to be
communicating.
23
Page 5 of your report
Page 5
Different Graphs - Comparison
If Primary Adapting &
Natural Style are
significantly different …
Going out of comfort zone
(style) to get job done.
=
+ Shows flexibility.
__ If prolonged,
can cause stress.
Ask yourself –
Any changes at work?
24
Page 5 of your report
Page 5
Your individual graph
D I S C
D I S C
Page 5 of your report
25
Page 5
Your Team’s Style
D
I
C
S
The Foundation’s Style
D
I
C
S
Page 12
in your Report
28
Page 23
in your Report
29
“The task of the leader is to get his
people from where they are to where
they have not been.”
-Henry Kissinger
Action Plan
Page 23 of your report
31
Action Plan
• Be fast and decisive
• Support their goals and save them time
• Be businesslike and provide options with
supporting analysis
• In writing be short and to the point
• Do it with conviction
• They need to know what it does, when, what
it costs
32
“Our chief want is someone
who will inspire us to be
what we know we could be.”
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
I - Action Plan
Page 23 of your report
34
I - Action Plan
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Do it with flair
Save them effort
Let them be visible and inspiring
Be enthusiastic
In writing be informal and dramatic
Support their feelings
It’s all about interaction and being
spontaneous
35
“Great leaders are almost always great
simplifiers, who can cut through argument,
debate, and doubt to offer a solution
everybody can understand.”
-General Colin Powell
S - Action Plan
Page 23 of your report
37
Page 23
S - Action Plan
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Be relaxed and pleasant
Provide consideration to their feelings
Focus on relationships and communication
Be casual and cooperative
Save them conflict
In writing, be warm and friendly
Let them know how things affect their
personal circumstances
38
Page 23
“Now there are five matters to which a general must
pay strict heed. The first of these is administration; the
second, preparedness; the third, determination; the fourth,
prudence; and the fifth, economy.”
–Wu Ch’i (430-381BC)
C - Action Plan
Page 23 of your report
40
Page 23
C - Action Plan
•
•
•
•
•
•
Use logic and accuracy
Save them embarrassment
Provide data and documentation
Be precise and support the procedures
In writing be detailed and precise
Value their need for structure, tasks and
processes
41
Page 23
How to Identify Another’s Profile
42
Page 15
1. Main learning points?
Dominant
Compliant
Interact
Steady
2. What actions will you take?
43
DISC Closing Summary
The Platinum Rule
Style not Skill
Pace—rapid or steady?
Priority—people or goals?
Understand my style--we’re all o.k.!
Adapt your style for more successful communication
“Today the most useful person in the world is the
man or woman who knows how to get along with
other people. Human relations is the most important
science in the broad curriculum of living.”
--Stanley C. Allyn