Yesterday, I covered some of the foundations of the DISC and some of the benefits you can gain from using it effectively.
Today I want to go into a bit more detail about the first two factors (a 'factor' here simply means 'area of focus' or 'part'), the 'D' and the 'I'.
The D
'D' is short for 'dominance.' The 'D' part of the theory is interested in how people make decisions, and how they respond to problems and challenges.
How to tell if you're dealing with a D (behavioral tendencies):
- Quick, fast decision making
- Very strong sense of urgency
- Challenging and aggressive
- Eager to make hard decisions
- Determined and strong-willed
How to tell if you are talking to a D (communication tendencies):
- Extroverted
- Willing to give their opinions and ideas
- Strongly advocate for their position
- Generally like talking about 'big', visionary ideas
- Wants to win - aggressive and competitive
- Generally focuses on tasks
Strengths
- Willing to lead and take responsibility
- Will fight for what they think is the right direction or decision
- Pushes back - will test opinions and ideas
- Drives toward a goal or objective
- Works long and hard to achieve their goals
Limitations
- Can be overly pushy
- Can overstep authority
- Might miss details because they are focused on 'big picture'
- Strong aggression can rub people the wrong way, turn others off
- Can push or pull others instead of leading, persuading, or influencing them
The I
'I' is short for 'influence.' The 'I' part of the theory is interested in how people deal with other people, and how they manage their social contacts.
Key words
- Enthusiastic
- Expressive language and gestures
- Trusting of others
- Lots of contacts
- Social - tend to be magnetic
Communication tendencies
- Verbally fluent - uses lots of words!
- Expressive - likes to use gestures and non-verbals
- Optimistic; looks for possibilities
- Nice, friendly
- Generally focuses on people
Strengths
- Good verbal communicators
- Can win people over, persuade
- Rally people for a cause or goal
- Can handle lots of contacts
- Great socializers
Limitations
- Spend too much time on people, not enough on tasks
- Refrain from giving constructive feedback or from difficult conversations
- Over-extend themselves - too many social obligations
- Be perceived as flighty or 'chatty'
- Can be unwilling or unable to listen - too much talking
Next time I'll write about the S and the C, and conclude our discussion of the DISC.
To learn more about how to use the DISC to save time and keep more money in your pocket, connect with us.