How can a team function and thrive when made up of individuals from various backgrounds with different personalities and priorities? Adapting to these diverse and unique styles requires knowledge about communication and psychology, and the DISC framework provides these. This framework was developed from research over many years by psychologist William Marston, and it can help you to understand and identify your preferred behavior type and how it can relate to the behavior types of the people around you.
DISC stands for four personality types: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientious. You can take assessments to learn which type you are, such as CMOE’s DISC ExpressTM. Each DISC type has its own unique strengths, and all styles are equally valuable because they each bring different talents and aptitudes to the team. By learning about the different types and their strengths, you can start to strategically structure your team and processes to succeed, achieve, and thrive.
D-Dominance
People with a D Style are driven. They have a natural desire to make things happen and take quick, decisive actions. The strengths of someone with a D Style lie in their ability to:
- Make decisions quickly.
- Confront tough issues or situations.
- Speak up about problems.
Although they may seem unapproachable or insensitive to their team members, people with the D Style drive the team to achieve successful and timely results.
I-Influence
People with an I style have a natural ability to build relationships and teamwork through dialogue and connecting with others. The strengths of someone with an I Style lie in their ability to:
- Improvise and be comfortable with change.
- Be outgoing and assertive.
- Promote ideas and opinions.
Sometimes impulsive, people with the I Style bring life, fun, and new ideas to the team.
S-Steadiness
People with an S Style have the natural ability to take a methodical approach to accomplishing tasks by collaborating with and supporting others. The strengths of someone with an S Style lie in their ability to:
- Be a strong team player.
- Be aware of and sensitive to the needs of others.
- Methodically approach tasks, problems, and situations.
Despite possibly seeming passive or indifferent to other team members, people with the S style place a high value on being a team player and ensuring the team’s and other team members’ success.
C- Conscientious
People with a C Style are motivated to accomplish tasks with quality and accuracy. They are task-oriented and exact, and they follow processes closely. The strengths of someone with a C Style lie in their ability to:
- Be very thorough.
- Follow standards.
- Emphasize accuracy.
Although their team members may see them as too concerned with achieving perfection, people with the C style ensure the team’s accuracy and commitment to processes.
All of these styles have different strengths, motivations, and weaknesses. By acknowledging and celebrating these differences, you can help each style reach their potential and support the overall success of the team.
To learn more about the different DISC styles and the DISC framework, take CMOE’s DISC assessment, the DISC ExpressTM, and take CMOE’s new digital course “Applying DISC”.
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