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)

History of DISC

William Moulton Marston Ph.D. (1893 - 1947)

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

8

Ginger Snap

Visiting 4 Countries

9

• Your native language (or style) remains most familiar• Learn how to flex when you are in “country” D, I, S, C

IInteractnteract

Driver Spokesperson

Professor Scientist

DDominaominantnt

SSteadyteady CComplianompliantt

If you are traveling to the countries of DISC…

•

10

why not speak the language?

16

eGraphs 1. Focus on Graph II Natural2. Circle your highest point(s)

Work - Specific

See Page 5of your report

Overall - Preferred

Adapting StyleGraph I

Natural StyleGraph IID I S CD I S C

Sample Graphs

17

Divide & Conquer

Now each style moves to a corner of the room.

C

D

IS

18

Graphs- Energy Line

Energy Line:

• Energy Line - Points above Energy Line

gives us energy.

5Page 5 of your report

19

D I S C

Energy Line

Profile – Determined by highest

plotting points above Energy Line.

Primary Behavior - In CAPITAL LETTERS.

D = DominantDriver Behaviors

Pace - Fast, DecisivePriority - Task/Goal

Page 5 of your report

Graphs Defined

20

D I

S C

Energy Line

I = Interactive Spokesperson Behaviors

Pace - Fast, Spontaneous Priority - People

Page 5 of your report

Graphs Defined

21

D I S C

Energy Line

S = Steady Professor Behaviors

Pace - Slower, Relaxed Priority - Relationship

Page 5 of your report

Graphs Defined

22

D I S C

Energy Line C = Compliant

Scientist Behaviors Pace - Slower, Systematic

Priority - Task

Page 5 of your report

Graphs Defined

23

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.

=

Page 5Page 5 of your report

24

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?

=

Page 5Page 5 of your report

25Page 5

D I S C D I S C

Your individual graph

Page 5 of your report

Your Team’s Style

D I

C S

The Foundation’s Style

D I

C S

28

Page 12 in your Report

29

Page 23 in your Report

“The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.”

-Henry Kissinger

31Page 23 of your report

• 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 someonewho will inspire us to be

what we know we could be.”

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

I - Action Plan

34Page 23 of your report

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

37Page 23

Page 23 of your report

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

38Page 23

S - Action Plan

“Now there are five matters to which a general mustpay 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)

40Page 23

Page 23 of your report

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

41Page 23

C - Action Plan

How to Identify Another’s Profile

42Page 15

43

1. Main learning points?

2. What actions will you take?

IInteractnteract

DDominaominantnt

SSteadyteadyCComplianompliantt

DISC Closing Summary

The Platinum RuleStyle not SkillPace—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