Ever wondered why connecting with some people in the workplace is easier for you than with others? Or found yourself questioning the actions of some of your team members?
As Ange mentioned in last week’s blog, DiSC® is a powerful tool that can give us clues as to how we operate and help us to understand people. It provides insight into what makes us tick and helps us improve our self-awareness, interactions and ultimately, performance in the workplace. Dealing with differing personalities is an art, but applying the science of DiSC® can help you take some of the mystery out of the process.
We all have our own unique personalities that drive the way we think, act and react to things. The workplace is one giant pot of different personalities where we find ourselves having to navigate how to work with others, who sometimes seem very different from ourselves. Before starting with Inspire HQ, I hadn’t been exposed to DiSC®; it was completely new to me. Fast-forward to now, working with DiSC® is built into my day-to-day interactions with others and all of the decisions I make. I’ve become aware of my preferred work style, natural strengths and limitations. For example, I thrive when collaborating with co-workers, this is what gives me energy. I value relationships and harmony, so when met with working in a tense or chaotic environment, I naturally feel uncomfortable and drained of energy.
In most workplaces, teamwork doesn’t come naturally. Every team is made up of varying personalities who bring differing perspectives and approaches to work. In any team, there are members who might want to proceed slowly and test the waters before running with a new idea, while others would prefer to jump in, have a go first and not waste any time. By utilising DiSC®, I’ve learnt to understand where someone else is coming from based on their tendencies and preferences and to speak their language based on their preferred style.
By understanding DiSC®, I’ve learnt to recognise the natural differences between people and to value those differences. These differences are what go into creating a well-rounded and highly effective team. You need people that are great at looking at the bigger picture and driving projects forward, but you also need those that are detailed oriented to help balance the team. Everyone has a lane where they shine in and contributes to the success of the team. By knowing and understanding my profile, I’m aware of what I can bring to the table and can better pair myself with tasks that are suited to my strengths, interests and style. This positions me for success – in the team, in my role, and within the business.
All DiSC® styles are equally important and add value. None are better than others, and DiSC® is not a tool to indicate intelligence, abilities, success or limitations. It simply indicates how we prefer to work, from communicating with others to how we approach a task.
At Inspire HQ, all staff undergo DiSC® profiling as part of our onboarding process which allows us to understand each team member’s natural style and how we can work best, both individually and collectively. This, in turn, has positively impacted our internal culture and continues to be used in our day-to-day interactions. To really understand DiSC® as a tool and become comfortable with it takes time. I’ve only scratched the surface of how DiSC® has added value for me in my working relationships and I look forward to continuing to use this as a reference in the future.
If you’d like more information on how DiSC® profiling can benefit your team and your business, feel free to reach out to me or one of my HR team members on 5331 1734.
