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Understanding DISC Behavior
BEHAVIORAL STYLES
Historical and contemporary research reveal more than a dozen various models of our behavioral differences, but many share one common thread: the grouping of behavior into four basic categories.
The DISC styles are Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientious. There is no “best” style. Each style has its unique strengths and opportunities for continuing improvement and growth.
The DISCstyles™ assessment examines external and easily observable behaviors and measures tendencies using scales of directness and openness that each style exhibits.
The Platinum Rule
In business, especially, people often create tension and discomfort by assuming we’re all pretty much alike. In fact, most of us, if asked about a philosophy of personal relations, probably would recall The Golden Rule, which we learned as kids: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
If applied verbatim, it can backfire and actually cause personality conflicts. Why? Because following The Golden Rule literally treating people the way you’d like to be treated means dealing with others from your own perspective. It implies that we’re all alike, that what I want and need is exactly what you want and need.
But of course we’re not all alike. And treating others that way can mean turning off those who have different needs, desires, and hopes.
Instead, we suggest honoring the real intent of The Golden Rule by modifying that ancient axiom just a bit. We think the key to lasting success in business and the secret to better relationships, is to apply what we call The Platinum Rule: “Do unto others as they’d like done unto them.”
As a manager, some of your employees might like to be supported in a certain manner while others want to be supported differently. You probably have a way of supporting that works with some of your employees while it might not work with others.
Why do you have an easier time getting cooperation from some of your employees and not other employees?
Below is a DISC Chart that breaks down different styles and how they would like to be supported.
