Attention to communication as a critical skill set in a successful organizational culture suggests we seek a variety of tools and tactics to improve our communication.
It’s a given that individuals prefer certain ways of how they behave. Such behavioral preferences affect how individuals communicate with one another. And how well. And communication is certainly much more than just words spoken between people. Communication is behavior unto itself. Some would say the reverse: all behaviors are communications.
The DISC assessment tool was created some 80 years ago(W.M.Marston). DISC is arguably the most simple and effective device for giving an individual awareness of his preferred communication style. In addition DISC is a language with which to identify another’s style. Knowing the language increases one’s ability to adapt and increase "success chances" of communication with that other person.
DISC describes specific communication behavior preferences. The language of DISC recognizes 4 factors:
- Dominance – How you respond to problems or challenges.
- Influence – How you influence people to your point of view.
- Steadiness – How you respond to the pace of the environment.
- Compliance – How you respond to procedures set by others.
All factors comprise one’s complete communication preference. An individual operates her 4 factors both independently and in concert.
For example, when confronting a specific need to organize a short-term team to complete a specific project, Sarah relies primarily on her influence factor. Her goal is to influence other people to accept ownership and responsibility for being part of the team. As the team gels and takes on the project, Sarah’s behavior preference returns to the blend of all 4 factors in ways and proportions normally applied.
This means a mix of the degree to which Sarah focuses on problems (D), people (I), pace (S), and process (C). Sarah’s style of communication (behavior) is her unique assortment of these 4 factors. She may normally focus to a greater degree on problems (D) than on any of the other factors, while her counterpart Stan applies attention to the pace (S) at which an assignment is completed. While Sarah and Stan may each turn to one factor more regularly, their individual behaviors are blends of all four factors.
Each factor is scored on a 0% to 100% scale. A high score is not better than a low score. One factor is not better/stronger than another factor. The DISC language is completely neutral.
It is common to focus initially on an individual’s highest factor score, as it may be the most readily observable. This can help individuals learning the DISC language and being able to describe others using DISC labels. Here are some descriptors at the high end of each factor’s score:
- Dominance: venturesome, decisive, competitive, aggressive, determined, forceful, pioneering
- Influence: optimistic, poised, polished, convincing, warm, persuasive, enthusiastic
- Steadiness: deliberate, consistent, predictable, possessive, patient, passive, relaxed
- Compliance: tactful, accurate, diplomatic, systematic, neat, exacting, conventional, cautious
As a communication-improvement tool DISC offers multiple benefits:
- Increased win-win opportunities in communication settings.
- Improved confidence within teams, among team members.
- Enhanced ability of individuals to prepare for discussions effectively.
- Greater awareness of the full range of communication and communication styles/skills.
Let me know if you’d like more information. This just skims the surface.
Tags: assessment, behavior, Communication, DISC
