"D" stands for....

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where, despite your best efforts, your diligent determination, it was damned if you do, damned if you don’t?  Yet, others around you can do no wrong? 

I’ll be honest. I had a rough five years at my last job. I worked at an accounting firm with very bright and kind-hearted individuals. I made a lot of mistakes; I used a lot of excuses and blame. I didn’t exactly grasp the idea of choices in the way I am beginning to now.  I was far from employee of the month. But despite my short-comings they paid me well and never fired me. 

In retrospect, a lot of the problems had to do with two fundamental issues: my below the line behavior and my employers lack of communication skills.  Or, shall I say, my lack of sharing their communication style.

In an office 18 people, 17 of them had the same communication style, the same social mannerisms, the same strengths, the same propensities. Then, there was me. An artist surrounded by accountants. 

Are you starting to feel my pain? 

I was an oddity. My need for verbal reassurance, social interaction, color, uniqueness, and niceties were viewed as weaknesses.  It was deemed unprofessional and bothersome that I couldn’t hide my emotions when being yelled at by one of the partners. While other firm members could easily go back to work within minutes after being snipped or sniped at, for me, it took hours. I would take it so personally I would sit at my computer shaking, holding back tears. 

Yes, I was the emotional mess of the office.  

When confronted in an aggressive manner I would trip over my words like a drunken sailor.

I was viewed as a poor communicator. 

I always felt like the guppy swimming with sharks. Whoever perpetuated the stereotype of the meek, mild-manner accountant deserves cement shoes as far as I am concerned. 

Unfortunately I wish I knew then, what I am learning now about communication styles. Perhaps I could have adjusted my own communication style to garner better results.  (See what that was? That was called “Above-the-line” behavior.  It’s my responsibility to adapt my communication style to the situation; not the other way around.)

One of the most valuable communication assessments ActionCOACH Spokane uses for both their clients and employees is called a DISC assessment. Now this assessment only addresses surface behaviors; i.e. how you adapt your communication style while in the workplace as opposed to your natural style. It doesn’t delve much below the surface, but do you really want your boss knowing how screwed up you really are? Nope. I didn’t think so. 

Simply put, the DISC assessment creates a profile based on four quadrants: Dominant, Influential, Steady, Conscientious. 

Below is a snapshot of why you care that I am telling you this and why knowing a person’s DISC profile can help you play to that person’s preferences and overall type: 

With Dominant people

• Build respect to avoid conflict
• Focus on facts and ideas rather than the people
• Have evidence to support your argument
• Be quick, focused, and to the point
• Ask what not how
• Talk about how problems will hinder accomplishments
• Show them how they can succeed

With Influential people

• Be social and friendly with them, building the relationship
• Listen to them talk about their ideas
• Help them find ways to translate the talk into useful action
• Don’t spend much time on the details
• Motivate them to follow through to complete tasks
• Recognize their accomplishments

With Steady people

• Be genuinely interest in them as a person
• Create a human working environment for them
• Give them time to adjust to change
• Clearly define goals for them and provide ongoing support
• Recognize and appreciate their achievements
• Avoid hurry and pressure
• Present new ideas carefully

With Conscientious people

• Warn them in time and generally avoid surprises
• Be prepared. Don't ad-lib with them if you can
• Be logical, accurate and use clear data
• Show how things fit into the bigger picture
• Be specific in disagreement and focus on the facts
• Be patient, persistent and diplomatic

So that is your introduction to the DISC profile assessment. For more information, email me at Spokane@actioncoach.com.  

If you are wondering, your humble blog author is a very high “I” and “S” profile.  Yes that does mean I will require the equivalent of a parade and mariachi band in terms of encouragement.