Small Businesses

Learn this psychological code to get along with anyone at work

  • 3 min Read
  • September 16, 2021

Author

Escalon

Table of Contents

With every person coming from a different background, understanding human behavior can be a mystery. This is compounded at work, where the personality and behavioral traits of co-workers may be misunderstood and cause friction, which in turn impairs productivity and can even bring teams to a stalemate.  

Not to worry. Enter a handy psychological code called the DISC that can help you understand your colleagues better and foster stronger relationships with each one.

The DISC assessment styles

Originally based on the 1928 DISC emotional and behavioral theory of psychologist William Moulton Marston, DISC is a powerful but simple behavioral assessment tool that can help us understand people by assessing their traits, preferences and mannerisms.

Disc is an acronym for model that organizes human personalities into four types based on their main behavioral trait:

Dominance; Influence; Steadiness; Conscientiousness 

How to spot each DISC style

Dominance style: People who score high in dominance strive to maintain authority. They are confident and work steadfastly to achieve their goals. Challenge, success and competition are their best motivators. They may be blunt and demanding with co-workers. Extraordinary problem-solving skills make them a valuable addition to any team.

Influence style: People who score high in influence prioritize relationships. They excel at communicating and tend to shape the environment around them by influencing others. They are excellent storytellers and possess a great sense of humor. However, they often have a hard time listening.

Steadiness style: People who score high in steadiness tend to be highly dependable, whether on a long-term project or a short-term assignment. They value persistence, cooperation and sincerity. However, they are not great candidates for multi-tasking, generally preferring to focus on one project at a time. They are great listeners and able to foster collaboration and more fulfilling relationships at work.

Conscientiousness style: People who score high in conscientiousness can be described as meticulous and produce high-quality work. They are strongly motivated by opportunities to gain knowledge and display expertise. Preferring to follow strict professional protocols, they may not like to socialize with co-workers. They are patient and accommodating with colleagues.

How to communicate using DISC

Once you figure out the DISC personality types of your colleagues, it becomes easier to sort out communication. You can tailor conversations and written communications in a manner that makes them feel valued, heard and understood.

Communicating with DISC “D” style:

  •     Be concise. Avoid verbosity and small talk.
  •     Use facts to explain your position.
  •     Involve them directly in decision-making. Don’t expect them to follow already-made decisions.

Communicating with DISC “I” style:

  •     Be personable. Don’t hesitate to initiate chitchat before discussing business.
  •     Back up ideas and opinions with testimonials from co-workers that this colleague respects.
  •     Make decisions by meeting’s end; follow up in writing. 

Communicating with DISC “S” style:

  •     Open conversation with a little friendly talk.
  •     They are good listeners, but listen to what they have to say as well.
  •     Don’t force a quick decision. Give them time to absorb your ideas.
  •     Avoid empty promises or you’ll lose their trust.

Communicating with DISC “C” style:

  •     They pay keen attention to detail. Shared documents must be fact-based and organized.
  •     Lead by example and honor your word.
  •     Appreciate and commend their expertise.
  •     Maintain high professionalism when interacting face-to-face with such employees.

Talk to our team today to learn how Escalon can help take your company to the next level.

  • Expertise you can trust

    Our team is made up of seasoned professionals who bring years of industry experience to the table. You gain a trusted advisor who understands your business inside out.

  • Quality and consistency

    Say goodbye to the hassles of hiring, training and managing in-house finance teams. You will never have to worry about unexpected leave of absence or retraining new employees.

  • Scalability and Flexibility

    Whether you’re a small business or a global powerhouse, our solutions scale with your needs. We eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and help you focus on growing your business.

Contact Us Today!

Tap into the latest insights from experts in your industry

People Management & HR

The Role of HR Analytics in Strategic Decision-Making 

In the era of big data, human resources (HR) analytics has emerged as a powerful tool that can transform how...

Accounting & Finance

Understanding Customer Lifetime Value and Its Impact on Strategy 

In the world of business, not all customers are created equal. Some make one small purchase and disappear, while others...

Accounting & Finance

Tax Strategies for Succession Planning in Family-Owned Businesses 

Succession planning in a family-owned business is a delicate dance that involves not only leadership and emotional considerations, but also...

Accounting & Finance

The Role of Financial Modeling in Strategic Planning 

Financial modeling is a cornerstone of strategic business planning. It involves creating numerical representations of a company’s financial future, allowing...

Accounting & Finance

The Importance of Financial Literacy for Business Owners 

Running a business isn’t just about having a great product or service – it also requires a firm grasp of...

Accounting & Finance

Tax Implications of Remote Work: What SMBs Need to Know 

The rise of remote work has opened exciting possibilities for small and medium businesses – access to a wider talent...

Leadership & Growth

Succession Planning: Preparing for Leadership Transitions 

Change is inevitable in business, and one of the most significant changes a company can face is a leadership transition....

Accounting & Finance

Sales Tax Compliance in the Digital Age: Challenges and Solutions 

The rise of e-commerce and digital business models has revolutionized how companies reach customers, but it has also added new...

Leadership & Growth

Implementing Lean Management Principles in SMBs

“Lean management” might conjure images of big manufacturing plants fine-tuning assembly lines, but the principles of lean are highly relevant...