Over the years, as I have worked with many different personality types, I have realized the value of recognizing how to identify and work with people using principles that I have learned through profiles such as DISC, Discover Your Strengths, and the like. So I was excited to review Taking Flight!: Master the DISC Styles to Transform Your Career, Your Relationships…Your Life
Part I: Taking Flight! The Fable is a sort of hokey parable about forest animals. Part of me was like, “get on with it already!” But it does illustrate really well how different personality styles approach problems and work together.
Part II: The DISC Model is an introduction to the four styles and the 12 DISC principles. I’m familiar with the DISC styles, so there wasn’t anything really new here, but it was a nice review of what the styles are and how to use the styles to get along better with others. It is also a good introduction if you don’t have any prior knowledge of the DISC styles.
Part III: Applying the DISC Styles in Your Life gives a nice, concise description and some practical examples. It also gives you the web address where you can take a very simplified version of the DISC test. The book finishes with some worksheets and tips for making use of the styles in you own life. I like that this section is short, sweet and to the point. Much different than the parable section! Chapters in this part include:
- Steps for reaching your highest potential
- DISC for selecting an educational and career path
- DISC in the work environment
- Tapping the power of style in themes
- DISC for teaching and coaching
- Educating with DISC
- Better parenting with DISC
- DISC action planning
- DISC mapping
Overall, this is a great book for taking the DISC information and answering the question, “That’s nice, now what?” I recommend it for small business owners who want to learn how to better relate to their staff, anyone who works in a corporate environment, and coaches/facilitators.
Do you use DISC or other personality profiles? In what way have you found them to be helpful? (Or not)
Ever Feel Like You’re Herding Cats?
Since most of my work is with church committees and entrepreneurs, I often feel like I am herding cats. The video above was one that I first saw at a training for missions coaches.
With the new year, I have decided to try to get more organized. For the first few days everything was running quite smoothly. I was getting so much done! But then I realized that there is something I can’t control . . . the people I’m working with!
I turned to the internet for advice. I came across a fun infographic at Search Engine Journal titled A Guide to Working with Difficult Clients and an article by The Byline Group titled The 10 Most Difficult Clients You Meet on Earth. Although they were written from the point of view of a consultant, I realized that the tips are just as applicable to working with volunteers, board members, teammates, and even my family.
Here are some of the key lessons learned:
- get everything in writing.
- be clear about boundaries and the scope of what you are committing to do.
- milestone charts and deadlines are important (of course, this requires that you are organized enough to have them!)
- stay positive.
- if email is not working, pick up the phone.
I plan to implement some of the above ideas and see if that helps resolve some of the situations where my workplan is being delayed because of waiting for other people to contribute what I need from them. Of course, it’s important to recognize that nothing is within our control, and other people have their own work to do. But if the proper expectations are set, it’s much easier to find a compromise that works for everyone.
Do you have any tips for working with people when things seem disorganized?