Naughty Or Nice: A holiday Look At Extended DISC Behavioral Styles
Posted by Jamie J on Fri, Dec 02, 2011 @ 05:12 PM
We've all got some "naughty" and "nice" to our styles. Here's how we can use Extended DISC to help us show more niceness this holiday season.
One of my favorite things about the holidays is the dose of good cheer so many people seem to have swallowed this time of year. Even though most of the days are 'business as usual' there's a vacation-esque feeling in the air that seems to put people in a good mood. It surprised me to see this week that, according to a Consumer Reports survey, maybe 15% of people don't look forward to "having to be nice" during the holiday season.
Being nice is listed with Americans' top holiday dreads such as "gaining weight over the holidays," "crowds and long lines," "seeing certain relatives," and "seasonal music." Some of the list of "dreads" is enough to put a smile on your face.
No, not that kind of smile. Something more like this:
As an hommage to that friendlier, smilier guy in red, who likes to be nice, we at OLS are offering 10% off Extended DISC points for the month of December. We're hoping that brings a little holiday cheer, whether by lending a hand to your company's bottom line, or by helping those who take the assessment consider how they might most effectively put into play the "nice" side of their style.
One of the things we try to make clear about Extended DISC is that there is "no right or wrong style." We say that in every Extended DISC training we give. Recently, at an OLS training when that point was reiterated, an attendee said "Oh no! There are wrong or right styles!" We all laughed knowingly.
The gift of Extended DISC is to help us have more awareness around behaviors we're (usually) not totally conscious of and how those behaviors might look to or effect others, helping or hurting us to build relationships and engage in positive and effective communication and teamwork. Understanding your natural and adjusted behavior style with Extended DISC also helps you understand your motivators, hopefully resulting in greater job satisfaction.
When we look at Extended DISC reports we talk about the strengths of ours styles, if we are using those strengths fully, and what our weaknesses are (maybe a strength overused?) and where are our opportunities for improvement. Although we really do believe that there are no wrong or right styles, what that attendee was talking about was the parts of our styles that can sometimes show up as not quite so "nice" and maybe a little on the "naughty" side. Like, the type of naughty when you were a kid and didn't share your toys. In other words, the kind that doesn't make for the best relationships with others.
Let's take a look at some of the "nice" and "naughty" of the 4 main styles of Extended DISC (remember, Extended DISC recognizes and reports on 160 unique styles), and how the gift of Extended DISC might help you reach your goals.
D-Style
Some of the main characteristics of D-styles are decisive, strong-willed, competitive, demanding, and independent. The nice: D-styles can stay focused on what's important in meeting the objectives and on getting work done right so the deal is closed. That's good for business and can really help the team acheive its goals. The naughty: Sometimes D's tend to not listen so well, be too self-centered, and pressure others to do what they want. How a little holiday niceness might influence a D to adjust behavior: Be less blunt, be more patient, consider others thoughts and feelings.
I-Style
Some of the main characteristics of I-styles are socialable, open, enthusiastic, energetic. The nice: I-styles like to work in teams, get buy-in, and can be good influencers with their positive energy. The naughty: I-styles can tend to be implusive, a little careless, and not listen well. How a little holiday niceness might influence an I to adjust behavior: Talk less, listen more. Pay attention to the details in order to really respond to what the team needs. Consider letting your emotions drive your behaviors less.
S-Style
Some of the main characteristics of S-styles are calm, patient, careful, trustworthy, andbeing a good listener. The nice: Accepting of others thoughts and opinions, measured in responses, makes others feel valued. The naughty: Can be "too nice", resulting in slow decisions or indecisiveness. May not take chances. How a little holiday niceness might influence a S to adjust behavior: Being more assertive can actually help to get the job done in a way that benefits others, even if it doesn't look or feel like it to an S-style. Trying new apporaches, getting away from ordinary routines, can help an S-style become comfortable with changes that will lead to more effectiveness.
C-Style
Some of the main characteristics of the C-style are prcise, logical, careful, and disciplined. The nice: Focused on the facts, gets the job done right the first time. The naughty: Although C-styles can be peaceful and quiet, at times they appear withdrawn and when they speak up they may be overly critical of others. How a little holiday niceness might influence a C to adjust behavior: Focusing on the positive first and then figure out how to confront problems. Thinking about the big picture might help you see the positive.
Even if your list of "holiday dreads" includes "having to be nice" you may still benefit from using the "nice" part of your style a little more. Afterall, setting goals for the new year is right around the corner. Contact us for points and your assessment!