In the previous article, we talked about how to identify the four DiSC assessment styles within your team. Wrapping up our theme this month, we will examine ways in which you can adapt to the different styles.
To achieve success in any workplace, one must be able to adapt to those with differing styles. With so much emphasis put on teamwork, the ability to adapt becomes an invaluable skill. Individuals from any of the four DiSC assessment styles are equally capable of adapting. The key is to understand the preferences of the other styles. With this understanding, you can then adapt and adjust your behaviors accordingly.
Here are tips to help you adapt to the various styles in a virtual setting:
Adapting to Dominance: As discussed in previous articles, D-styles are assertive and result-oriented. They are ambitious and tackle challenges directly. When adapting to D-styles, be clear, specific and on-point in your dealings. Prior to meetings and conferences, make sure you are prepared and up-to-date. Do not waste their time and avoid engaging in non-work related chatter. Learn to prioritize the results and quality of your work. Knowing they are result-oriented, allow D-styles the freedom to choose how tasks get done. Finally, though it can be difficult, try to overlook their brashness.
Adapting to Influence: Workers of the i-styles are out-going and sensitive to the feelings of others. They are socialites who desires acknowledgement. When working with those of the i-style, adapt to their social nature. Start of your conversations by being personable and then progress on to work. Be optimistic and interact with them periodically throughout the workday. Understand that by being engaging and friendly, you will actually be motivating the i-styles as opposed to distracting them. They also like a fast-paced environment, so adapt to working quickly. Since individuals of the i-styles are not the most detail-oriented, try not to overload your conversations with details. It becomes increasingly important in a virtual setting where the information and details are relayed through electronic means. This can cause even more difficulties for the i-styles who already struggle with details.
Steadiness: S-styles are team players that enjoy the opportunity to help others. They love building relationships and enjoy a stable environment. To adapt to the style of Steadiness, be friendly and engaging. Learn to develop relationships built upon trust and loyalty. Tone down your level of aggressiveness and competitiveness. Learn to acclimate yourself to a slightly slower work pace. Try to be stable and consistent in your approach. Since S-styles have trouble coping with changes, be gentle when confronting them with the changes. Take your time explaining the extent of the changes and why the changes took place. When working with S-styles, learn to provide clearly defined guidelines and expectations.
Contentiousness: C-styles are highly analytical and detail-oriented. They are not the most outspoken individuals. To adapt to the C-style, try to be as detailed as possible. Learn to be specific in your conversations and take care not to overlook any details, no matter how frivolous they may seem. Adjust your work habits to become quality-oriented. C-styles will appreciate peers who take great pride in the quality of their work. Allow C-styles to be independent in their work. Give them the necessary information, required guidelines and expectations. Then allow them the space to do their work. In a virtual environment where you are unable to see your peers, you must learn to be patient. Understand that C-styles need the time to analyze and process information. Thus, in your conversations, do not interpret their silence or slow responses as a sign of disengagement or lack of preparation. Adapt to their analytical nature and give C-styles the time to process.
While adapting to the various styles can be difficult and at times frustrating, the need to adapt is necessary. By giving you these tips, I hope they will ease and better help you adapt to workers of the differing styles. Please check out the corresponding podcast for even more tips. Next month’s theme will be focused towards building efficient virtual teams.
