Understanding Ourselves and Others

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Understanding Ourselves and Others

• Presented by Felicity Mildon

Wednesday 16th August 2006
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Session Objectives

• Understand our own and others preferred styles of
  working
• Understand the strengths and potential
  limitations of each style
• Learn strategies to more effectively communicate
  and influence people with different styles
• Have FUN!

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Linneaus said, Know thyself. Why is self
knowledge important?
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Why is it important to understand others?
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DISC Profile

• Internationally valid
• Used extensively in management training and team
  building activities
• No one right preferred style
• Focuses on task and relationship preferences

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Direct (or Driver)

• Outgoing
• Challenges status quo
• Keen to get things done
• Resists authority
• Likes to take the lead
• Takes action to bring about change

• Needs
• Results
• Recognition
• Challenges
• Fears
• Challenges to their work

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Influencing

• Outgoing
• Leads by enthusing others
• Prefers a global approach
• Steers away from details
• Acts on impulse
• Keen to promote change

• Needs
• Change
• Acknowledgement
• New trends and ideas
• Fears
• Disapproval
• Stagnation
• Detailed work

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Stablising

• Reserved
• Works well in a team
• Accommodates others
• Maintains status quo
• Recovers slowly from hurt
• Prefers steady rather than sudden change

• Needs
• Security
• Acceptance
• Fears
• Isolation
• Standing out as better or worse
• Unplanned challenges

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Conscientious

• Reserved
• Systematic
• Pays attention to details
• Focuses attention on immediate task
• Likes to plan for change
• Prefers established guidelines and practices

• Needs
• High standards
• Appreciation
• Quality work
• Fears
• Criticism of work
• Imperfection
• Not having things adequately explained

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Group Activity

• You have been asked to plan the move of the
  office to a new location.
• What might be the issues for each of the four
  groups and what could you do to communicate with
  them and gain their commitment to and involvement
  in the move?

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Some food for thought

• S/he who knows others is clever
• S/he who knows himself has discernment
• S/he who overcomes others has force
• S/he who overcomes himself is strong.
• Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

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Any questions?