Using DISC Profiling to Manage Your Manager - Part 1 of 4

When I first read the Forbes article that stated:

“People Leave Managers, Not Companies”

It was one of those light-bulb moments for me. It summed up in one line a lot of what I had been helping people with in the corporate world for years.

Many individuals leave their job only to go off and get exactly the same job with another organization. In so many cases I have found that these people left, not for more money or promotion but to get away from their boss!

If this is you, what can you do?

Understanding the DISC model of human behaviour is the first step.

By gaining the knowledge of DISC, you can begin to unlock the people puzzle, build better relationships with those you find ‘difficult’ to be with or work with and understand how they are ‘DISC wired’. Armed with this information you can begin to improve your working relationships at any time.

Who’s managing whom?

To have a productive, effective, harmonious relationship with your boss it is important to understand that they are not just managing you… YOU are managing them too! Or at least you could if you knew how.

It’s a fact that oftentimes we learn how to or how not to approach a manager by experience/feedback. You might get a pat on the back or get your fingers burned but at the end of the interaction, you will have gained some knowledge as to how to or how not to do things in the future.

Fast track

Isn’t it better to have some inside knowledge before you approach them to ensure the best possible outcome more often?

Of course it is! - Here’s how.

Identifying a D personality type

A D boss is:

• Fast paced and task orientated.
• Someone who thinks fast, acts fast and speaks fast.
• Goal orientated and bottom line focused.
• Keen to cut to the chase and get to the point.
• On the move and impatient to get things going and get results.
• Big picture focused.
• Willing to take a risk.
• Confident even though they might not always be right.
• Someone who sees a problem as a challenge and will attack it.
• Someone who thinks rules are a suggestion.

How to manage the D boss? - Here’s how

• E-mails need a compelling subject line to get their interest – “Idea to Increase Sales”
• D bosses like e-mails in bullet points not loads of text
• Give them the headlines. If they want more information they will ask for it
• Face to face they prefer a faster pace so cut to the chase and get to the point, they don’t like waffle
• If you have a story to tell, shorten it – get to the point
• Be confident and speak up
• Don’t be afraid to disagree but have your argument ready
• Deliver results not problems
• If you go to them with a problem, go armed with a possible solution – even if it is not the right solution for them, they will appreciate that you have tried
• Remember they are goal focused and bottom line orientated and will be listening to you thinking to themselves, “what’s in this for me/my goal”. Make sure you let them know - fast.

For D and I style employees, the above is fairly simple to adhere to because there are similarities in style and pace (both are outgoing). That said, I styles - remember it is better to under-promise and over-deliver rather than the reverse. D’s don’t like it when you don’t deliver or miss a deadline.

For S and C styles, the above may well be more of a challenge and for some may take you out of your comfort zone. S and C styles are more reserved and generally prefer a slower pace to allow time for reflection and double-checking the detail – this can frustrate the D.

C styles – try to cut down on the delivery of detail when communicating with the D – I know it is sometimes difficult to know what to leave out but D styles only want the main points – If they want more, they will ask you.

Even though you may feel some discomfort modifying your own style when dealing with the D styles but I would urge you to trust in DISC. Hold your breath and jump in… you will swim and eventually after you’ve tried it a few times you will become comfortable feeling uncomfortable.

When communicating with D Styles – "Be Bold Be Brief & Be Gone"

Want to learn more about the power of DISC Profiling?

Become DISC Certified with Master Trainer Dave Pill - https://www.the-coaching-academy.com/disc/level-1-events/