It’s Time to Start Putting It All Together & I Need Your Help

Today is a sort of test drive of material I'm preparing for the launch of the product I've been writing about for most of July. This isn't really a blog post as much as a web page that will introduce the product/service.

I'd be happy to have you put yourself in the place of a small business owner or an entrepreneur and let me know your reaction. MUCH appreciated.

As small business owners and entrepreneurs we’re consumed with social media connections, short and long- term plans, time-lines, organizational systems, tracking mechanisms and more.

And we certainly have some great customers, but wouldn't we love to have more?!?!?

What could still be missing from the toolbag that would help with ATTRACTING and RETAINING more clients?

Have you thought about the relationships you’re developing – or NOT developing – with current and potential clients?

What if you could WORK MORE POSITIVELY with clients and potential clients to…

• Close more sales?
• Save time so you can focus on the income producing activities?
• Increase your bottom-line?
• Develop valuable relationships?
• Create long-lasting relationships?
• Talk with clients in a way that appeals to them and gets results?

What if YOU could…

• Get a grasp on your own tendencies and priorities?
• Understand why you act the way you do?
• Sleep better at night knowing you’re working with clients in ways that will strengthen the relationship?
• Strengthen your bond with co-workers for better business outcomes?

What if you could develop a SUPPORT TEAM for your business that…

• Would work together to grow the business?
• Could better manage the inevitable conflict?
• Value each others’ differences and develop mutual respect?
• Work energetically toward common goals that you all share?

Relationships make all the difference in our business – you can accomplish all of the above with:

A Self-Study Program in Building Strong Business Relationships

This is a four part program that will IMPROVE YOUR SUCCESS and understanding of:

Your uniqueness and how to leverage it for positive outcomes

How others respond to you and why you get the reactions you do

How you can best approach others for long-lasting partnerships

How to strengthen your own skills and abilities in dealing with others

The Four Components to Getting to Know Yourself…and Others™

1. DiSC® Classic 2.0 Online Profile
2. Self-Study Guide that supplements the profile, includes lesson, worksheets, planning docs and more
3. One-on-one coaching with Christine Mann – one free 30 minute consult to clarify your understandings, ask questions, plan for next steps
4. Online personal development system – ProStar Coach – that you’ll be able to access like a personal gym for 24/7 workouts in developing Personal Strengths and People Skills

Though we’ve spent nearly a month in the lessons of DiSC® styles, this program will take you much deeper, give you a chance to appreciate subtleties of behavior and make plans for handling some of your more difficult business relationships.

Learn more here and read a portion of the Self-Study Guide.

AND…hear what DISC® users say about this profiles’ effect on their growth – personally AND professionally.

Question for you:

What is your reaction to Getting to Know Yourself…and Others™? 
   I'm looking for info on:
   Content
   The multi-faceted approach to learning
   Price ($197.00)
   And any other comments you care to offer!

THANK YOU

Tomorrow: How ProStar Coach complements DiSC® and takes your learning to a new level

Time Management - What's DiSC Got To Do With It?

There are so many good blogs out there about Time Management that I certainly don't want to reinvent.

But since we've been discussing DiSC styles, I thought I'd add a few notes about each styles’ unique strengths in this area as well as some tips for getting a better grip on time.

D

Your Strengths

•  Fast-paced
•  Organized
•  Self-discipline
•  Goal-oriented
•  Planning

Areas for Improvement

•  Listening
•  Consistency
•  Attention to detail
•  Teamwork
•  Patience

i

Your Strengths

•  Fast-paced
•  Energetic
•  Desire to look good
•  Goal-oriented

Areas for Improvement

•  Self-discipline
•  Punctuality
•  Attention to detail
•  Tendency to over-commit

S

Your Strengths

•  Organized
•  Methodical
•  Systematic
•  Cooperative

Areas for Improvement

•  Sense of urgency
•  Learning to say “No”
•  Goal-oriented

C

Your Strengths

•  Organized
•  Accurate
•  Self-discipline
•  Orderly
•  Punctual

Areas for Improvement

•  Sense of urgency
•  Reduce procrastination over more detail
•  Perfectionism

Question for you: As we've studied behavior styles this month, have you identified some skills or behaviors you've like to improve upon? Over the next couple of days, we'll look at specific resources for doing just that.

image: salesforcetraining.com

Here’s the Smart Stuff About Styles- Part 2 of 2

Today let's consider the S and C simple behavior adaptations for winning relationships.

“Treat Others As They’d Like to Be Treated” and see if you can’t make a difference in some relationships – personal OR professional.

This is People Reading 301: Adapting to Other Styles

 

Remember: simplicity and authenticity, not false behaviors

If you are a strong S try these simple adaptations:

To Interact with a “D”

Try to be more confident in your interactions. 
Don’t be intimidated by the strong-willed and challenging “D.”  Be prepared and respond just as strongly with the answers they want.

To Interact with an “i”

You may not like the “i’s” over-friendly, time-wasting attitude, but you should get along fairly well.

To Interact with an “S”

Again, you should get along fairly well. But remember that you, the “S,” will require lots of assurances.  So try to come on as strongly and confidently as possible.

To Interact with a “C”

You should get along well with a “C” as long as you can confidently answer all questions, and firmly present necessary facts and figures.  Don’t be intimidated by the “C’s” challenges and skepticism.

If you are a strong C try these simple adaptations:

To Interact with a “D”

Be careful!  Don’t overwhelm a “D” with all those facts and figures.  Just hit the high points.  And try to muster confidence to present your ideas assertively.

To Interact with an “i”

Again, resist the urge to lay all the facts and figures on the “i.”  Just hit the highlights and try to be as friendly as possible.  Any innovative ideas you have will be accepted by the “I.”

To Interact with an “S”

You should get along fairly well with an “S”.  Just don’t talk too fast, let an “S” take time to digest the facts you present.  Talk about family and friends a little, and don’t be too pushy.

To Interact with a “C”

This should be your easiest interaction.  You both should see eye-to-eye right from the start of the interaction.

You know I'd love to hear about any successes as you try these simple approaches!!

Tomorrow: How Your DiSC ® Style Impacts Your Time Management

image: studosfera.net

Here’s the Smart Stuff About Styles - Part 1 of 2

“Treat Others As They’d Like to Be Treated” and see if you can’t make a difference in some relationships – personal OR professional. Everything this month has been leading up to this.

This is People Reading 301: Adapting to Other Styles

 

Remember: simplicity and authenticity,
not false behaviors

If You Are a strong D try these simple adaptations:

To Interact with a “D”

Be yourself.  One “D” communicates with another “D” fairly well.

To Interact with an “i”

Be a little friendlier than usual, and not quite as business-like.  You should get along easily with an “i.”

To Interact with an “S”

Slow down, present assurances, give more detail, be friendlier, give them a chance to digest facts, don’t overstress new and innovative items.

To Interact with a “C”

Present plenty of proof and facts, make sure all questions are answered, take it slower than usual, don’t be pushy or go too fast.

If You Are a strong i try these simple adaptations:

To Interact with a “D”

Don’t tell jokes or make small talk.  Stay very business-like and don’t waste time.

To Interact with an “i”

You’ll have no trouble relating, but just remember to conduct some business.

To Interact with an “S”

Don’t become overly friendly until you’ve earned trust.  Stick to facts and figures.  An “S” will enjoy some socializing and small talk, but still needs lots of basic information in order to make decisions.

To Interact with a “C”

This could be your most challenging interaction.  “C’s” are not impressed by storytelling, time-wasting, or socializing.  Give facts, figures, and proof.

 Tomorrow: Adaptations for S's and C's

 image: heidimorton.net

Can You Spot the Clues to Another Style?

Recognizing Other Styles is only important because it gives us an indicator of how to best approach someone (“treat others they’d like to be treated”) if we want to create a winning relationship.

We’ve studied Understand the Basic of Behavioral Styles which I consider People Reading 101.

People Reading 201 is Recognizing Other Styles - Link to a Bonus "Cheat Sheet" is below.

People Reading 301 is Adapting to Other Styles (tomorrow)

Here’s simple summary of signals people may give as to their preferred style - the challenge is to understand the basics in order to recognize the signs - then act on simple adaptations of your own.

D’s are:

Extroverted (though I’ve seen lots of introverted strong D’s – I think it’s believed that just because they’re dominant, D’s are extroverted – not necessarily so!)

Task Oriented
Direct
In Excesses: Impatient, aggressive
Needy for: Results/Control
The Emotion that may clue you to this style: Anger/short fuse
                     

i’s are:

Extroverted
People Oriented
Indirect
In Excesses: Undisciplined, reactive
Needy for: Acceptance, is fun-loving
The Emotion that may clue you to this style: Optimism, enthusiasm

S’s are:

Introverted
People Oriented
Indirect
In Excesses: Possessive, unsure, wishy-washy
Needy for: Trust, security
The Emotion that may clue you to this style: Non-emotional

C's are
Introverted
Task Oriented
Direct
In Excesses: Critical, stuffy, slow to make decisions
Needy for: Logic, procedures, data, to be “right”
The Emotion that may clue you to this style: Fear of criticism

Get your FREE Bonus "Cheat Sheet" here

My-Never-To-Be-Forgotten—Oft-Repeated-Very-Important-Note: Discovering your behavioral style is intended to help you understand more about your impact on and relationships with others and how you can use that information to improve or create strong and effective relationships – in your personal or professional world.

Understanding the styles of DiSC® is NOT an opportunity to stereotype and refer to someone as a “D” (or i, S or C). We all have some of each style within our range of behaviors so it’s unfair and possibility offensive to call someone by their primary style indicator. And remember that DiSC® is focusing on a particular role in your life – circumstances and situations may cause a change in that role and a change in behaviors. So can styles change? YES! No stereotyping or labeling allowed.

Resources:
The Universal Language Ô DISC, A Reference Manual, 1993, Target Training International, Ltd.

DiSC® Classic 2.0 Online Profile, Inscape Publishing, Minneapolis, MN
ProStar Coach, Performance Support Systems, Inc. Newport News, VA

My Real-World Experience – all over the place!

DiSC Research Reports

What we’ve been talking about is the high-level view of

Getting to Know Yourself…and Others™ -
A Self-Study Program in Building Stronger Relationships

The program all entrepreneurs can use to develop strong client relationships

image: clipof.com

Let’s Test Your Understanding….

We've looked at the outstanding characteristics of DiSC® styles, team strengths and value of each style to a team, those strengths carried too far and the basic fears that may drive each styles' behaviors. That's a lot of ground to have covered!

Now it's time to test yourself - can you match the descriptor below with the style it represents?

1. Needs Accuracy/Order
2. Needs Results/Control
3. Need Security/Stability
4. Needs People Involvement/Recognition
5. Quick-do it quicker!
6. Let’s have a good time and get the work done!
7. Prefers handling details, working alone
8. Enthusiastic/Sparks excitement in others
9. Very loyal to jobs & people
10. Impatient/Domineering
11. Conforming/Indecisive
12. Works for perfection

Answers at:

http://www.youneverstoplearning.com/disc-quiz-answers/

We've complete a significant section of Getting to Know Yourself…and Others™ - the abbreviated version. Next week we'll continue with quick tips for recognizing other styles and simple behavioral adaptations for yourself to create more winning relationships.

Image: faculty.maxwell.syr.edu

Going to take a couple of days off to celebrate our wedding anniversary - we're taking a jet boat ride on the Snake River/Hell's Canyon - one of our very favorite things! See you next week.

Can Our Strengths Be Taken Too Far? Part 2 of 2

OK, I’ll admit I’m finding this is a tough project to do at this bird's eye view (by blogging) without the interaction of a classroom – covering behavior styles and learning to understand yourself and others is typically a live classroom module with loads of interaction and learning. Subtlety and levels of detail are missing here that would illuminate distinctions and fine points of different styles. (Maybe you'll have to take your own profile - there's an idea!).

I want this to have value at the high-level view and I also hope you’ll go on to explore more about yourself and others – MY GREATEST FEAR is that it will appear rote - it’s not a matter of being an automaton in your approaches and response to others, it’s learning to:

• Understand your own and others’ style for success in your business and life
• Recognize what they would most appreciate in your approach
• Then simply making a few adaptations of your own to create a winning outcome and a lasting relationship (if that’s what you’re looking for).

And it’s true that the deeper you go, the more you find in common with styles you may not have considered to be like you – we all have some (!! Almost everyone!!) of other styles in our makeup.

So let’s wrap up this segment of major characteristics of each style that I’ve been running since July 8 with the remainder of taking a strength too far - seriously overused - and creating a possible negative outcome.

S – Steadiness

As a strong S your basic fears are (and you behave in ways to negate this)

Loss of stability in relationships at home and at work

Loss of security, routine

When you go into “excess” (behaviors you may tend to overuse), you may come across to others as:

Wishy-washy, can’t make up your mind (you are slow to make decisions because you want to consider all the ramifications – for home and for work)

Avoiding dealing with a conflict situation, staying in a bad situation too long

Waiting for orders before acting

Not projecting a sense of urgency (I’ll repeat: you are slow to make decisions because you want to consider all the ramifications – for home and for work)

Too conforming

C – Conscientious

 As a strong C your basic fear is (and you behave in ways to negate this)

Criticism of your work (if others do criticize, they’d better be right!)

When you go into “excess” (behaviors you may tend to overuse), others may see you as:

Picky

Judgmental

Too critical of yourself and everyone else

Stuffy

Suffering from analysis paralysis

Remember the DiSC® model and it becomes easier to see how styles can conflict. You can see how the more action-oriented D and i get impatient with the S and C, but you can also see the value of all four strong styles working together.

But don’t worry!

After tomorrow’s QUIZ, I’ll give you simple tips for recognizing other styles quickly AND for making those simple adaptations to your own behaviors to create the winning outcome you want!

Question for you today: If you are a strong S or C, can you identify a behavior of yours that you could/should take down from “excess”?

Tomorrow: The QUIZ! What have you learned?

I’ll close today with:

My-Never-To-Be-Forgotten-Oft-Repeated-Very-Important-Note: Discovering your behavioral style is intended to help you understand more about your impact on and relationships with others and how you can use that information to improve or create strong and effective relationships – in your personal or professional world.

Understanding the styles of DiSC® is NOT an opportunity to stereotype and refer to someone as a “D” (or i, S or C). We all have some of each style within our range of behaviors so it’s unfair and possibility offensive to call someone by their primary style indicator. And remember that DiSC® is focusing on a particular role in your life – circumstances and situations may cause a change in that role and a change in behaviors. So can styles change? YES! No stereotyping or labeling allowed.

Resources:
The Universal Language Ô DISC, A Reference Manual, 1993, Target Training International, Ltd.

DiSC® Classic 2.0 Online Profile, Inscape Publishing, Minneapolis, MN
ProStar Coach, Performance Support Systems, Inc. Newport News, VA
My Real-World Experience – all over the place!
DiSC Research Reports

What we’ve been talking about is the high-level view of

 

Getting to Know Yourself…and Others™ -
A Self-Study Program in Building Stronger Relationships

This is the program all entrepreneurs can use to develop strong client relationships

Overused image: electronicsketchbook.blogspot.com

Can Our Strengths Be Taken Too Far? Part 1 of 2

It’s true that we all have great strengths that add to our successes personally and professionally. We’ve spent the postings on this blog since July 11 reviewing what those were.

But can there be too much of good thing? Sure ‘nuff! A strength taken too far can become an “excess” – just too much of a good thing.

Let’s consider the strong tendencies of the D and i in the DiSC® model.

If you’ve determined that you’re a strong D (Dominant), you know that means people see you being active, assertive, not necessarily subtle, strong-willed, possibly intimidating, aggressive, competitive, risk-taking, a fast mover, a REALLY fast mover! You persuade people by saying do it because I say so.

After all, you’re trying to get things done and produce results, aren’t’ you?

At times D behavior is driven by a basic fear (we’re back to the below-the-water-line influences on our observable actions) and will behave in ways to negate this.

D’s are often suspicious of others and don’t want:

·  Any loss of control over your own destiny or the situation
·   And you certainly don’t want to be taken advantage of.

If you’ve determined that you’re a strong i (Influencing), you know that means you show tendencies that are enthusiastic, persuasive, optimistic, people-oriented, involved with others, social, ready to work, but to enjoy it. You persuade people with excitement: let’s do it have a great time!

As with a D, i behavior is driven by a basic fear (once again the-below-the-water-line influences on our observable actions) and i's will behave in ways to negate this.

The i’s fear is rejection and loss of social approval

When a D or i is in "excess" - coming on with too much of something - consider likely reactions from the view-point of a strong S or C (Steadiness and Conscientious). They think:

Well, let's just say it! You D’s can be simply annoying! You come across as pushy, impatient, a really bad listener, no concern for necessary details, lacking in tact and diplomacy, harsh and well, domineering.

Strong i’s – you can appear to be irrationally impulsive, undisciplined, you place heart over mind, have difficulty planning and managing time, you’re inattentive to detail and go out of your way to avoid conflict and can be viewed as manipulative.

Hardy the way to win friends/clients and cultivate winning relationships, right?

That’s why Getting to Know Yourself…and Others™ begins with:

1. Understanding the Basic Styles
2. Recognizing Other Styles
3. Adapting to Other Styles

In summary, it’s just not enough to “be myself” whatever the circumstances – if I want more winning relationships, I begin with understanding, recognizing and adapting my OWN behaviors.

Coming: Too Much of a Good Thing for S and C, clues for Recognizing Other Styles and great tips for Adapting to Others

Question for you today: Can you identify a behavior of yours that you could/should take down from "excess"?

My-Never-To-Be-Forgotten-Oft-Repeated-Very-Important-Note: Discovering your behavioral style is intended to help you understand more about your impact on and relationships with others and how you can use that information to improve or create strong and effective relationships – in your personal or professional world. Understanding the styles of DiSC® is NOT an opportunity to stereotype and refer to someone as a “D” (or i, S or C). We all have some of each style within our range of behaviors so it’s unfair and possibility offensive to call someone by their primary style indicator. And remember that DiSC® is focusing on a particular role in your life – circumstances and situations may cause a change in that role and a change in behaviors. So can styles change? YES! No stereotyping or labeling allowed.   Resources: The Universal Language Ô DISC, A Reference Manual, 1993, Target Training International, Ltd. DiSC® Classic 2.0 Online Profile, Inscape Publishing, Minneapolis, MProStar Coach, Performance Support Systems, Inc. Newport News, VA My Real-World Experience – all over the place! DiSC Research Reports   What we’ve been talking about is the high-level view of Getting to Know Yourself…and Others™ - A Self-Study Program in Building Stronger Relationships This is the program all entrepreneurs can use to develop strong client relationships

Images:

Too Much - minnesota.publicradio.org
Fear faucet - maria-alqobtia-newspaper.blogspot.com