Monday, July 16, 2012

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


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

















4 comments:

Michele Bergh said...

This is a great article. When I tend to think of strenths, I think of them in terms of Strengthfinder and Marcus Buckingham and I don't feel these can be in excess. I definitely see it with the DiSC profile though. Any of these aspects can cause issues when lacking balance.

shawn said...

This is interesting. I keep thinking I know what I am but then I read some more and think, no I'm more this. lol.

Cerebrations.biz said...

Yeah, Yeah! But, we get things done...
Seriously, though, we do need to attenuate our actions at times. And, learn better charismatic tendencies so that we don't need (ok, feel the need) to run on all 12 cylinders (even if we only have 8) to have our team accomplish the objectives.

Christine Mann said...

I’m finding this is a tough project to do at this bird's eye view (by blogging) without the interaction of a classroom - and limiting it to several hours - not a month's worth of posts! Lots of detail is missing here that would illuminate distinctions and fine points. And it’s true that the deeper you go, the more you find in common with styles you may not have considered – you’ll have to try the profile!

Thanks for all the comments - I love the interaction such as it is.