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

Perfection is My Name and I’m a Strong C

Like strong D's in the DiSC model of styles, the C is task oriented. D’s like the big picture and dislike being bogged in detail, but C’s know there’s a necessity for detail - and correct detail at that.

So can you be a strong D and C? Oh, yes. Many entrepreneurs are just that combo because you have to be able to do both – vision/big picture AND manage the nitty-gritty to get there.

C in the DiSC model is for Conscientious.

C’s are perfectionists, you're objective, accurate and disciplined. You are also sensitive (!yes!), perceptive, patient and mature.

As a strong C, your emphasis is on quality, getting things done correctly (and let’s face it: no one else can really do as good a job as you can). You’re intolerant of sloppy work and can be your own worst critic.

Major characteristics of the strong C include:

• Fact-finder
• Accurate
• Analytical
• High Standards
• Perfectionist
• Methodical
• Compliant (rules were NOT made to be broken)
• Courteous
• Restrained
• Diplomatic
• Sensitive
• Evasive
• Melancholic
• Precise
• Systematic
• Conventional
• Exacting
• Patient
• Conscientious

The strong C’s needs-driven behaviors are due to a quest for correctness and being right. (remember those below-the water-line influences?)

As a strong C you may have these tendencies…

·       You are highly analytical

Make decisions by facts and logic

Data is critical

Ask the tough questions

Objective thinker

·    You focus on excellence

Strong task orientation

Accurate, detail-oriented

Maintain high work standards

Do it right the first time (and you do believe you’re the only one who can do it right)

·   You are sensitive and intuitive (this may seem surprising in light your  tendency toward analytics, but you are very attuned to others)

Ask the right questions

Appreciate a business like-atmosphere

Good at giving feedback

Diplomatic

Are you a C in your tendencies?

Keep in mind:

1. That you may be different at home than you are in a business setting.

2. Your predominant behavior can change based on a situation; being responsible for a bottom line and being forced into accountability can increase your C behaviors.

Would you agree that these are famous C’s from our past?

Clint Eastwood (in real life)

Frazier & Niles (Frazier)

Fred Mertz (I Love Lucy)

Robert (Brother on Everybody Loves Raymond)

Bill Gates

Mr. Spock (Star Trek)

Jack Nicklaus

Diane Sawyer

Felix Unger

Question: What famous people can you identify as strong C? Do you have strong C’s in your life?


My-Still-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 ÔDISC, 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

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

Image: iheartshirts.com

The Fun-Loving Influencer

i is for Influential in the DiSC model

 

i's are renowned for their love of life and enduring desire to have fun – after all, you should be able to have a good time doing just about anything, right?

Even if the work is tough, you're more like to cheer others on and inject some good times.

The catch is that i's are as bottom-line results-oriented as strong D’s, but they’re just so much more charming about it!

The DiSC Model

The more pronounced your i is in the profile the harder you work to influence others to your point of view

Major characteristics of the strong i may include:

 

Effusive	Self-promoting	Emotional	Trusting
Affable	Charming	Convincing	Optimistic
Influential	Personable	Gregarious	Sociable
Poised	Good mixer	Enthusiastic	Impulsive
Popular	Generous	Persuasive	Inspiring
Confident	Open-minded	Talkative	Cheerful

The strong i’s needs-driven behaviors are acceptance and social recognition
(remember those below-the water-line influences?)

As a strong i your tendencies may include....

·    You are people oriented

Need to be involved with others

Good persuader - can sell ideas

Positive sense of humor

More people than task oriented

·     You show emotion

Outgoing

High need for attention

Impulsive

·    You are optimistic & harmonious

Motivate others toward goals

Look for the good in people and things

Trust willingly, forgive easily, you have difficulty reprimanding

Strive for harmony, can negotiate conflict

·    You are creative

Can be ingenious in solving problems

Can look at issues with a different, fresh eye

Are you an i style in your tendenices?

Keep in mind:

1.   That you may be different at home than you are in a business setting.

2.   Your predominant behavior can change based on a situation; my i became much higher as corporate trainer – I was in education and very interested in influencing class participants. I have to mention that I'm rereading Gone With The Wind right now and was there ever a greater change in predominant styles than Scarlett O'Hara before and after the war?? She was an extremely strong i antebellum (acceptance and social recognition) and an very strong D (and C) post-war (bottom-line: make money!)

Would you agree that these are famous i's from our past?

Lucy Ricardo (I Love Lucy)
Jim Carey
Billy Crystal
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Roz (Frazier)
Raymond (Everybody Loves Raymond)
Carol Burnett
Jay Leno
Oprah Winfrey

Comic characters of:

Steve Martin
Robin Williams
Eddie Murphy

Question: What famous people can you identify as strong “i”?
Do you have strong i’s in your life?

My 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 ÔDISC, 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

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

Image: store.ournameisfun.com