DiSC^® INTERACTION STRATEGIES

Classical Profile Patterns

Creating a Positive Climate

Communicating

Resolving Conflict

DOMINANCE

 
-  Provide choices for activities
-  Accept their need for variety and change
-  Let them direct the efforts of others
-  Offer new opportunities and challenges

 
-  Use direct, to-the-point communication without a lot of social chatter
- Check at the end of the discussion to make sure everything was heard

 
A "D" tends to take a direct, aggressive approach which may result in  "I win/you lose"
-  Avoid right-wrong debates by stating your differences without judgment
-  Use open-ended questions (how, what, where, when) to get to the real issues
- Wrap up the discussion by stating what each person has committed to do to resolve the conflict.

D         Developer
Di        Results-Oriented
DI        Inspirational   ? 
Dc       Creative      ? 

INFLUENCE

 -  Provide opportunities to
 interact positively with others
-  Allow time for verbalizing their thoughts, feelings, ideas
-  Assist them in following up on details
-  Provide enthusiastic, verbal recognition

 
- Use informal, open-ended discussions in social environments
- Use two-way dialog, responding to their feelings

 
An "I" tends to avoid direct, open conflict-  Recognize their discomfort with conflict or loss of approval
-  State the issue factually without criticism of them as a person
-  Limit their attempts to minimize the problem or sidetrack the discussion
-  Wrap up the discussion with  clear statement of what is going to happen, by when, and affirm your relationship with them

I          Promoter
Id        Persuader
Is        Counselor
Ic        Appraiser

STEADINESS

 
-  Acknowledge how their efforts are helpful to others-  Provide opportunities to cooperate with others in achieving results
-  When suggesting change, lay out a step-by-step plan

 
Provide regular opportunities for informal, casual discussions
-  Draw out information about their concerns, worries or conflicts with others
- Initiate discussions in a friendly, low-key manner

 
An "S" tends to avoid aggression, hostility or conflict
-  State the need to resolve the conflict in order to maintain stability an harmony in the relationship
-  Draw out uncomfortable issues by asking open-ended questions, (how, what, where, when)
-  Ask them what they need to resolve the issue in a way that was reasonable and effective
 

S        Specialist
Si       Agent
Sd      Achiever
Sdc     Investigator
Sc      Specialist

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

 
-  Provide opportunities for them to demonstrate their expertise
- Provide situations where their systematic efforts will contribute to long-term success
-  Accept their need to be "right" and their discomfort with mistakes
 

 
- Use formal communication in new situations, avoiding personal questions
- Use logical, matter-of-fact statements rather than emotional expressions
-  Check for points of disagreement and misunderstanding

 
A "C" tends to initially withdraw from open conflict but may become defensive or aggressive
-  State the issue calmly, logically, factually, citing specific behavior
-  Ask what they need to resolve this conflict on a win-win basis
- Recognize their need to think about the situation before responding by scheduling a time to have a follow-up discussion

C        Objective Thinker
CS      Perfectionist  ? ?
Cis      Practitioner
Cd       Creative     ?

Category

1

2

3

4

5

This meeting advanced our Mission

Our pace today was just right

I had adequate access to air time

We started at the time we agreed on

The agenda was clear before we started

We covered one agenda item at a time

We maintained the focus of each discussion

We handled items in a reasonable sequence

We discussed information clearly and accurately