Defining Your Strengths as a Leader Series: #1 Defining Your Strengths with DiSC

4 MIN READ

This article is the 2nd in a series. Read the introduction article
"Defining Your Strengths as a Leader."

I took DiSC through the Tony Robbins website thanks to social justice comrade and career coach Anthony Le’s recommendation. I’ve participated in a Tony Robbins seminar as a teenager, so to take something as an adult almost 20 years later was exciting!

DiSC is an observable “needs-motivated” instrument based on the idea that emotions and behaviors are neither “good” nor “bad.” Rather, behaviors reveal the needs that motivate that behavior. Therefore, once we can accurately observe one’s actions, it is easier to “read” and anticipate their likely motivators and needs.

DiSC provides your ADAPTED style and NATURAL style, represented as graphs and word sketches. As an example, for People, the words that indicate my needs, fears, and what’s observable are:

• Needs = Social relationships, friendly environment
  
• Observable = Optimistic, trust others
• Fears = ...being left out, loss of social approval

Define Your Strengths with DiSC Activity

Read about the DiSC assessment on the Tony Robbins website.

Consider if you would like to take this assessment (it’s free!). If you decide to take it, put it on your calendar by blocking 2 hours and set a reminder for a few days before so that you do not reschedule it. 
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1. On the day of, give yourself 30 minutes to unwind before taking the assessment (consider meditating!).
2. It should take 30 minutes or less to complete once you start it.
3. Give yourself 30 minutes after the assessment to do something energizing or relaxing.
4. After your break, take 30 minutes to review the results and set a goal in the next 30 days to take action related to your results.

What if you decide not to take it? Reflect on a colleague or loved one in your life who could benefit from the activity and tell them about it!

My Behavior Style is Assessor. Key behavioral insights that stand out to me that I will need to keep in mind to strengthen my relationships are:

• Emotional characteristic = Strong desire to look good to others.
• How others are valued = By their ability to trigger action and activities.
• Cations = Can overstep bounds of authority and be overly clever.
• Fears = Looking bad in the eyes of other people and/or not being viewed as a winner.

The insights I get to take home with me and contemplate as I move forward are lists of “Help Them Tos” adapted for different situations such as At Work, In Social Settings, and In Learning Environments.

Lastly, you get a summary of your motivation which tags seven (7) Motivators as Very Low to Very High. My breakdown was:

• Very High = Altruistic
• High = Individualistic, Power, Theoretical
• Very Low = Aesthetic, Economic, Regulatory

Knowing that Altruistic motivation is my highest, key universal assets that stand out to me that I will need to keep in mind are:

• You will appreciate kind and good-hearted people and may avoid the self-interested.
• You are always cognizant of the underdog and will go to great lengths to meet their needs.
• You will feel compelled to assist the unfortunate.
• Your high service ethic allows you to put others first and yourself last.​

​My Take-aways on DiSC

1. It is free and took less than 30 minutes to complete. It has 2 sections of questions and one optional section for demographics. 
2. I agree with the results. Namely, that I “have the ability to take the seed of an idea and make it develop into a successful solution.” In fact, that is a strength and passion that needs to be front and center in my position. When this level of creativity and entrepreneurism was not central to my role, I felt out of my element, uninspired, and I didn’t trust myself as much to do a great job the first time. Now with my consulting firm and the projects I choose to work on, I get to spend all of my time discussing ideas and solutions to awaken the strengths in organizations and in people (and myself!). 
3. I was surprised by some results. The DiSC word sketches indicated that two fears I have are “being taken advantage of/lack of control” and “sudden change/loss of stability and security.” I never thought of lack of control as similar to being taken advantage of, but in an office setting, or any collaborative project with other people, I should be more aware of this. The loss of stability and security surprised me as a fear worth naming but if it comes through in my dealings with people, I need to be sure that I am clear on what is within my control and what is not. 

Now that you’ve reviewed one assessment, take a look at Assessment #2 on Emotional Intelligence.
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Related articles

• Article 1: Defining Your Strengths as a Leader Series
• Article 2: Defining Your Strengths as a Leader Series: #1 Defining Your Strengths with DiSC
• Article 3: Defining Your Strengths as a Leader Series: #2 Defining Your Emotional Intelligence Strengths
• Article 4: Defining Your Strengths as a Leader Series: #3 Ranking Your Strengths with Gallup StrengthsFinder (stay tuned!)
• Article 5: Defining Your Strengths as a Leader Series: #2 Defining Your Personality Style with Myers-Briggs (stay tuned!)

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About Author: Meredith "Mer" Curry

​Mer has always had a passion for education and helping historically underrepresented groups achieve access and success to higher opportunities. She has consulted nonprofits, educational institutions, and businesses in addition to her volunteerism and mentorship of students.
Learn more about Mer at www.meredithcurry.com.