Art of the Possible refers to the belief and practice of pushing boundaries, challenging limitations, and embracing growth to accomplish extraordinary feats. DiSC assessment, when used properly, enables the mindset of Art of the Possible and encourages individuals to stretch beyond their comfort zones.
Let’s understand the 4 styles outlined in the DiSC model.
D - (Dominance) Direct and result oriented
People with D style are result-oriented and focus on outcomes, prioritize efficiency, and take decisive actions. They emphasize goal attainment, driving projects forward, achieving measurable results, and contributing to a highly productive and goal-oriented work environment.
i - (Influence) Socially outgoing and enthusiastic
People with i style are socially outgoing and enthusiastic. They exhibit an infectious energy and a natural inclination towards social interactions. They thrive in team environments, excel at building relationships, and inspire others with their enthusiasm.
S - (Steadiness) Collaborative and always thinking of everyone in the team
People with S style are collaborative and inclusive. They have a team-oriented mindset, they value input from all team members and ensure everyone's needs are considered. Individuals with this trait actively seek diverse perspectives, promote open communication, and prioritize collective success. Their inclusive approach cultivates a collaborative culture where teamwork and mutual support thrive.
C - (Conscientiousness) Analytical and driven by accuracy
People with C style are analytical and accuracy-driven. They approach tasks with meticulous attention to detail and a focus on precision. They excel at data analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking. This trait ensures thoroughness, quality, and informed decision-making, contributing to reliable outcomes and efficient processes.
Embracing Diversity and Collaboration for Enhanced Success
DiSC is a behavioral assessment tool that categorizes individuals into four main styles: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). e.g. A person with C style is characterized by accuracy and precision but social interactions are a challenge for them. However, with practice and an understanding of their own style and the styles of others, a person with a C style can become more comfortable interacting effectively with individuals who have different behavioral styles, e.g an i style. They can also learn to be more outgoing and social.
This focus on personal growth and the ability to adapt and collaborate with diverse team members ensures that the team functions harmoniously and achieves greater success. Involving individuals with different styles brings a diversity of perspectives, leading to higher levels of innovation, creativity, and ultimately a more successful end product or solution.
Here is a way to visualize this shift in behavioral patterns. The plot below shows a person’s DiSC graph. The Black dot shows their natural behavioral style -C. The colored area shows how comfortable they are interacting with other styles or being in situations that require them to act in a manner different from their dominant style.
Now imagine a push pin at the black spot and place one end of a rubber band around the push pin and stretch the other end. The rubber band can stretch only up to the edge of the colored zone. If the rubber band is stretched beyond the edge of the colored zone into gray areas, the stress would be too high and the rubber band would break.
DiSC allows them to understand their current limitations but not use that as an excuse or a crutch. Instead the goal is to take the insights from their report and make small tweaks to their behavior so that their rubber band can become more elastic over time and stretch further into the gray areas. This means that with time and practicing learnings from DiSC assessment, they are able to interact effectively with people who have different behavioral styles than them. They can also interact more in areas that are currently limitations for them. This becomes the foundation of their professional success, team’s success and the organization's success.
To Sum it up
Behavioral limitations are often self-imposed and can be overcome through proper use of DiSC assessment. Insights from DiSC assessment enable challenging the status quo, disrupting norms, and forging new paths to success. By embracing Art of the Possible, individuals and organizations have the potential to achieve personal transformation which can become the launchpad for groundbreaking advancements in science, technology, the arts, and countless other fields. It drives progress and propels society forward, enabling the realization of ideas previously deemed impossible.