Motivating your team is one of the most important skills you can develop as a leader. But how do you know what motivates each individual on your team? How do you tailor your communication and feedback to suit their preferences and needs? One tool that can help you answer these questions is the DISC model.
DISC is a personality assessment tool that measures four aspects of behavior: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. Each person has a unique combination of these traits, which influences how they work, communicate, and respond to situations. By understanding your own DISC style and that of your team members, you can adapt your leadership style to match their motivational drivers.
1 Understand the DISC styles, 2.Assess your team, 3.Adapt you Communication, 4.Assign Roles and Tasks, 5.Provide Feedback, 6.Foster Collaboration & 7. Recognize and Reward based on results.
Identifying your team members' DISC styles can be done in several ways. Online tests, surveys, or quizzes can provide a detailed report of their strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. Additionally, observing their behavior and communication patterns can help you detect clues about how they approach tasks, interact with others, and handle stress. Generally speaking, Dominant style individuals are results-oriented, assertive, decisive, and competitive; they value challenge, authority, and efficiency. Influential style people are enthusiastic, optimistic, persuasive, and sociable; they value recognition, collaboration, and fun. Steady style individuals are supportive, loyal, patient, and calm; they value stability, harmony, and cooperation. Lastly, Conscientious style people are analytical, meticulous, organized, and careful; they value quality accuracy and logic.
- Provide a simple DISC style. - Team members to do primal assessment for themselves. - Review the self-assessment with team members individually. - Discuss my input for the assessment. - When finally agreed, I’ll set goals and expectation. - Review the performances & actions after agreed deadline.
To motivate Dominant styles, you need to provide them with clear goals, expectations, and deadlines. They like to have autonomy, responsibility, and control over their work. They appreciate constructive feedback that focuses on results and outcomes. They also enjoy competition and rewards that reflect their achievements. Avoid micromanaging them, being vague or indecisive, or wasting their time with unnecessary details or meetings.
To motivate Influential styles, you need to provide them with opportunities to express their ideas, opinions, and emotions. They like to have variety, creativity, and interaction in their work. They appreciate positive feedback that recognizes their contributions and strengths. They also enjoy socializing and celebrating with their colleagues and leaders. Avoid criticizing them, ignoring them, or limiting their freedom or flexibility.
To motivate Steady styles, you need to provide them with support, guidance, and appreciation. They like to have security, consistency, and routine in their work. They appreciate sincere feedback that acknowledges their efforts and loyalty. They also enjoy working in a friendly and harmonious environment with their teammates and leaders. Avoid pushing them, overwhelming them, or changing their plans or procedures without warning.
To motivate Conscientious styles, you need to provide them with information, structure, and quality standards. They like to have clarity, order, and accuracy in their work. They appreciate specific feedback that helps them improve and correct their mistakes. They also enjoy learning new skills and mastering their tasks. Avoid rushing them, distracting them, or compromising their values or ethics.
Using the DISC model to motivate your team can help you improve your communication, feedback, and recognition strategies. By adapting your leadership style to suit your team members' preferences and needs, you can increase their engagement, performance, and satisfaction.