Positive influence plan development and implementation

DISC assessment: Dominant, influence, and steady type-People on a team

In this example of a DISC analysis, namely that of a three-person work team, there is a predominantly dominant-type personality, an influence-focused type, and a stable-type personality. 'DISC' stands for the first letters of the dominant, influence, stable and conscientious personality classifications. Dominant people are motivated primarily by their own goals rather than the goals of other people or the organization as a whole. Their own interests have more weight than the specific goal of their assignment, in contrast to more collectively-focused, but equally goal-driven steady types. Dominant people, in contrast to influence and steady-types are satisfied when they are working independently, which can make team work a challenge for dominants. Dominant types ask few questions, are outwardly directed, and perform in a persistent, direct, headstrong and often fearless manner.

Influence-based types are emotional, social, and optimistic. They have a poor sense of creating a step-by-step, linear process of realizing goals, following deadlines, and achieving clear objectives, but a good people sense. This can make their interpersonal style very frustrating for influence types and steady types. Relating to others is what gives influence-based personalities the greatest satisfaction, and pleasing others is what motivates influences. Influencers communicate in a highly personal, often discursive manner in a way that can frustrate the other types. Steady types are also motivated by helping others, but derive satisfaction by following the rules, and perform in a more goal-directed manner, like dominant types, even though they are interested in the feelings of others, like influence-based types.

One of the dangers of a DIS team profile is that it may be lead by the one dominant personality. The individual who ranks high in dominance is likely to want to make decisions quickly, and to steer the group in a specific, goal-directed fashion. He or she may dominate the steady type of person, and the influence-type person may want to please this natural leader -- or grow angry and resentful of the dominant person's focus on facts rather than feelings. While the dominant person's attitude may seem to be good for 'getting things done' it can also stifle positive debate and discussion. The dominant person may also put his or her own, personal interests ahead of the interests of the group, which will particularly frustrate the steady type of person, who has a high degree of organizational loyalty and values group harmony.

While the influence type may be a classic 'people pleaser,' the influence-based person could come into conflict with the dominant person because of the influencer's more creative and emotional style. Communication could break down. The steady type might shut down entirely because he or she was intimidated by the dominant person. Of course, because dominant people focus on facts and are result-driven, they can bring valuable elements to the team, provided this is countered by the influence-based person who is sensitive to how human emotions can impact the project. The influence-based person needs to encourage both the conventional steady-type and the goal-focused dominating type about the need to change with the environment and to see the value of the process of getting to the destination. The dominant and steady team members need to understand that the journey of achieving a goal can yield organizational value.

Success must be redefined for the dominant person as learning how to use different team member's strengths, like the influencer's responsiveness to the environment. The steady person's desire to satisfy the rules and the needs of the organization can counterweight the dominant person's focus on his or her own success, and the influence-focused person's emotionalism, but the steady person needs to be pressed to be more active and creative by both parties. The influencer may benefit from the single-minded focus of the dominant individual, and learn to have more evidence to support his or her arguments, and learn more 'follow through.' From the influencer, the dominant individual can learn that much can be gained from temporarily deviating from the obvious path, while the influencer will be forced to translate his or her ideas and impressions into concrete steps from both the steady person and the dominant person.

The steady person can likewise teach the influencer about having a sense of follow-through but also show the dominant person that following rules, rather than ignoring them, can be valuable. Like the influencer, the steady type generally cares a great deal about people, and can have a positive impact upon the influencer. The influencer people-pleaser can learn how following up upon one's ideas, and being careful and meticulous does not mean sacrificing being sociable and considerate towards others.