We have all been there. There is someone at work who you just don’t gel with. You both approach things differently, communicate in different ways and value different things. You just can't connect with them. And despite your best efforts and even adapting your approach, you fall short. Soon enough, tension and conflict start to bubble up in the relationship. Sound familiar?
If you're nodding your head, then this blog post is a great place to start. I discuss
how personalities impact workplace relationships
how to understand your unique personality (DISC)
how to bring that into the workplace to improve relationships
how to get started with DISC profiling
Keep reading to learn more.
The basics: we're all individuals
In most cases, workplace conflict stems from the fact that we all have different personalities. Yes, we all offer different things to the workplace - and to a business, as a whole. But how do those personalities work together?
Think about how personalities impact work relationships. The very thing that makes you 'you' can cement - or break - relationships. But when we know ourselves - when we are self-aware - we can embrace this and reflect this on others too. So, I want to ask you...
How well do you know yourself?
For example, do you know the answers to these questions?
Do you know where you get your energy from?
Do you prefer completing tasks or socialising with others?
What motivates you?
What challenges you?
How do you like to communicate?
What are your personal strengths?
What are your personal growth areas?
What environment do you work best in?
The list of questions goes on!
When we understand more about ourselves, we become more consciously aware of our preferences, our choices, our patterns, our triggers and our behaviours. And this is helpful. The more self-aware we are, the better prepared we can be for interactions and situations at work - or at home. Having insight into your own personality is very powerful - as it can be a huge part of your personal growth. You become armed with the knowledge to help you adapt your approach or reactions to others. So, the big question is...
How can you understand more about your personality?
And the personality of others - or, more specifically, those that you work with.
Well, this is where I come in.
I am an accredited DISC practitioner
Ok, what’s that, I hear you ask? DISC is a behavioural profiling tool, and over a million people in the workplace each year use it to better understand their and others' communication and relationship styles at work.
There are 4 different personality styles in DISC. Unsurprisingly they are:
D, which stands for dominance
I, which stands for inspiration
S, which stands for steadiness
C, which stands for compliance
We are all a blend of each of these styles, and we each have stronger preferences for some styles than others. This blend is what makes up our personality and what makes us all different.
What happens when you complete a DISC profile?
You'll get an individual report. The insights found within your individual report are unique to you, and they give you an understanding of your personality traits, preferences, motivations, strengths and areas for growth. You can then use these insights as a conversation starter for personal reflection and coaching conversations with a professional. You can also look to share your DISC style with colleagues, and this is where the magic starts to happen!
How does DISC improve your relationships with colleagues?
By sharing your DISC personality and building awareness with others on how you like to interact - and how you like to be communicated with - people better understand you, and pieces of the puzzle start to make better sense.
Clients I do this with then start to see significant improvements in their working relationships and interactions & performance. Less conflict, enhanced performance, better collaboration and productivity often follow.
By doing this exercise as a team, you can also start to build awareness of each other's style preferences, allowing you to adapt your responses and behaviour towards people and situations. This, in turn, means each team member starts to modify their approach or response to those they are interacting with - as they know each other better. The results? Better team and stakeholder relationships - and outcomes at work!
What is not to love about that?!
Are you a woman struggling with work conflict?
And it's impacting your work, career and overall happiness? Or perhaps, you're simply intrigued to start to get to know yourself better? And think how powerful better relationships with others at work could be!
Doing your DISC profile can be an amazing step forward - there is so much to gain from knowing your personality and how it functions in the workplace.
Comments