What is DiSC
DiSC is a useful way of framing specific metaprograms that people run. DiSC can be contextual, or general. Usually we have a fairly standard theme of behaviour running through our lives, but this can flex depending on the situations. For example: we are unlikely to be High D in work, and then switch to totally High S at home. That is likely to show up as a stressor, and for that DiSC can also provide the way forward in unpicking the stress, and getting a better resolution.
Anyone who has ever used DiSC usually comes away with these ideas:
- It’s swift and easy to apply
- It’s intuitive, and when you know it – obvious
- It’s a powerful tool, both for improving outgoing communication (communicating to be understood) – and for understanding more about the people you are communicating with.
- It’s an excellent team-building tool
- It’s simply brilliant for understanding our over-used strengths, our under-used strengths, and how these can make such a difference to people.
- It’s a strength-builder, useful for boosting strengths and self-esteem
- It’s a talking-point, a brilliant tool and conversation starter, that can de-personalise a conversation so that tricky subjects can be raised and discussed.
There are many discussion documents out there about coaching styles with DiSC, but fewer perhaps around how different styles wish to be coached. Here’s a round-up of a workshop today where I asked just such a question. “When coaching is peak for you – what is important about it”.
| D We want you to be direct – speak directly Challenge us We want coaching to be action-focused Go at a good pace (faster rather than slower) Honest and clear Counterbalance us with an understanding of style Consider the impact of what is said Reflecting back – make it to the point, no waffling We like insight, we like to be process led We appreciate warmth and empathy | I We respond best to personality-based coaching We want someone we like to coach us Safe place, and time and freedom to be self We want to spend time to explore reality Goal-driven but non-directive Time and space to make sense and be ourselves We value empathy, want a like-minded coach We don’t want a coach to make assumptions Push us to use silence (or we’ll talk and talk) Understanding how WE are – awareness of emotional intelligence Clarity and results |
| C We want a safe space We like direct questions We like structure Not too many surprises from the coach Range of techniques and experiences Like to have thinking time to process ideas/thoughts. | S Relationships are important to us We want a quiet time to think We want to feel we are being listened to – evident by mirroring & paraphrasing Questioning – we like being probed and questioned, but safely and gently Challenge is OK – but only in a safe space We like time to find our own solutions. |
NOTES:
This activity was carried out on 19th November 2019, with 27 experienced coaches and coachees, in the UK. All participants and previously self-subscribed to their own DiSC behaviour style, following a workshop by Sue Haswell, qualified DiSC Trainer.
The question: “When you are the coachee, what is the best possible coaching session like for you?” was answered in groups and discussion initiated, in order to distil the general group wisdom.
More information about DiSC: https://bigresults-training.com/disc-and-mbti/disc-facilitation-and-training/
