If you had a tool that could further enhance your ability to lead others, would you use it? The DISC Assessment tool can help identify your leadership style and predict how you prefer to lead.
What does your style of leadership say about you? Steve Jobs, Mahatma Gandhi, Richard Branson, Warren Buffet, and Margaret Thatcher were all famous leaders, but their styles were very different. Why were they all remembered for their management style?
First off, many of us want to know what the best DISC style for a leader is? The simplest answer is, there is no best DISC style which automatically identifies a highly successful leader. The most revered leaders are the ones who embrace their behavioral style; they understand their strengths and weaknesses. In addition, they can effectively adjust their style to meet the situational demands of their environment. Think of Steve Jobs. It is well known that he had a dictatorial, and arrogant style. Yet, he was also able to bring forth his charismatic and communicative style when it came time to marketing his products to the public.
DISC Leadership Styles
DISC helps to identify the preferred ways people lead.
D-styles are "Things" leaders. They often see people as another resource and they prefer to lead from a position of power. D-styles are more likely to be risk-takers and tend to thrive in fast-paced, changing environments. However, in order to be even more effective leaders, they may need to focus on interacting better with others and slowing down.
I-styles are "People" leaders who lead by their charisma and creating a positive atmosphere. People leaders want and need lots of people interactions. In order to further succeed, they may need to stay focused on tasks and not make decisions based on popularity.
S-styles are "Small Group" leaders who prefer to focus on a participative approach and relies on tried and true methods. S-style leaders are most comfortable maintaining routines. They could further improve by learning to move and decide more quickly, being flexible to change, and thinking "outside the box".
C-styles are also "Things" leaders like the D-styles, but they prefer to focus on proven facts and analyses. C-style leaders tend to lead from a distance and make decisions based on standards and rules. They can further improve as leaders by being less data-driven, more people-focused, and more open to unpredictability and change.
Ideal Leadership Style?
Leaders comes in all styles. The most effective style to lead others is dependent on the various roles and situations required of the leader. In short, there is no ideal way to lead.
Leaders need to interact well interact with others. The ability to effectively relate, communicate, influence, and motivate employees is a crucial management skill. In addition, they need to able to develop successful relationships with subordinates, customers, prospects, colleagues, and stakeholders. The role of a leader also includes planning, organizing, managing, and staffing. There are times a leader needs to have a more charismatic, decisive, supportive, or quality-focused style. Hence, leaders wear many hats and the most effective ones are those who have the ability to adjust to their various roles.
Key to Being an Effective Leader
We all have a preferred way of doing things, but the key to being a highly effective leader is confident self-awareness. These leaders are keenly aware of their behavioral strengths. They do not overuse them, but instead maximize and manage them effectively. In addition, they are keenly aware of their development areas and do not ignore them. Instead, they own the areas they are not comfortable in and will find efficient ways to develop or manage them
For example, if you are most comfortable when you focus on interacting with others and building relationships, then you may need to make a conscious adjustment when faced with goal-oriented tasks and detailed report data.
How DISC Supports Your Effectiveness as a Leader
The DISC report predicts how you prefer to do things. For example, how does someone with your DISC profile tend to show up under pressure, make decisions, and manage your teams?
Highly effective leaders are aware they need to constantly modify their behaviors in all interactions and situations. They understand that to lead, motivate and influence their employees, they must identify their leadership style and modify accordingly. They are mindful and present. Our DISC profiles can provide supporting information about ourselves and others, which furthers our ability to lead effectively.
Everyone has the capacity to be a highly successful leader, regardless of one's behavioral style. We have found successful leaders are already doing many things well. However, leaders can keep building on their successes by further developing their behavioral awareness.
