There's a lot of benefits to gaining a deeper understanding of your behavior and leveraging your unique behavioral style, and assessments are the perfect tools to teach you how to do just that. However, what might not feel straightforward is the next step to take after realizing the thing holding you back is yourself.
Don't worry; this kind of self reflection is difficult but very valuable in the long term. Here are three ways your behavior might be holding your back from success and what you can do about it.
You're Too Invested in Your 'Type'
At the end of the day, people just want to understand themselves! They love to slot themselves and others into categories to do so. If you've felt this way in the past, you're not alone.
The Myer-Briggs assessment is so popular that people include their types in their dating profiles; it can feel like a simple shorthand for boosting understanding with others who are in the know, but that ultimately can cause more harm than good. The problem with easy answers is that they often are over simplistic — that applies when it comes to understanding behavior.
Don't put yourself in a box! There's a reason why TTI Success Insights doesn't just look at the high scores of DISC. Our behavioral continuum looks at the full spectrum of behavior and acknowledges the importance of high and low styles for each part of DISC.
For example, if you have a high I score, you might get caught up in being a Promoter or embracing the Outgoing label. If you falter in a social situation (as all people do and will from time to time!) you might start to doubt yourself and your identity. This will only cause you to doubt yourself in more situations and cause more conflict down the road.
Make sure you have a holistic view of yourself by using tools like the Behavioral Continuum! You need to pay attention to your high and low scores and this continuum will help you visualize both and do just that. Don't be afraid to change your behavior to better serve you and whatever situation you find yourself in.
You Think There's a 'Right' Way To Behave
There's a good chance you feel very strongly about your Primary style — it's your top score for a reason! However, this might lead you to feel like your style is 'correct' and others are incorrect, which will cause unnecessary conflict.
Make sure to remember that a person whose style contradicts yours is just as valid and important as you are! There's no 'right' way to interact with others beyond established social graces; if your coworkers are fast-paced and dynamic, that doesn't mean your slow pace is unimportant or that their quick nature is unimportant.
Think about the way you want to be valued and then take that approach when it comes to others. There's a lot you can learn from opposite styles, so dive in and learn more about those who are different from you! Increasing your understanding will help you avoid behavioral blindspots and make you a more well rounded individual.
You Aren't Willing To Learn About Others
This plays into the last point — you might say you value all behavioral types, but if you don't take the time to learn about them, you're limiting your understanding of others and yourself.
If your comprehension of DISC begins and ends with only your scores, then you're not getting the full picture. Don't just read your part of DISC and call things good — you need to pay attention to all behavioral types!
The good news is that we have the resources you need to gain a better understanding of all parts of DISC. Check out the DISC in Depth series:
- High D Low D: DISC and Dominance
- High I Low I: DISC and Influence
- High S Low S: DISC and Steadiness
- High C Low C: DISC and Compliance
Another way to increase your understanding of your peers is to take a team report with them and experience a team debrief together. You can learn how your style compliments others on your team, areas where you might conflict, and how to improve communication.
This guidance will help you find a sweet spot of productivity and engagement in yourself and across the team.
Transform Your Behavior With DISC
Learning about ways to improve your behavior might feel difficult at first, but it's only going to benefit you in the future. Remember, DISC is a tool for understanding — use it wisely and reap the benefits!
Becoming less invested in 'being a type', learning about other behavioral patterns, and changing your perspective will make you a more receptive and effective team member.
Are you interested in unlocking your potential with DISC or other behavioral assessment tools? TTI SI can help! Contact us here to get started.
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