Fried

We had a crazy day yesterday at work and we were so fried, we needed up going to bed at 9pm last night. In the morning, we had a team-building event where we did DiSC profiles for everyone… we had done this before but since we have doubled in size and have so many new people, we felt it was a good time to do it again. I think we were right, because I saw the new people having “a-ha” moments left and right.

Since I am lazy… I will copy and paste this very energetic marketing statement as to exactly what DiSC is:

DiSC® is the original, oldest, most validated, reliable, personal assessment used by over 50 million others to improve lives, interpersonal relationships, work productivity, teamwork, and communication!

(Basically, you pick the word that most suits you in a work situation from groups words and in this almost freaky way, it classifies you into different categories, each starting with a D, I, S or C.)

Dominance: People who score high in the intensity of the ‘D’ styles factor are very active in dealing with problems and challenges, while low D scores are people who want to do more research before committing to a decision. High “D” people are described as demanding, forceful, egocentric, strong willed, driving, determined, ambitious, aggressive, and pioneering. Low D scores describe those who are conservative, low keyed, cooperative, calculating, undemanding, cautious, mild, agreeable, modest and peaceful.

Influence: People with High I scores influence others through talking and activity and tend to be emotional. They are described as convincing, magnetic, political, enthusiastic, persuasive, warm, demonstrative, trusting, and optimistic. Those with Low I scores influence more by data and facts, and not with feelings. They are described as reflective, factual, calculating, skeptical, logical, suspicious, matter of fact, pessimistic, and critical.

Steadiness: People with High S styles scores want a steady pace, security, and don’t like sudden change. Low S intensity scores are those who like change and variety. High S persons are calm, relaxed, patient, possessive, predictable, deliberate, stable, consistent, and tend to be unemotional and poker faced. People with Low S scores are described as restless, demonstrative, impatient, eager, or even impulsive.

Conscientiousness: Persons with High C styles adhere to rules, regulations, and structure. They like to do quality work and do it right the first time. High C people are careful, cautious, exacting, neat, systematic, diplomatic, accurate, tactful. Those with Low C scores challenge the rules and want independence and are described as self-willed, stubborn, opinionated, unsystematic, arbitrary, and careless with details.

If you haven’t guessed already, I am a very high C. I also have a lot of I in me, that is kind of a strange combination… and continues to prove my introvert/extrovert personality.

Bryan is a high I with a secondary D. Exactly the same as Mary (my business partner) and Dave (Mary’s husband, and our research director). No wonder they gang up on me so often.

One of the highlights of the day was when we split up into our respective letter groups and brainstormed ways to better communicate with us. For example, the C’s all universally preferred email, to allow “process time.” And on the opposite side of the coin, the I’s prefer face to face meetings to hash it all out at once.

All in all a very good 1/2 day of team-building. Then, the rest of my day was spent on 4 successive meetings – so, given my C-ness… you can imagine how fried I was last night – and ready for a state of vegetation!