How do you feel about people who like to be in charge and boss you around? Are you one of those people?
This begins a series of articles on how to communicate with people who have behavioral styles that are different from your own: people who can be intimidating, maddening, confusing, or downright irritating. The four DISC behavioral styles are based on the model defined by psychologist William Moulton Marston in his book, The emotions of normal people.
THE D STYLE (DOMINANCE)
In this article, we will better understand how to deal with people who have a high D (Dominance) behavior style. The D factor in our behavior profile determines how we handle problems and challenges. Dominant Dan has no problem running the show. If you have a strong Core D style (Dominance is your highest factor), you will tend to be demanding, daring, driving, pioneering, direct, competitive, and determined. Dan must have an authority equal to his responsibility in any situation; if not, he will find a way to take control sometimes to your detriment.
Dominant Dan has qualities that others with the same style admire; however, those who are low in Factor D view them as passive or even unpleasant behavior. They include a willingness to take risks and a strong desire to win. Dan is results oriented, argumentative and quick to challenge. He doesn’t mind making mistakes; he will just correct them and move on.
D-STYLE LIMITATIONS
If you’re like Dan, you need to know the areas where you’re limiting your effectiveness. For example, he may act or speak before thinking, be impatient, create fear in others, try to juggle too much at once, interrupt, and not listen well.
If you have a low D factor, you tend to be peaceful, agreeable, cooperative, cautious, humble, mild-mannered. You tend to think about a situation before making a decision. So you can see how people with low D factors can be intimidated by Core D Styles, and how Dominant Dan might get impatient with them.
If you work or live with people who have a Core D style, here are some of the ways you can communicate and not communicate with them to be effective:
DO:
Be clear, specific, brief and to the point
Stick to business, prepare and get organized
be efficient
WHOSE:
Take a walk or waste time socializing
Forgetting/misplacing things or being disorganized
make decisions for them
If you don’t agree, don’t argue with them personally.
COMMUNICATION TIPS
When communicating with Dominant Dan, use direct eye contact, firm handshakes, and use linear gestures. Your attitude should be confident and your tone of voice strong, clear and direct.
Understand that this type of person wants to be in control. That doesn’t mean you have to let them dominate you; in fact, they respect those who stand up to them. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t like confrontation, understand that Dan has no problem with it and sometimes enjoys it. Don’t let him intimidate you, and yet try not to take his bossiness personally. It might help to realize that you probably do things that drive him crazy, too!
Please admire Dan, and Dana, for her ability to take charge and get results efficiently!
