Welcome back, busy business owners! You already know that my world revolves around boosting productivity and mastering the art of delegation. But what you might not know is that there’s another tool in my toolbox that I absolutely geek out about – DiSC.

I stumbled upon a DiSC assessment in 2000 –  and it became my decoder ring, allowing me to “categorize” people into four distinct areas: D, i, S, and C.  It gave me a sneak peek into their brains – a way to almost predict how people might react in different situations. In the early days, when I didn’t have much experience,  this extra insight helped me lead teams with a bit more confidence.

Fast forward to 2020, when I decided to dive deeper into my DiSC education and become a certified Wiley DiSC professional. This was a game-changer when it came to helping business owners and teams understand each other’s “Zones of Genius.” You see, the better they understand each other, the more productive they can be! 

But, here’s a little secret I have to confess…

I used to apologize for my own DiSC style – the ‘C’ style, which tends to be the most analytical and reserved of the styles. Yep, you read that right. I’d constantly find myself saying, “I’m sorry, can you slow down? I need more detail.” I’d be the one asking a ton of questions, often feeling like the odd one out. I’d even question whether my style was a hindrance.

Honestly, I used to be a bit envious of the other DiSC styles. You know, the ones who thought lightning-fast, focused on the big picture, and started a gazillion things all at once. Then there’s me – processing things slowly, spotting logic gaps, and needing to connect the dots meticulously.

I often felt like the outlier, especially during meetings and on boards. But, guess what? It turned out that being a ‘C’ style served me brilliantly. I built a thriving business by collaborating with folks who thought differently from me. Those fast thinkers needed someone like me to scrutinize the details, while I needed them to light a fire under me from time to time!

This DiSCovery helped me finally stop apologizing for just being me and start embracing my unique style. Being a ‘C’ style enhances the work I do with my clients, and it brings a unique value to the boards and committees I serve on.

DiSC taught me a vital lesson – we all bring our distinct skills to the table. As a team, we need people of all DiSC styles to create a well-rounded, harmonious group. Our diverse styles complement each other in the most remarkable ways.

As a business owner, leader, or team member, DiSC can be your secret weapon. It enables you to navigate the intricate world of personalities and enhance your interactions. It’s a tool that makes you not just good but great at what you do.

In the end, it’s all about embracing our uniqueness and finding the magic in our differences. That’s what DiSC helps us do – create incredible teams that achieve remarkable things together. And remember, in the world of DiSC, every style has its own superpower. Cheers to being your awesome self!