We are all different as human beings, yet we are similar. The DISC model highlights this and tells you how to interact well with others. This DISC personality forms the basis of modern behavioural research.
The DISC model was developed over 90 years ago by William Marston. His main question was, "Why do people do what they do?"
The particularity of William Marston was that he was the first researcher to look at the behaviour of ordinary people. Marston used the DISC model to examine the drives and motives behind ordinary people's behaviour.
To better understand the DISC model, we use the book: Surrounded by idiots by Swedish author Thomas Erikson. More than 1.5 million copies of this book have been sold worldwide. With the DISC model, you use four different colours: red, yellow, green and blue. His first chapter aptly outlines how best to use this model. It is called: "in all communication, the receiver is the determining factor". This describes the metaphor below:
"There was once a man who was surrounded by idiots. This self-employed man because that his staff was largely made up of worthless people. He liked to let people know that even if the employees were tired of making fun of or calling someone an idiot in front of the entire company. Ericsson therefore asked this entrepreneur who appointed all these idiots?".
After this question, he himself was sent away from this company. It was clear that this entrepreneur cannot deal with people and he did not understand it either. Yet there is such a piece of misunderstanding in everyone, only that it expresses itself differently for each person. This led to his fascination with the DISC model.
The moment we understand our own personality better, we automatically understand other personalities better. Especially when you realise that we all have something of these other personalities within us.
With the DISC model, you have two different axes: namely extrovert and introvert. Also, you have task a case focused and relationship focused. The red and yellow are extrovert where the red is more task-focused in the case and the yellow is more relationship-focused. On the other side are blue and green which are both introverted, where blue is task-focused and case-focused and green is relationship-focused. Some challenging combinations are therefore red and green just like blue and yellow. These are opposites. The advantage of this is that they can learn a lot from each other. As a team, though, it is challenging to have these combinations. It is therefore important to have a well-balanced team. With different types. For readability, in this article we refer to people as him or him this can however also be her or them.
At GO Teambuilding, we have our own version of the DISC model. We use bird types as a metaphor. To indicate what the different types are. The names are obvious: the red Angry Birds, the yellow canaries, the green grass parakeet and the blue homing pigeons. To learn more about these types, we also recommend taking our workshop: the DISC Kwiz. After this afternoon, you will not only know more about yourself but also about your colleagues. This will lead to better cooperation, a better team feeling and high productivity. After all, you better understand why someone acts the way they do.
Read more about this at DISC team building page. Below is more explanation of the different behaviour types, what they entail and how best to communicate with them.
What are we going to do? Let's do it my way! Now! The red person, the red Angry Bird is a dynamic and driven individual. He has goals in life that others may struggle to achieve. Like the little birds in the eponymous game, they effortlessly fly towards their goals. Whether they achieve it is a second thing, but they fly fast and full throttle. They are task-oriented, extroverted and like big challenges. Therefore, they are fast decision-makers and they also like to take the lead. They don't know risks, they laugh at them. It is therefore no coincidence that many entrepreneurs are red personalities. They have no problem telling it like it is.
Red persons love competition and are in a hurry. You should not waste their time. After all, time is money. Thinking and doing are one. Things have to be done quickly. If you want to communicate something, you have to do it clearly and concisely. Stick to the point. Don't talk about relationships or your feelings. Stick to the "business". After that, there may be some room for small talk, but only if he starts talking about it. The business always comes before the relationship.
Want to give feedback to a red person? Then hide! The Red isn't called Angry Bird for nothing! He can roar, rant and stomp. Many people tie in when that happens. Don't do this. This is because then you will lose his respect. Tell him what you think, but only if you really know your stuff. Also focus on efficiency here, if it can cost him time or money then you have his attention. That is the best way to communicate with a red person.
Who will do this fun job? I want to be there! The yellow person, the yellow canary is optimistic. They are people who live to live and always see opportunities to enjoy. The yellow person is easy to spot: they are always talking! Like the red ones, the yellow ones make quick decisions. It felt right, that's why I did it! They are focused on relationships and extroverted, enthusiastic and creative. Everyone has to participate. Whereas the red person is very goal-oriented, for yellow this is not central. The goal also has to be achieved, but in a fun way. With as much fun as possible! Even if this is at the expense of efficiency.
The yellow canary needs to be able to flutter! He functions best when he is in a good mood. Then he is creative and has positive energy. Therefore, deliver your message with a smile! Start with the big questions and don't focus on the details yet. It is not about the message, but about the tone.
The yellow person wants something to work, it's not about how! You need to be exciting, interesting and innovative. Make sure your energy is high when you communicate something. Then convey this with open body language and, above all, smile! Time does not matter so much, as long as it is fun. Tell where you are coming from and make this visual. During a business meeting, it is best to dwell on that fun night out. It breaks the ice! Besides, the yellow chicks are very sensitive to compliments. So bring your message with happiness. That is the key to success.
How are we going to handle this? There is... no rush, right?
The green person is the most common, so basically you will encounter them everywhere. They are very good at listening and following. Initiative is barely shown. Green people often work in the public sector. They are also outspoken team players. The team group in the family are always important moment separate individual. Not everyone can be extreme, then we wouldn't get anything for Kaar. He does not set high standards for other individuals. They are just like most people. They also avoid conflicts. They usually try to adapt, which makes his into balanced people. Most employees are green persons, where a red person is more likely to be the manager. A group of persons it certainly goals, but this should not be at the expense of the general atmosphere. This is why green persons are sometimes described as indecisive. They are task-oriented and group interests always take precedence over their own.
Certainty is most important to a green person. They are risk-averse. Green budgerigars prefer to stay on the roof. Surely it can go wrong if I go fluttering? They don't plan their lives full, yet they tire quickly. Peace and quiet make him happy. It is nice to know what is going to happen next. He is not a world champion of taking initiative. Think carefully about how you criticise him. Make it clear that it is about behaviour and not the person. Then give specific instructions.
Change is scary for a green person. This is not in their nature. Something new is unfamiliar and this causes stress. So you have to break a change process into small pieces and take a few weeks to go through this. Until the insight is there. Then the green budgerigars will fly with it. You just have to ensure a soft landing and safe route. Once on their new nest, the green ones will faithfully follow the group again.
Why do we need to do this? Is there an analysis behind it? The last of the four colours is interesting. Everyone knows him. He doesn't say much but when you say it, it's an instant hit. It's all about the details. The Excel sheet is his great friend. Often this person works in the IT Industry, where it's all about the details. He calculates, analyses and works thoroughly. The blue person, the blue dove does not know everything, but what he says is usually correct. He is therefore modest, but detail-oriented. They like facts and have you understand details. This is why you have to explain a task to blue person in detail. They don't take much initiative, you really have to ask for it. Often the overall picture is missing. Therefore, sometimes the blue person can drown in details, while the red person sometimes drowns in the task. The red person goes according to progress and already does it, while the blue person wants all the questions answered before getting started. Therefore, this can also be a challenging combination.
The blue dove plans its flight meticulously. Every detail is thought of before he takes off. A blue person is very precise. You have to communicate this to him too, don't bluff, but come up with facts. Focus on the problem, not the relationship. Work with checklists and tick them off together. A blue person does not inquire about your personality. Don't do the same with him.
When conveying a message, think very factually about what it means. Don't paint a big picture, but rather details. Try to set reasonable goals. Nothing is more frustrating for a blue person, than an unachievable goal. He must be able to understand it. Not a dream, but facts. If it doesn't fit into his Excel sheet, it's not possible anyway. Want to score plus points? Then give extra in-depth material about the task. That way, you give him room to read into the material even further. There is nothing finer for a blue person, than even more facts.
Almost everyone recognises all birds. We have all the characteristics of these beautiful animals in ourselves too. Be it the red and happening, yellow canary, the green budgerigar or the blue roof pigeon. All the colours of the disc model are important. After all, they are humanity. The purpose of this article was to give you insight into that humanity. Know you have more understanding of others but also learn to understand yourself better badly. With our discretion, you will learn to work better together, show more empathy and therefore be more productive. We ask everyone to complete a test beforehand via this link. Based on this, you are assigned to a team, which then leads to a merry battle between the different colours. On the basis of tasks that suit your colour, you will compete with the other colours. This way, you not only have fun, but you also get to know each other better. This way, you get to understand each other better and life becomes a lot more fun!
Questions or comments based on this article? Please feel free to send us a message at our Linkedin page or mail to info@goteambuilding.nl
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Sources:
Book: Surrounded by idiots. Thomas Erikson
DISC image Google: https://timemanagement.nl/disc-model/
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