Four DISC Social Styles

DISC Personality Types – Four Interesting Side Notes into the Study of Human Nature

DISC Personality Types Article (Part One)

DISC Personality Types Article (Part Two)

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DISC Personality Types – A few interesting side notes # 1:

Much later in his life, Dr. Marston created “Wonder Woman” while serving as an educational consultant for DC Comics.  Authoring  the Wonder Woman comic, Marston used a pen name: Charles Moulton.

The desire to understand the reasons for our diverse behavior has been an age-old preoccupation.  The explanations of the ancients were interesting:

DISC Personality Types – A few interesting side notes # 2:

Empedocles (444 B.C.), the founder of a school of medicine in Sicily, believed that everything is made of earth, air, fire, and water. These external elements combine in an infinite number of ways, thus explaining the diversity of behavior.

DISC Personality Types – A few interesting side notes # 3:

In 400 B.C. the Greek physician Hippocrates came to the conclusion that it is not external factors that shape behavior. He disagreed with many of his day who believed human behavior was determined by being born under a certain astrological configuration of planets. Hippocrates theorized that it was something that takes place “inside” the individual. 

DISC Personality Types – A few interesting side notes # 4:

Hippocrates believed that if people had a fast, hot fluid running inside their body, they would be direct, decisive, and a leadership-type person. If one had a fluid that was warm and slow, that person would be family- and relationship-oriented.         

Even though Hippocrates’ ‘blood theory’ didn’t hold much water, it was the first substantial method for identifying and grouping types of human behavior. 

DISC Personality Types Article (Part One)

DISC Personality Types Article (Part Two)

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a DISC Article by Dean Lindsay (part one)

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Author of The Progress Challenge : Working and Winning in a World of Change

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We each have our own style, our own way we like to communicate with others (different strokes for different folks).  This is a basic human fact.  Each interaction with other people requires you to assess the situation from a fresh perspective. 

It is also a fact that we need to connect when we meet someone.  Unfortunately, a tremendous amount of human energy is used unproductively in talking past or “at” each other.  We often fail to make a real connection with someone because we have a set of behavioral preferences that do not mesh with those of the person on the other side of our bifocals.

Progress agents can utilize a keen awareness of individual behavioral differences and, without being chameleons, modify their own preferences to make a favorable impression and build powerful working relationships. 

Even though we are all unique, most people do fit into a certain style or predictable pattern of behavior.  People with similar styles tend to exhibit specific types of behavior common to that style.  Such patterns of behavior influence how people prefer to communicate and interact.    

“Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image.”  – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 Behavioral / Social Styles Training is Powerful Stuff – a DiSC Training Article by Dean Lindsay

We need to strive to understand and embrace these different behavioral styles.  This makes us better able to interact with other folks, even those who appear to be very different and sometimes hard to understand.  When we identify the behavioral differences in ourselves and others, we can adapt our style to create a comfortable environment for the person we are speaking with.

 A solid understanding of the DISC behavioral model is useful for delivering solid first impressions.  DISC measures observable behavior and emotions.  The development of the DISC model is based on the work of American psychologist Dr. William Marston, an expert in behavioral styles. 

 In 1926, Marston published The Emotions of Normal People, in which he grouped people along two lines: either active or passive tendencies relative to their favorable or unfavorable view of the environment and their relationship to that environment. 

Say what?  Here is a view of DISC from 30,000 feet:

Some people are Reserved and some are Outgoing.

One type is not better than the other.

 Some people are People-Oriented and some are Task-Oriented.

One type is not better than the other.

 Each of us is a unique blend of:

Reserved or Outgoing, mixed with the quality of being People-Focused or Task-Focused.

 Marston’s DISC research showed how behavioral characteristics may be grouped into four fundamental styles (D.I.S.C.):

Dominance

Influence

Steadiness

Conscientiousness

Recognize and respect individual nuances, make adjustments, use good judgment, and adapt.  Learning and incorporating the DISC model of behavior is valuable for increasing trust and keeping communication open. 

In my work with individuals and within organizations, I have had the opportunity to research and utilize several useful educational tools based on the DISC model.  Feel free to contact me for further information on our customized DISC training program.

More on on Behavioral / Social Styles Training and DISC in the next post.

Be Progress.

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 Behavioral / Social Styles Training is Powerful Stuff – a DiSC Training Article by Dean Lindsay

10 Ponder & Progress Questions from The Progress Challenge: Working and Winning in a World of Change by Dean Lindsay.

Dean’s Progress Challenge is being Published 2/4/10 – Advanced Copies available here.

Ponder & Progress:  Progress or Change?

“We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”

– C.S. Lewis 

1.  What transitions are most significant in the world?

2.  What transitions do you see in your professional life?

3.  What transitions are shaping your personal life?

4.  How can you focus on daily progress?

5.  What “next big thing” means progress for you?

6.  What “next big thing” would not be progress for you?

7.  What are you striving for?

8.  What’s next?  Why?

9.  What does progress mean to you? 

10. Which parts of your life are progressing and which are merely changing?  

Be Progress.

PART ONE LINK   PART TWO LINK

 A Couple of endorsements for Dean Lindsay’s The Progress Challenge: Working and Winning in a World of Change

“Everyone has a purpose in life. Nobody is here by chance.  Focusing on the positive and self motivating drivers will move you down the road of progress to realize your true purpose.  Reading The Progress Challenge will help direct you down the correct road.”
– Scott O’Grady
Former USAF Fighter Pilor
Bosnian War Survivor

 “Part Drucker, part Dyer, part Dilbert — The Progress Challenge is an entertaining and practical guide on how to achieve success in business and follow your bliss.”
– Janet Gellici
CEO, American Coal Council

Copies of The Progress Challenge available here.

For Bulk purchase discounts call: 214-457-5656

Contact Dean Lindsay about your next event.

PART ONE LINK

Insight from The Progress Challenge: Working and Winning in a World of Change by Dean Lindsay, the Find Progress in Change Speaker

Dean’s Progress Challenge is being Published 2/4/10 – Advanced Copies available here.

When a new opportunity comes our way, we internalize it, and size it up as Progress or Change.  This new opportunity could be starting a new relationship, buying an electronic gadget, working extra hours on a project, getting up to speed on a new product line, working to meet quota, anything.  All progress is change, but not all change is progress.   

Let’s say I have an upset stomach. “Man, I’ve got a stomachache.  Ouch!  My stomach is killing me.  This has got to change.”

Somebody hears me, walks over, and punches me in the nose.  Is that change?  Yeah, it’s change.  But it’s not progress.  Well, maybe to the person who punched me, but not to me.

What may seem like progress (good) to one person or group of people may seem like change (bad) to another. Propaganda, book burning, even war and murder are all thought of as “progress” at some point in the minds of the perpetrators (scary).  Because progress is subjective, there is no single factor that clearly determines whether an event represents progress or change. 

However, we can say that we:

• Start businesses to progress, not change 

• Hire employees to progress, not change

• Work on teams to progress, not change

• Make the tough choices and the tough phone calls to progress, not change

• Keep our cool when dealing with belligerent customers to progress, not change

• Cross the road to progress, not change

• Answer the phone to progress, not change

• Spend our hard-earned money to progress, not change. (We would rather keep our change than change, but will offer our best to progress.)

• Diet and exercise to progress, not change

As we age we realize that slowing change can be progress.  Think of the forty-year-old swimmer who manages to equal her performance from five years before. Maintenance is progress in that it avoids change for the worse. 

We do not want life-changing products, services, experiences, ideas, and opportunities. We want life-progressing products, services, experiences, ideas and opportunities.We should be careful not to mistake mere change for progress.  Just because something is new or flashy does not mean it is right or adds meaning to our lives.  And as my friend and fellow author Shama Hyder says, we do live in a “next big thing” world.  However, because all progress is change, people who claim to be 100% “resistant to (any) change” are often choosing to be resistant to the possibility of progress.

CHANGE & PROGRESS Questions to Ponder in Next Post.

Be Progress.

PART ONE LINK

 Three endorsements for Dean Lindsay’s The Progress Challenge: Working and Winning in a World of Change

“The Progress Challenge is a much needed kick in the pants for all of us. Dean Lindsay’s witty words and questions will wake up your sleeping intentions and challenge you to move forward with purpose in your life. What an enlightening book!”
– Ken Blanchard,
coauthor of The One Minute Manager®
and Leading at a Higher Level
 
“The Progress Challenge is an excellent guide to both personal and professional success.  The book helps the reader understand that change is inevitable, yet progress is a choice.  In Lindsay’s words…”be progress”.”
– Jim Keyes
CEO, Blockbuster

“If you desire to become a better leader, I recommend you add Dean Lindsay’s The Progress Challenge to your leadership toolkit.  I especially liked the insight into the life and work of Viktor Frankl as well as Dean’s use of humor throughout the book – a valuable and enjoyable read.  The Progress Challenge is an honorable challenge that anyone aiming to make a positive difference should take.”
– Ramon F. Baez
Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Copies of The Progress Challenge available here.

For Bulk purchase discounts call: 214-457-5656

Contact Dean Lindsay about your next event.

Insight from The Progress Challenge: Working and Winning in a World of Change by Dean Lindsay, the Find Progress in Change Speaker

Dean’s Progress Challenge is being Published 2/4/10 – Advanced Copies available here.

“It is not strange … to mistake change for progress.”

– Millard Fillmore (13th U.S. President)

Change happens. We can’t avoid change.

• New technologies are created.

• Markets bear and bull.

• Companies merge.

• Organizations come together.

• Children are born.

• Rain falls. Tides turn. Lives evolve.

We are always in some form of transition, always arriving at some new place and dealing with new rollouts, new ideas, new everything. The very molecules inside the cells of our bodies are in constant flux. Our world and our lives are always changing, but they are not always progressing. It is natural to resist what we view as change. However, we embrace what we view as progress.

Progress means: forward movement, advance, gradual betterment. It takes awareness, character, discipline, and effort to progress.

Change is inevitable, Progress is a choice.

The word progress carries a forward thrust and focus, a vibrant and transcendent quality that the words change and even success don’t deliver. With every success comes the desire for more success.

When we reach a goal, our natural ambitiousness tells us that the goal is also the stepping stone to the next, possibly more rewarding and worthwhile, goal. Therefore, every success establishes a new norm, and brings with it the question: What next?

The road to success is always under construction. We are always striving for something. (I will share that the something I am referring to is not a person, place, or thing, but rather a feeling. A mixture of six feelings, to be exact, but we will deal with that soon enough.) Continual striving can become quite unpleasant and unhealthy if we do not take time to soak in the positive buzz – feelings – from our forward momentum.

When we focus on daily progress, we are able to feel daily satisfaction. With every forward step, we see more clearly, our confidence grows, our position improves, and our options multiply. We progress toward today’s goal on the strength of our past progress. Once achieved, today’s goal becomes tomorrow’s launching pad.

“Out of every fruition of success, no matter what, comes forth something to make a new effort necessary.” 

– Walt Whitman

More on Progress and Change in the next post.

Be Progress.

Quick shout out to Alex Pope

 If he were among us today, eighteenth-century English poet Alexander Pope would likely be one popular guy on Facebook. It was he who wrote the lofty words, “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” Pope is said to be the third most frequently quoted writer in the English language, after Shakespeare and Tennyson.

Alexander may not be on Facebook, but I am, and would be happy to add you as a friend.

Friend me at: www.facebook.com/DeanLindsay2468

I am on Twitter too: www.Twitter.com/DeanLindsay

 Three endorsements for Dean Lindsay’s The Progress Challenge: Working and Winning in a World of Change

“Finally a meaningful book with a workable process for progress.”
– Gerhard Gschwandtner
Founder and Publisher
Selling Power Magazine

“Stop the management fads and the ‘program of the month.’  In The Progress Challenge, Dean Lindsay captures the issues and presents real, relevant, actionable solutions to the challenge of driving continual progress in business and life.” 
– Tim McRay
Leadership and Diversity
Mercedes-Benz Financial

“The Progress Challenge should be mandatory reading.  In a time of economic slowdown, innovation and new approaches become even more important. Dean Lindsay gets it absolutely right and if we could all follow his advice the global business world would be a better place.  Dean is an inspiration for any business leader whether in the USA or in Europe – a true Progress Agent.”
– Birger Husted (Prague, Czech Republic)
Partner, UniqueConsult

Copies of The Progress Challenge available here.

For Bulk purchase discounts call: 214-457-5656

Contact Dean Lindsay about your next event.

Dawnmarie Simpson (a Facebook friend in Washington DC) asked me a very interesting and unique question on my FB wall this fine morning. 

Dawn wrote, “Dean – if you could offer one UNUSUAL tip to me today…what would it be?”

What a fine topic for a blog post and possible discussion.

Here are Ten Unusual Tips from me.  Add yours, maybe this could be the beginning of something cool.

Ten Unusual Tips # 1:  Eat only fruit until noon. (this is the answer I shot back to Dawn)

Ten Unusual Tips #2:   After your running shoes get too worn to run it, lose the shoelaces, cut out the tounges and use them as backyard/garden shoes.

Ten Unusual Tips #3:  Utilize your local library’s website and HOLD progam.

Ten Unusuals Tips #4:  See the film, The Hurt Locker.

Ten Unusual Tips #5:  Run to upbeat music from your late teen years.

Ten Unusual Tips #6:  Read the book, The Progress Challenge by me (Cracking the Networking CODE is worth a read too).

Ten Unusual Tips #7:  Check out the bands Cento-Matic and Mingo Fishtrap.

Ten Unusual Tips #8:  When near Detroit (Dearborn to be exact), be sure and visit the Henry Ford Musuem.

Ten Unsuual Tips #9:  For a fresh fast healthier dinner – Mix Wendy’s Chili with black beans, brown rice and top with slices of fresh avacado.

Ten Unusual Tips # 10:  Add your Unusual Tips to this blog post and watch some someting interesting happen.

What you got?  No guidelines.   Bring on your unusual life tips, unusual business tips, unusual entertainment, unusual travel tips, unusual sales tips, unusual relationship tips, unusual customer service tips, unusual ideas, unusual leadership tips, unusual health tips, unusual finance tips, and unusual whatever tips.  You get the idea, no guidelines. 

Thanks Dawnmarie Simpson!!

Be Progress.

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Part One of Proven Places to Network
Part Two of Proven Places to Network

Funny Video from Dean on Remembering Names!!

11. Kiwanis, Rotary, AMBUCS, Lions, Elks, Moose
(I know there is an animal joke in there somewhere.) Do good for the community while you build relationships. Rock-solid plan. Here it really pays to serve as a leader.

12.  Workshops, Classes, and Seminars
Take every chance to learn more and make yourself better. Other people committed to jogging the road to success will be there too. Contribute ideas. Ask questions. Look for a list of upcoming workshops in your local business journal’s calendar of events. Expect a higher grade of professionals at the workshops and seminars that are sponsored by area business journals.

13. College Associations
Having common backgrounds makes for easy conversations and many really get a kick out of helping an alum of their university.

14. Leads Groups
The great thing about leads groups is that they are focused on lead generation for their members. Expect events held by leads groups to be more intense than the rest of the networking options on this list.Make sure you check out the membership roster before you join. If there are some members who are in your line of work, you will probably want to join another leads group. They may not even let you join if there is already someone in your category. Also, find out what the member obligations are, and ask some of the members how much business they have generated from being a member.

15. Cultural Events
Meet some people with style and taste. Theater, symphony, art exhibits, rodeos, tractor pulls…

 16. Volunteer
A great way to gain visibility and develop relationships is through volunteering with any of the above-listed groups. Almost all these groups could use a hand. Step out and step up. Look for volunteer jobs that will provide you opportunities to show off your skills and personality, and meet and interact with new contacts. You increase your impact as well as the potential for new contacts when you actively participate.

Volunteer to:
- Serve on committees. You can help shape the association’s policy, as well as work closely with and learn from other experts.

- Chair a committee or run for office. Let people experience your leadership, communication, and organizational skills in action.

- Work the reception desk. You will meet people as they sign in.

- Help direct people to the right rooms at a large convention (often called being a people mover).

- Be a greeter. The greeter spot is ideal for the self-diagnosed shy, because the title alone forces you to connect. Plus, as a greeter there is an automatic assumption that you are “in the know” and others will naturally come to you for info and help.

- Join the board. You will connect with key industry leaders and gain a reputation as a leader yourself.

Crack the Neworking CODE.

Be Progress.

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PROVEN PLACES TO NETWORK (PART TWO)

from Cracking the Networking CODE by Dean Lindsay

CLICK HERE FOR PART ONE

8. Hobby/Passion
Join groups that offer possibilities for making contacts and achieving personal growth: art appreciation, dancing, chess, astronomy, wine and food clubs, etc. You will meet others with similar interests who are ready to network. Go to meetings that feature discussions on a topic you’re interested in.

9. Golf/ Sports
Golf has long been the sport for business networking. So if you’re a somewhat decent swinger, tee up. Jerry Lindsay (successful business owner, avid golfer, and a great dad) offers these words of caution: “The way a person relates to golf mirrors the way they relate to business. So putt everything out, play the ball where it lies, let faster players play through, do not throw clubs, and most of all, do not cheat.” Other sports work fine for networking, too. The key is to find a sport you are interested in, and get involved.

10. Spiritual Organizations
I am NOT suggesting that you join a church or synagogue only for the business opportunities. But let’s face it – many solid business relationships are forged in the pews and folding chairs of spiritual organizations. Go for the right reasons and let your light shine. Hide it under a bushel? No. You’ve got to let it shine.

More to Come.

Be Progress. Share and Enjoy:

]]> http://deanlindsay.com/business-networking/book-top-tips-free-best-speaker/feed/ 0 http://deanlindsay.com/business-networking/book-top-tips-free-best-speaker/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotivationalKeynoteSpeaker/~3/Cjd7UMtzU50/ http://deanlindsay.com/business-networking/free-networking-sales-tips-business-keynote-speaker-dallas-event-places/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:49:58 +0000 Dean Lindsay http://deanlindsay.com/?p=1700 Proven Places to Network & Build Priceless Business Relationships (Part One)

Free Sales Tips

from  Business Keynote Speaker Dean Lindsay

Author of The Progress Challenge and

Cracking the Networking CODE

In these tough economic times, priceless business relationships are VITAL!  We should consider opening relationships everywhere we go.  On Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.  On Golden Pond and even on the Bridge on the River Kwai.  (Sorry, I got carried away and my movie references got a tad silly.)  Anyway, you get the point.  Relationships are important and start by connecting with others. 

To make connecting easier and more focused, look for groups and events where “networking” is encouraged.  People expect to exchange cards and meet new people at these types of gatherings, so go expecting to make some contacts. 

However watch out…too many people go to business networking events with the wrong focus and try to force their service down your throat.  If you are not on the top of your game, you will end up stoically listening to a bunch of pitches instead of getting the person to have a real conversation. 

It is best not to consider joining any business organizations unless you are committed to being an active member for at least one year, building priceless business relationsips takes time.

Also, it is possible to spend a bunch of dinero on joining networking groups, so consider your affiliations carefully.  Call and ask if you can attend as a visitor.  Most allow at least one free visit. 

Again, you SHOULD network everywhere and anywhere.  There are plenty of places that offer networking possibilities.  ALSO…consider START your own networking group. What follows is by no means a complete list, but these suggestions can lead to other opportunities.  Here are the first five of 16 proven places to network.  More to follow in upcoming posts.

5 Proven Places to Network:

1.  Organizations to Which You Already Belong 

The first place to start networking is in the organizations you already belong to.  Anywhere you are already connected: your homeowners’ association, office parties, Sunday school class, PTA, workout club, sports groups, political party meetings, Junior League.  Anywhere. 

2.  Professional Trade Associations  

Your professional trade association can put you in touch with colleagues in your field.  Cultivate relationships with other members, tap into their expertise, discuss industry concerns, and swap ideas.  These are the best organizations for learning about your industry, your customers, and your competition.

Check out your membership directory to find experts in the profession.  Contact them for advice or ideas.  The sooner you get involved in your trade association, the sooner your name will get out there.  Serve on committees, contribute articles to the group’s publication, speak at conferences, run for the board.  Learn and practice new skills at educational seminars.  You can learn how to use emerging technologies and catch up on the techniques.  Read the association’s newsletter for tips on how to succeed and use the full benefits of membership.  Contact supplier members.  They can tell you about new products and services in your industry.

3.  State and National Trade Shows, Conventions, and Conferences

Business and industry trade shows, conventions, and conferences have great potential as really solid places to network.  However, a bewildering number of people never take advantage of these solid opportunities even when they go, because they treat the trip as a much deserved paid vacation instead of one of the best spots in the cosmos to make new contacts.  This is not the place to let your hair down and get your groove on.     

Some of the big trade shows bring in buyers and sellers from around the globe.  So much potential!  At breakfast, lunch, dinner, and networking activities, meet as many people as possible, get their cards and stay in touch.  Study the schedule and ask the organizers for a list of attendees before you go.  Formulate a plan to make it a valuable investment of time and money.  (See pages 73-76 of Cracking the Networking CODE for tips on running a successful trade show booth.)

At conventions, try contacting keynoters and concurrent-session presenters ahead of time.  Most often we speakers are from out of town and do not know anyone, so invite us to sit with you during lunch, or schedule time for a cup of coffee.  At least introduce yourself to the presenters and those sitting around you. 

4.  Trade Organizations of Your Best Customers

If the fine people who already use your services belong to these organizations, would it not be safe to assume that other members might want to use your services as well?  See if you can present a breakout session or seminar on something related to your work.

5.  Chamber of Commerce

They don’t call them Chambers of Commerce for nothing.  More than likely, your Chamber of Commerce is your best local networking source, but only if you’re active and informed.  Most Chambers welcome guests at functions but are usually only interested in recommending their members.  The upside is that you can join as a business or as an individual. 

Chambers sponsor networking activities like after-hours mixers, business-networking breakfasts, luncheons, and even leads groups.  Chamber events are great forums for sharpening your skills and opening face-to-face relationships. 

More to come.

Be Progress.

Click for Info on Cracking the Networking CODE