BrianHimes.com
Yesterday, as part of a Volunteer Management class I’ve been attending, I took the DISC Dimensions of Behavior test. It’s one of those personality tests that I’m sure everyone has taken at some point. As expected, I most closely identified with Conscientiousness and Steadiness. I was equally low scoring on Dominance and Influence.
So, according to DISC I am:
- Motivated to achieve high personal standards
- Tend to be diplomatic and carefully weigh pros and cons
- Prefer environments with clearly defined expectations
- Motivated to create a stable, organized environment
- Tend to be patient and a good listener
- Prefer participating in a group rather than directing it and listening more than talking
I agree with all of these things; however, the roles I find myself taking on at church and in my job call me to be on the opposite end of the spectrum a lot of the time.
It’s interesting. Leadership positions call me out of my comfort level. They require me to step out of my bubble. They demand that I try to be something that doesn’t come second nature to me. But when all that is said and done, I think I usually enjoy the challenge.
What I learned from this exercise is that maybe I need to take a break from stretching myself sometimes. Maybe I need to allow myself to be Conscientious and Steady. Maybe I don’t need to take on that additional leadership role. Maybe I should just sit back, listen and be a part of the group sometimes.
It’s something to think about.
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Maybe your leadership style is more collaborative, and you could shine in that role if you used more of your SC strengths?
Interesting. I, on the other hand, AM a DI. And being part of the crowd and not taking charge is out of my comfort zone.
It’s funny, because I find that I parent and run my home as a D, and often feel bad about it, yet that’s how I’m made…
I think that’s true. And, without realizing it, I probably do that to an extent.
I think we’re too hard on ourselves sometimes because we think we need to function another way. This test made me realize that we just need to be aware of how we work and play to our strong suits. Also, it’s good to realize that others don’t necesarily function in the same way you do.