Understanding your Behavioral Style
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.”
Lao Tzu
Last week I introduced a formula with three steps that are a MUST for building on the successes you have already achieved. Today we are going to discuss the first Step, Understanding your Behavioral Style. Research shows that the majority of people in corporations, who are terminated for cause, have difficulty interacting and communicating with their peers, subordinates and superiors. In most cases, it’s not their deficiency in technical job skills, it’s their inability to understand how to interact with others. How, then, do we learn to communicate with others even though we cannot relate to their thinking and ways of doing things? People who truly want to be seen as “Leading Achievers” consistently work on discovering and understanding their actions, motives and beliefs.
Everyone has blind spots when it comes to seeing how they behave, think and perform. These are called scotomas. Our belief systems affect our behaviors and actions towards ourselves and others. Scotomas limit us, because we cannot see how our belief systems are affecting our behaviors. For example, we may not be able to see our strengths because of poor beliefs about ourselves, or how we treat others because of certain false beliefs we hold about certain types of people and their behaviors.
Become committed to discovering and letting go of the beliefs you have, which get in the way of your performance. Work on yourself by doing personal inventories. To help with blind spots, find a mentor, coach or support group that will help you “see what you cannot see”.
There are many behavioral assessments available that will help you understand your behaviors and reactions. One instrument is the DISC. I am certified in it and have worked with hundreds of people to help them with self-discovery and better communication with others. It’s a great way to get started. If you are truly interested in learning more about the DISC, contact me about the many ways you can experience the DISC inexpensively and enhance your existing success.
Stand Strong.
