In today’s workplace, success depends not only on technical skills but also on interpersonal effectiveness. Understanding different personalities and how people prefer to work, communicate, and respond in various situations can significantly improve teamwork, communication, and productivity. One of the most powerful tools for gaining these insights is the Everything DiSC Workplace report. This model uses behavioural styles to offer valuable insights into workplace interactions, and when paired with the skill of "people reading," it becomes an even more effective tool for fostering learning and connection.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how the technique of people reading can enhance your understanding of behavioural styles as outlined in the Everything DiSC Workplace report. We'll discuss what people reading is, how the Everything DiSC model works, and how you can apply people reading to identify different behavioural styles and improve workplace relationships.
What is People Reading?
People reading refers to the ability to observe and interpret non-verbal cues, behaviours, and communication styles to understand a person’s underlying motivations, preferences, and tendencies. It involves paying attention to how people present themselves, how they respond to situations, and how they interact with others. This technique requires keen observation and emotional intelligence and goes beyond simply listening to what people say; it involves *reading* who they are through their actions.
By mastering people reading, you can gain valuable insights into someone’s personality, communication preferences, and stress responses, helping you to adapt your behaviour for smoother interactions. In the workplace, people reading allows you to recognise the behavioural styles of colleagues, managers, and clients, enhancing your ability to collaborate more effectively.
The Everything DiSC Workplace Model
The Everything DiSC Workplace model is centred around four primary behavioural styles:
1. D (Dominance): Individuals who fall into the "D" style are driven by results and action. They tend to be direct, confident, and assertive. They focus on achieving goals and may prioritise efficiency over personal relationships.
2. i (Influence): The "i" style represents people who are sociable, enthusiastic, and relationship-focused. These individuals thrive on interaction and influence those around them through charisma, optimism, and energy.
3. S (Steadiness): Those with an "S" style are often calm, dependable, and supportive. They value cooperation and stability and prefer a steady pace over rapid change. They tend to be good listeners and are generally team-oriented.
4. C (Conscientiousness): The "C" style includes individuals who are analytical, detail-oriented, and systematic. They prioritise accuracy and precision and often focus on processes and standards. They may be more reserved, preferring to work independently or in quiet environments.
The Everything DiSC report helps individuals discover their primary behavioural style (or a combination of styles) and offers actionable insights on how to work more effectively with colleagues who have different styles.
How People Reading Complements the Everything DiSC Workplace Model
While the Everything DiSC Workplace report provides a structured approach to understanding different personalities, it is based on self-assessment. As we all know, however, people often behave differently from how they describe themselves on paper. This is where people reading comes in – it helps bridge the gap between what’s on the report and real-world interactions. Here’s how you can use people reading to apply and refine your understanding of behavioural styles:
1. Identifying Dominance (D) Styles
People with a **D style** are often easy to spot through their actions and communication patterns. They tend to be assertive, direct, and task-focused. You can recognise a dominant style by observing their body language and communication cues:
- Body language: Confident posture, firm handshake, and purposeful movements.
- Communication style: Direct, to-the-point, often giving instructions or asking for immediate results.
- Behaviour: They may appear impatient when discussions take too long and focus heavily on getting things done efficiently.
When you encounter someone who exhibits these traits, you can adjust your communication to match their directness. Be clear, concise, and goal-oriented when interacting with them.
2. Spotting Influence (i) Styles
People with an i style are typically enthusiastic, outgoing, and expressive. These individuals often lead conversations in social settings or energise a room during meetings. You can identify them through the following:
- Body language: Open gestures, animated facial expressions, and frequent hand movements.
- Communication style: They tend to use expressive language, speak enthusiastically, and enjoy conversations that allow for personal anecdotes.
- Behaviour: They are likely to engage everyone in the room, enjoy brainstorming sessions, and seek validation or positive feedback.
When you recognise someone as having an "i" style, ensure you engage with them in a positive, energetic manner. They respond well to encouragement and value personal recognition.
3. Recognising Steadiness (S) Styles
Individuals with an S style are often more subtle in their communication and actions. They tend to be calm, cooperative, and supportive team players who dislike confrontation. You can identify them by:
- Body language: Relaxed posture, softer eye contact, and calm movements.
- Communication style: They prefer more measured, thoughtful conversations and might be slower to offer opinions until they are confident it will contribute positively.
- Behaviour: They seek harmony and tend to avoid conflict, often working behind the scenes to support others.
When working with an "S" style person, focus on providing reassurance and fostering a stable, supportive environment. They appreciate collaboration and will contribute significantly when they feel secure.
4. Observing Conscientiousness (C) Styles
Individuals with a C style are typically reserved, analytical, and detail-oriented. They prefer logic over emotion when making decisions and are highly organised. You can spot a "C" style person by:
- Body language: Reserved, often maintaining a neutral facial expression and using minimal but precise gestures.
- Communication style: They speak carefully, choosing words that are factual and accurate, and may ask detailed questions.
- Behaviour: They are methodical in their approach to tasks and may take extra time to ensure everything is done correctly.
When you recognise someone with a "C" style, offer them detailed information and ensure your reasoning is sound. Avoid rushing decisions and give them the time to analyse data thoroughly before responding.
Applying People Reading for Better Workplace Interactions
By combining the technique of people reading with the insights from the Everything DiSC Workplace report, you can tailor your interactions to different personality types more effectively. Here are some practical steps:
- Observe first, then engage: Before jumping into a conversation, observe the person’s body language, energy level, and communication style to get a sense of their behavioural tendencies.
- Adapt your approach: Based on what you observe, adjust your communication style. For example, if someone is showing signs of the "D" style, be direct and focus on goals. If they display "S" tendencies, emphasise cooperation and provide a sense of stability.
- Use DiSC insights as a guide: If you have access to the Everything DiSC profiles of your colleagues, use this knowledge to enhance your people reading. However, remember that people can sometimes exhibit traits from multiple styles, and stress or changing circumstances might shift their behaviour temporarily.
Conclusion
The combination of people reading and the Everything DiSC Workplace model provides a powerful approach to understanding and working with diverse personalities in the workplace. People reading enables you to observe and adapt to real-time behaviours, while the Everything DiSC report offers a structured framework for understanding why people act the way they do. Together, these tools can help you build stronger relationships, improve communication, and create a more harmonious work environment.
As you practise people reading, you’ll become more adept at recognising the nuances of different behavioural styles, enabling you to foster a culture of empathy, collaboration, and productivity in your workplace.