Effective communication and team integration are extremely important for the success of your company. DISC D3 provides a wonderful framework for just that. Check out how we use DISC D3 in our Sales. Learn what DISC D3 personality test is, what the acronym DISC stands for, and how exactly we use this tool on a daily basis in this article.
At Applandeo, we approached the challenge of improving communication in our team in a unique way. We understood that the key to success is not just identifying problems but also implementing effective tools to solve them. That’s why we decided to implement the advanced DISC D3 tool, which has become the foundation of our efforts.
The results of DISC assessment have been providing us with valuable insights for many years already. We call it a framework because it gives structure to our actions without limiting us. Yes, that’s also because we operate in the IT industry.
DISC D3 is a useful model for describing human behavior and an effective tool for improving interpersonal communication, based on Dr. William Marston’s ideas. So, what does the DISC acronym stand for? He divided human behavior into four main categories, known as DISC factors:
Each category is a spectrum, and specific intensities of traits (expressed numerically in the DISC D3 test) allow us to predict potential reactions to most people’s problems, challenges, procedures, or changes.
There are four DISC personality types, each with specific characteristics that bring unique value to a team. Understanding these types enhances self-awareness and improves teamwork by recognizing individual strengths and weaknesses.
We conducted a series of systematic consultations and workshops, which turned out to be the answer to the communication difficulties we encountered. Thanks to a well-planned process and the outstanding commitment of the entire team, we began to achieve our goals and noticed real changes in our daily operations.
In this article, we want to show, through our example, how using the results of DISC D3 tests can nurture the relationships we care about and make our team collaboration much more effective.
Researchers from a Canadian university reviewed scientific papers on this topic. The simple conclusion? Ignoring communication never pays off, as it inevitably reduces employee efficiency.
Understanding one’s DISC profile can help overcome communication barriers and improve employee efficiency.
While many companies tend to focus on weaknesses and patching up gaps, we wanted to improve our processes and give them structure. Relationships are difficult because no two people are the same, and needs and expectations can be interpreted differently, even when expressed clearly.
Add cultural differences on top, differing languages, and the level of proficiency, and you are bound to have misunderstandings, which can result in lost opportunities. These initial communication challenges were primarily due to varying personality traits, making it difficult to align our team’s efforts effectively. We needed a new approach to help us better understand the diverse needs of our clients and increase our team’s efficiency.
We needed new expertise, something engaging and covering various aspects of personal growth & personal development, team building, conflict management & conflict resolution. DISC D3 proved to be precisely the valuable tool we were looking for.
Recognizing these challenges, we decided to introduce the DISC D3 tool to Applandeo and create our framework based on it. Justyna and Sara, Applandeo’s two certified DISC consultants, undertook this task, which included full implementation of the tool, conducting research, internal workshops, and evaluations.
During the implementation process, the team learned to identify and adapt to different DISC styles, understanding how individuals can possess a primary DISC style alongside characteristics of another, creating hybrid styles.
Through the entire process, the team learned to better understand their own behavioral styles and those of their colleagues and how to effectively adapt communication strategies and actions to meet the specific needs and expectations of different types of clients. This is crucial for effectively serving our company’s global client base.
Our HR department’s introduction of the DISC D3 brought excellent results for the Sales team (and beyond). The workshops were (and continue to be) focused on practical applications, allowing the team to communicate better and strengthen collaboration.
The DISC report gave us many personalized insights that helped improve team collaboration and communication.
The team noted significant improvements in understanding and appreciating the working styles of their colleagues, which promotes better cooperation. With newly acquired knowledge, the team can now communicate more effectively with clients, tailoring their approach to various preferences.
Negotiations go smoother by predicting and resolving potential misunderstandings before they escalate, and client relationships are stronger.
Now, the members of the Sales team, as well as their coworkers, know how to deal with their emotions and interact effectively, patiently, and confidently with each other and prospective clients.
We were looking for a tool that focuses not on weaknesses but on the strengths and needs of our employees. Nowadays, everything is about improvement and fighting our drawbacks, and we want to use our resources and possibilities effortlessly, or at least with lower pressure than usual. Growth is not always about progress; it’s about change!
Understanding the primary personality types—Dominant, Influencing, Stable, and Compliant—helps in daily interactions and enhances team dynamics by effectively leveraging individual strengths and resolving conflicts.
Matching the Employee to the Project/Client: Today, thanks to the knowledge gained, we can prepare to build a team that not only has the right competencies but also works well with other teams and client from the very beginning. For this, testing not only their hard skills, but soft skills too, is important. Understanding the four primary personality types—Dominant, Influencing, Stable, and Compliant—helps build effective teams by ensuring that we use each member’s strengths and their interpersonal relations are optimized. We know how to use this magical tool to help you with team extension or employee matching.
Onboarding New Employees: Another area where DISC D3 plays a crucial role. With this tool, we can tailor the onboarding process to each new team member’s individual needs. Imagine a new employee feeling comfortable on their first day because the entire adaptation process is planned based on their needs. This not only increases their satisfaction but also shortens the time needed for full integration.
Leadership: Regular workshops based on DISC D3 enable our managers to manage teams better, support employee development, and prepare for resolving potential conflicts. This supports our leaders, who are aware of the diversity of behavioral styles in their teams and can use this knowledge to build stronger, more integrated teams.
Practical application of test results in our daily work: DISC D3 is not just a theoretical tool. For example, when planning meetings, we can better adjust their format to the participants’ preferences, increasing their effectiveness. Did you know that some people prefer short, specific meetings, while others need more time to discuss details? Thanks to DISC D3, we can balance this so everyone feels comfortable and engaged.
That’s not the end of the DISC story in our company. We use it ad hoc, which helped us foresee and avert countless crises. Although we’re a team and work closely together, we sometimes need help understanding our employees’ full spectrum of behaviors.
The DISC test helps bridge that gap by providing insights from the best source: the employees themselves. By understanding their main preferences and styles of behavior, we can create a harmonious working environment.
For example, some people love to make calls, while others think: “Why on earth are you making a call for that?”. Now, we understand the needs and fears behind such behaviors and how to reach a mutual understanding, smoothen communication, and reach a compromise.
We teach people how to communicate with those with different styles and to consider those differences, which may initially seem strange but have valid motives behind them.
According to models such as Carl Rogers’ Empathic Communication and Nonviolent Communication (NVC), this is an essential factor in effective communication.
This allows us to address potential issues before they escalate and ensures everyone can contribute their best to the team.
We introduced our first personalized program for the sales team based on the DISC model to improve the customer experience. We aim to improve communication and responsiveness to customer needs through partnership.
Understanding each team member’s personality type helped improve customer interactions and team dynamics.
Here’s our detailed plan:
This comprehensive approach ensures that our sales team is well-prepared to meet customer needs through effective communication and a deep understanding of diverse personalities.
Looking ahead, we see tremendous potential in further utilizing DISC D3 in various areas of our company. Implementing DISC D3 is just the beginning of our journey towards better communication and collaboration at Applandeo. Its potential will bring long-term, positive effects for current and future employees and clients alike.
Every day of working with the tool is a step towards a more integrated, efficient, and harmonious organization, ready for any challenge. The positive impact of the DISC D3 tool on our organization is undeniable, and we are excited to see how it will continue to shape our future.
Take the DISC personality test yourself and see how good it is with your own eyes. DISC personality tool holds great promise, and we hope that with this article, we managed to convey our positive attitude towards the DISC personality model and the importance of having a common language in the team.
At Applandeo, we believe that the key to success is not only having advanced technological tools but also the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively. Understanding the DISC profile of team members can lead to more effective communication and collaboration. Thanks to the implementation of DISC D3, our teams are more integrated, efficient, and ready for future challenges.
If you’re looking for a partner who will provide you with top-quality software solutions and understand your unique needs and communication style, we are the perfect choice for you. At Applandeo, we focus on relationships that build long-lasting and fruitful collaborations. So if you need a bespoke dedicated software development team, where all members are equipped with the necessary soft skills, you know where to go.
We invite you to contact us to discuss how we can achieve your business goals together. Our team is ready to provide you with technology and support at every stage of the project. Together, we can achieve more!
Hi, I’m Marcin, COO of Applandeo
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