Uncover your Strenghts by understanding your blindspots.
Last night we went out to dinner. Expecting a long wait, we were seated immediately. We were both prepared that there would be a wait for food no matter what based on every single restaurant having a sign on the door that reads, “Please be patient, we’re short staffed.” We chatted over Sushi and beer about our life “to-do” list that is now complicated based on something out of our control. I immediately thought about our DISC Assessments. He and I are both D Dominant personalities.
I’m not always a patient person by nature, and it’s a virtue that I continue to work on daily. We’re waiting for many things in our professional and personal lives, and I have usually found that I was so focused on getting what I am waiting for that I was missing the beauty in the waiting.
In December 2021, I resigned from my nearly 9-year position to explore a new adventure. I openly admitted to my new bosses was a difficult decision to make. I was sad to leave my coworkers, especially my HR Ninjas and all the employees I cared for over the years. It was not an easy decision, but I am glad I stepped out in faith for this change. We (my new team) decided it was essential to figure out our leadership styles and do our best to be a team that would drive our team to the next level.
Leadership isn’t doing everything yourself; it’s about working with the great minds and personalities surrounding you daily. Patience is an art that takes practice, and trusting the people you’ve put on your team to do what they are supposed to do is good leadership. Yes, we all have to check in on projects and how things are flowing.
My question is, Why do companies hire intelligent, capable people to do a job and then not trust them to do the job they hired them to do?
I believe it’s because they don’t take the time to see their blind spots and learn how to interact with their teams. They don’t want to relinquish control.
I am learning that being a good leader isn’t about me; it’s about my team. On Friday, I held an overview meeting of our management team’s DISC Assessments. It was remarkable to see each person’s unique drivers. We have a mixed bag for sure. Two of us are naturally outgoing and Task-Oriented, and several of the management team are Reserved, People-Oriented. My boss, who hates the expression “Trust Me,” is on what we call the “Island of C”- He is very Reserved and Task-Oriented. To be successful, we all need to check into each person and how we interact. I have learned that my drive and sometimes demanding tone to foster change in the company may appear rude or curt. The reserved people-oriented managers may seem to me to be slow on the response for something that I need a decision on now. Overall, we all felt that it was exciting to see where we plotted as a group and worked towards common goals.
Becoming a Certified DISC Profile Analyst has helped me understand that our perception of others’ behaviors starts with many misunderstandings. After reviewing my son’s profile, I answered his question about why he was so tired when he got home from work. As a Reserved-People Person, he became more of a cheerleader and outgoing than typically at home. The misalignment of how he feels authentically and how he had to act at work caused him to feel tired. Understanding how he ticks don’t mean that he needs to change everything about how he feels normal; its intent is to open his eyes to his blindside and understand why.
Patience wasn’t on my list, but it should be. Walking in patience as a leader means that we should be kind, called to respect one another, and called to lead our team to be better. I hope that my team continues to challenge me to be a better leader.
I highly recommend doing a DISC Assessment. Understanding your key drivers will help you relate better to your team, family, friends, and even yourself!
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Rise Above Solutions 