DiSC – Understanding Communication Styles

Manager Discussion Guide

Objectives
This course introduces the Personal Profile System - a self-assessment on the DiSC
model of behavior. It provides insight into personal work behavioral style, and promotes
understanding and appreciation of different styles. By learning to value different styles
participants can strengthen relationships and develop strategies to minimize potential
conflicts with others.

The first result of this class should be for the participants to understand their Intensity
Index and Classical Profile. They will then determine what changes they can make to
better leverage their strengths and lessen their challenges. Understanding their Profile
will help you understand how they want to be treated. In addition, participants should
determine the Dominant Style of each of their direct reports and formulate a coaching
plan to better communicate and manage each.

Your Expectations

As the participant’s manager, consider the following suggestions:

• Discuss what your employee learned and how it will improve job performance
• Discuss how your employee will identify someone else’s dominant style and how
he or she will adapt to better interact

1. What is your Classical Profile? _______________________________

2. What is your greatest strength? How do we leverage it?

3. What is your greatest challenge or obstacle? How do we overcome it?

4. What is the dominant style of your direct reports? What leads you to those
conclusions? What is your plan to better interact with them now that you know this?

Revised 07/14/2006
Action Plan
Use the table below as a guide to create and formalize an action plan with your employee. Writing down and agreeing to
an action plan with your employee is a critical part of ensuring knowledge gained in this training is successfully and
meaningfully transitioned back to the workplace. Make sure that your action plan lists specific, relevant details on
responsibilities, timing and deadlines, project planning, etc. THE FOLLOWING ARE ONLY SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR
DISCUSSION AND NOT MEANT TO BE AN ALL INCLUSIVE ACTION PLAN.

Observable Behaviors Suggested Measurements

Development Goal Supporting Goal to Confirm Goal Attainment Action Plan
1. Understand own Use of DiSC report in 360 assessment • Review information in DiSC
Intensity Index and Personal Development report
Classical Profile Planning • Determine strengths
• Develop approaches to
leverage identified strengths
• Determine challenges
• Develop specific strategies
to overcome challenges
2. Better communication Adapting communication 360 assessment • Have team members take
among direct reports methods to meet other DiSC class
person’s style • Determine direct reports
style
• Create action plan to better
communicate

Revised 07/14/2006