Every DISC-style has its own preference when it comes to being managed. When the manager’s behavioural style matches the other person’s behavioural style, it will have a positive effect on cooperation.
Effectively managing red behavioural style:
- Look together at long-term objectives and ambitions
- Provide frameworks and rules within which the D can operate
- Give him or her the necessary freedom to arrange the work themselves
- Make sure the other person is involved before a decision is taken
- Appreciate the results achieved and the risks taken in doing so
- Outline the situation and possible options, but let the other person decide for themselves
- Be direct and concrete in your wording and what you expect from him or her
- Appear confident and avoid doubt
- Set challenging goals and involve him or her in the vision of the organisation
- Address him or her if he or she is too direct or terse in communication
Effectively managing yellow behavioural style:
- Create a pleasant and informal atmosphere
- Let the social aspect such as get-togethers be a part of the work
- Show understanding and acknowledge the other person’s emotions
- Give him or her feedback in a friendly and supportive manner
- Help plan and structure the work
- Provide space for social talk and jokes; don’t take everything too seriously
- Let him or her think about creative solutions
- Provide sufficient variation and variety in the work
- Make sure ideas are developed into a concrete plan with a deadline
- Focus on opportunities and possibilities and do not be too critical or negative
Effectively managing green behavioural style:
- Show interest and ask how things are really going
- Offer a safe and trusted working environment
- Deliver feedback in a careful and calm manner
- Give him or her time to think things through before asking for a decision
- Be clear in what you require of him or her in the work
- Give guidelines and clear instructions on how work can be done
- Do not ask him or her to give an opinion unannounced in a group
- Include him or her in changes in a timely manner and also substantiate them
- Teach him or her to stand up for themselves more
- Encourage him or her to go off the beaten track
Effectively managing blue behavioural style:
- Give him or her enough time to prepare
- Keep agreements and don’t make promises that cannot be kept
- Give arguments and substantiate ideas and plans
- Opt for a businesslike, factual manner of management and do not become too amicable
- Be clear in what you expect from him or her and specify the deadline
- Allow sufficient time to complete tasks in a careful manner
- Appreciate the quality delivered
- Indicate when good is good enough
- Communicate rules and guidelines clearly
- Be consistent in statements and actions