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What You Should Know About DISC Certification

(This article was first published on PeopleyKeys, and has been adapted for this publication.)

Curious about unraveling the secrets of human behavior? Lifeskills Institute’s DISC certification offers the key. In the realm of personal development and organizational growth, DISC certification stands out as a valuable credential for professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of human behavior and improve workplace dynamics. Whether you are an HR professional, a coach, a manager, or simply someone interested in personal development, gaining DISC certification can provide you with essential tools and insights. Here’s what you need to know about DISC certification.

Understanding the DISC Model

DISC is a behavioral assessment tool that categorizes human behavior into four primary personality types: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). Each type has distinct characteristics:

  • Dominance (D): Focuses on results, is driven, and enjoys challenges.
  • Influence (I): Prefers social interactions, is persuasive, and thrives on enthusiasm.
  • Steadiness (S): Values consistency, is patient, and seeks harmonious environments.
  • Conscientiousness (C): Emphasizes quality and accuracy, is analytical, and values structure.

Who Usually Seeks to Become DISC Certified?

DISC certification is pursued by a diverse group of professionals across various fields. The common thread among them is a desire to improve interpersonal communication, team dynamics, and leadership skills. Here are some of the key groups who typically seek DISC certification:

  • Human Resources Professionals: HR professionals often seek DISC certification to enhance their ability to manage talent, resolve conflicts, and improve team dynamics. The insights gained from DISC can help in recruitment, employee development, and creating a positive work culture.
  • Managers and Team Leaders: Those in leadership positions pursue DISC certification to better understand their teams and foster more effective communication. By recognizing different personality types and communication styles, managers can tailor their approach to motivate and engage their team members more effectively.
  • Coaches and Consultants: Professional coaches and business consultants use DISC certification to provide more tailored advice to their clients. The DISC framework helps them assess client personalities and design personalized development plans, improving client outcomes.
  • Sales and Customer Service Professionals: Salespeople and customer service representatives benefit from DISC certification by learning how to adjust their communication styles to better connect with customers. This can lead to improved customer relationships and increased sales effectiveness.
  • Educators and Trainers: Teachers, corporate trainers, and instructional designers use DISC certification to better understand their students or trainees. This knowledge helps them create more engaging and effective learning environments by addressing the diverse needs of their audience.
  • Organizational Development Specialists: Professionals focused on organizational development seek DISC certification to drive cultural change and improve organizational effectiveness. They use DISC to align teams, enhance collaboration, and implement strategic initiatives more successfully.
  • Entrepreneurs and Business Owners: Business owners and entrepreneurs pursue DISC certification to build stronger teams and enhance their leadership capabilities. Understanding DISC can help them hire the right people, manage conflicts, and create a more productive workplace.

Benefits of DISC Certification

The benefits of acquiring certification in DISC are quite extensive. Through DISC certification, individuals gain a comprehensive understanding of human behavior, equipping them with invaluable tools for personal and professional growth. Here’s a few ways how:

  1. Enhanced Self-Awareness: Understanding your own DISC profile can help you identify your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for development.
  2. Improved Communication: Knowing the DISC profiles of others can lead to more effective communication by tailoring your approach to match their style.
  3. Conflict Resolution: DISC insights can help in resolving conflicts by understanding the underlying behavioral motivations of different parties.
  4. Team Building: Facilitating better teamwork by appreciating the diversity of personality types and leveraging individual strengths.
  5. Leadership Development: Empowering leaders with the skills to manage and motivate their teams more effectively.

Professional Certification Programmes

The certification process is simple and transformative, and we have four certification programmes that you can venture into:

  1. Certified Behavioral Consultant (CBC): Easy to understand and quick to apply, that’s what is often said by our participants. Get your professional DISC certification, gain an in-depth understanding of yourself and others, and be equipped to help others understand themselves better. Highly effective for developing self-awareness, team building, and enhancing communication.
    Upcoming Runs: 20-21 June, 26-27 Sep, 24-25 Oct, 12-13 Dec 2024
  2. Certified Advanced Behavioral Consultant (CBC) Course: Dive deeper and go beyond DISC, explore three other psychometric assessment tools to discover your thinking orientation, work values, and inner motivation and passions. Highly recommended for senior leadership, HR professionals, and consultants who are seeking to elevate their expertise.
    Upcoming Runs: 18-19 Jul, 28-29 Nov 2024
  3. Certified Career Coach (CCC): With the DISC assessment as a foundation, this program offers a remarkably holistic approach towards career coaching through effective frameworks, powerful coaching tools and techniques, and case-studies with role-playing scenarios.
    Upcoming Runs: 4-5 Jul (FULL), 12-13 Sep, 7-8 Nov 2024.
  4. Certified Stress Management Consultant (CSMC): Improve your employees’ quality of life while increasing their output. It’s possible with effective stress management. This certification will train managers to be consultants, helping their team maximise output while improving their quality of life.
    Upcoming Run: 1-2 Aug 2024

All programs cover comprehensive learning modules on the DISC theory, interpretation of results, and practical applications. These courses provide the fundamental knowledge of DISC theory, how to apply it using the DISC personality system, and DISC graph interpretation based on real case studies.

Applying DISC in the Workplace

Once certified, you can apply DISC in various professional settings:

  • Human Resources: Use DISC to enhance recruitment processes, employee development, and performance management.
  • Coaching: Assist clients in understanding their behavior and achieving personal and professional goals.
  • Sales and Marketing: Tailor sales strategies and marketing messages to match different customer personality types.
  • Education: Help students understand their learning styles and improve classroom dynamics.
  • Leadership: Equip leaders with the skills to manage diverse teams effectively.

Without a doubt, DISC certification is a powerful tool for anyone looking to improve their interpersonal skills, enhance team dynamics, and foster a positive workplace environment. By understanding and applying the DISC model, certified professionals can make significant contributions to their organizations and personal growth. If you’re considering becoming DISC certified, take the time to research and choose a program that meets your needs and sets you on the path to success.

Register for Lifeskills Institute’s Certification programmes: https://lifeskillsinstitute.sg/registration/

 

At Lifeskills Institute, we believe deeply in the power of understanding people better. Let’s partner in making a lasting transformation for your team and organisation! Call us at 6346 1455 to find out more about our certification programmes and organisational solutions.

©Published by Lifeskills Institute Pte Ltd

 

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How Nice Leaders Become Angry

(This article was first published on Table Group. Written by Patrick Lencioni)

Anger is a funny emotion.  No, check that.  It’s not funny.  It’s angry.  But it is often strange and hard to understand.  That’s especially true when otherwise affable or thoughtful people become leaders and start to exhibit anger more and more frequently.

Anger provokes the people being led to question what they thought they knew about their leader—CEO, department head, principal, pastor—and it often causes leaders, themselves, to wonder whether they’ve suddenly given in to the dark side of power.  It’s all pretty awful.

What’s particularly strange and ironic about this is that in many cases—and I say this from experience—unintended anger on the part of leaders is actually the result of a tendency to want to be, you guessed it, too nice.

So many leaders begin their tenures determined to be more likable and beloved than the leaders they’ve worked for in their careers.  And this is where the problem starts.  In their less-than-conscious pursuit of approval, they withhold criticism for a missed deadline here, and overlook a poor decision there—all in the name of empathy and reasonableness.  Over time, the people who work for the leader naturally start to worry a little less and a little less about the consequences of making mistakes until one day, a slightly larger screw-up occurs, and the leader blows a gasket.

The magnitude of that blown gasket seems so out of proportion to the mistake itself, because people don’t realize it is actually a function of all the mistakes that were overlooked in the past.  It’s as though the leader is saying, “how could you people not appreciate all those other times that I let you off without saying anything?!”

Trust me.  I’m sad to say that I know what I’m talking about here.  And then things can go from bad to worse when the kind-hearted leader feels an onslaught of guilt, which is especially painful given his or her private commitment to being nicer than other leaders.  One might think that this guilt would cause the leader to calm down and back off, and sometimes that happens.  But sometimes it exacerbates the problem, like gasoline on a fire.  “How could you people put me in a position to have to get angry and feel so guilty?!” I think many of us can relate to this in our roles as parents.  (“I said I would never get angry at my children, and here they are making me be angry!”)

In most cases, leaders can recover from these painful moments through genuine ownership of and repentance for their behavior.  But if they don’t understand the underlying reason for their unintended and uncharacteristic outbursts, it can become a painful pattern.

The solution to all this isn’t that ridiculous piece of advice, “don’t get so mad.” It’s like telling a person in the midst of anxiety to “stop worrying.”  Instead, leaders who find themselves getting angrier over time, need to understand that their feelings are not actually the problem.  In fact, there is nothing wrong with having those feelings; they are often a sign that something is wrong and needs to be addressed.  It’s how a leader deals with those feelings that needs to change.

Here’s the best advice I can give for addressing that.  Leaders who are beginning to feel the initial signs of anger or frustration or deep disappointment, need to stop and say something subtle to their direct reports like, “Hey, I’m starting to feel angry/frustrated/deeply disappointed here.”  Putting it out there and letting people hear it and begin to deal with it, is precisely what will prevent a leader from having to display it.  And it gives people the opportunity to change their behavior or performance rather than be on the receiving end of an irrational tirade.

The only way that a leader is going to be able to do this is if he or she realizes that being perceived as nice or lenient is actually—and I mean this—selfish.  It’s about them.  Or us.  Or me.  Rather than wanting to be seen as nice, choose instead to be fair and firm and clear. And self-controlled. People appreciate those qualities a lot more than nice, anyway.

 

At Lifeskills Institute, we believe deeply in the power of empowered leadership and cohesive teams. Let’s partner in making a lasting transformation for your team and organisation! Call us at 6346 1455 to find out more about our programmes and solutions, like The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team.

©Published by Lifeskills Institute Pte Ltd

 

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Behavioural Tendencies of Workers in the Healthcare Industry in Singapore

Empowering Singapore’s Healthcare Heroes for the Future

We are thrilled to share with you Lifeskills Institute’s latest white paper where we analyse the DISC behavioural profiling of over 1,000 healthcare professionals, based on IML®, the Institute for Motivational Living, developers of the PeopleKeys® DISC system.

The white paper uncovers insightful information of their shared strengths and possible areas for greater support, and reveals how we can partner with them to be adaptable, embrace the latest innovation, and deliver excellent care.

Singapore’s world-class healthcare system faces rising demands, from varying policies to an aging population that threaten its sustainability. Get your FREE download of our white paper and read more about:

  • The dominant identity profile of Singapore’s healthcare workforce
  • How to build effective teams in the face of challenges
  • Strategies to form a strong and empowering environment for healthcare professionals

“In the fast-paced world of leadership, understanding and celebrating the unique differenceswithin your team is paramount. Envision a world where each team member operates withintheir strengths, propelling innovation and collaboration to new heights.”

— PeopleKeys® (The Official DISC™ Provider in DISC Assessments for over 35 years,and the largest provider of custom behavioural assessments.)

Download the White Paper:

Behavioural Tendencies of Workers in the Healthcare Industry in Singapore

 

Let’s partner in making an impact! Call us at 6346 1455 to find out more about our programmes and solutions.

©Published by Lifeskills Institute Pte Ltd

 

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Adaptive Leadership: 6 Ways to Thrive in an Era of Change

(Article originally published on Zenger Folkman) 

We are immersed in an era of unprecedented change driven by rapid technological advancements, the surge of artificial intelligence, and extensive digitalization. The world is becoming increasingly interconnected through globalization while simultaneously grappling with significant challenges like climate change, dynamic social movements, and profound political transformations. We need adaptive leadership.

These shifts are reshaping the very fabric of our professional and personal lives, influencing not just the nature of work but also when, where, and how it’s performed. In this context, leaders are finding that traditional approaches are no longer sufficient. To thrive and steer their teams effectively in this fluid environment, a radical transformation in leadership behaviors and strategies is imperative.

Adaptability has become the cornerstone of effective leadership, ensuring resilience and success in a world marked by constant change.

The Growing Need for Adaptable Leadership

Zenger Folkman’s study offers a compelling insight into the critical role adaptability plays in modern leadership. Utilizing a comprehensive 360-degree assessment, this study evaluated adaptability alongside 59 other key behaviors for 6,333 leaders, each assessed by an average of 13 raters.

The findings are striking and paint a clear picture of the impact of adaptability in leadership. Leaders who ranked low in adaptability had an overall effectiveness at a mere 16th percentile. In stark contrast, those who excelled in adaptability soared to the 90th percentile in overall leadership effectiveness. This dramatic disparity underscores adaptability as not just a beneficial trait but a transformative one.

Perhaps most intriguing is the study’s revelation about employee engagement. It found a direct correlation between a leader’s adaptability and the engagement level of their direct reports. This aspect of the study highlights adaptability as a pivotal factor not only in enhancing a leader’s effectiveness but also in fostering a more dynamic, committed, and motivated workforce.

In essence, Zenger Folkman’s research doesn’t just quantify the importance of adaptability; it vividly illustrates it as a cornerstone of effective leadership and a catalyst for creating an engaged and high-performing team.

What are the Characteristics of Adaptive Leaders?

When comparing the most adaptive leaders, we found they tended to be younger, slightly more likely to be female, and slightly more likely to be middle-level managers than top-level managers.  Analyzing this data, we discovered six capabilities that enabled them to be more adaptable. We believe that for leaders desiring to be more adaptable, leveraging these capabilities would provide significant benefits.

1. Inspires and Motivates: Consider the CEO of a successful startup who, despite the pressure to meet targets, prioritizes team inspiration. This leader holds monthly creative brainstorming sessions, encouraging innovative ideas and recognizing individual contributions. Their approach not only drives results but also fosters a culture of motivation and creativity.

2. Valuing Diversity and Differences: Imagine a project manager who actively seeks opinions from team members of different cultural backgrounds and expertise. This leader creates a forum where every voice is heard and valued, leading to innovative solutions that would have been overlooked in a more homogeneous setting. This approach underlines the importance of diversity in driving adaptability and innovation.

3. Relationships are as Important as Results: Picture a sales director who balances target achievement with team well-being. They organize regular team-building activities and one-on-one sessions to understand and support their team members’ professional and personal growth. This balance between achieving results and nurturing relationships results in a loyal, motivated team.

4. Collaboration Culture: Envision a tech company where departments are encouraged to collaborate on projects, breaking down silos. This environment, fostered by adaptive leaders, leads to a synergy that not only enhances productivity but also fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose.

5. Coachability: Think of a leader who, after every major project, seeks feedback from their team and acts on it. This openness to feedback not only improves their leadership skills but also sets a precedent for a culture of continuous improvement and open communication within the organization.

6. Trust: Reflect on a scenario where a leader trusts their team to manage their workload without micromanagement. This trust empowers employees, giving them the freedom to innovate and take ownership of their work, leading to a more dynamic and proactive workplace. Building an organization based on trust empowers and encourages employees to act because there is trust between each person and their leader.

In each of these examples, the core characteristics of adaptive leadership are not just theoretical concepts but practical, actionable strategies that bring about real change in an organization’s culture and effectiveness. This approach to leadership acknowledges the complexities of the modern workplace and harnesses the collective strength of diverse, motivated, and empowered individuals.

Becoming a More Adaptable Leader

As we traverse through changes that touch every facet of our lives, cultivating adaptability offers a beacon of resilience and innovation. In an era where the specter of artificial intelligence looms large, it’s the adaptive individual who embraces this technology as a powerful ally, transforming potential threats into opportunities for growth and enhancement in their roles.

This mindset is the hallmark of a leader who is not just surviving but thriving in the face of change.

As you reflect on your journey, consider deeply how each of the six identified behaviors can elevate your adaptability. Embracing these traits is more than just a strategy; it’s a commitment to continuous evolution and personal growth. By integrating these behaviors into your leadership style, you position yourself to navigate the challenges of today and anticipate and adapt to the unknowns of tomorrow.

-Joe Folkman

This article first appeared in Joe Folkman’s LinkedIn Newsletter, “Leadership Psychometrics.”

Make a greater leadership transformation! Call us at 6346 1455 to find out more about our Zenger Folkman programmes including The Extraordinary Leader, Elevating Feedback, and The Extraordinary Coach.

©Published by Lifeskills Institute Pte Ltd

 

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6 Tips on Changing an Unhealthy Work Environment with DISC
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6 Tips on Changing an Unhealthy Work Environment with DISC

(Article originally published on PeopleKeys) 

Are your employees or teams feeling perpetually stressed? Do you notice a lack of open communication within your organization? Have you been experiencing a higher than normal turnover rate? If so, these are clear indicators of an unhealthy work environment. The good news is that you have the power to initiate positive change and create a more harmonious and productive workplace.

In this blog, we will guide you through actionable steps to address and transform the negative dynamics within your organization, allowing you to cultivate a healthier and more fulfilling work environment. Let’s embark on this journey together and unlock the potential for lasting success.

  1. Understand the DISC Model: Familiarize yourself with the DISC model, which categorizes individuals into four main personality types: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Compliance (C). This will enable you to gain insights into the unique characteristics, strengths, and communication preferences of each type, helping you better understand your colleagues.

    While certification in DISC is not a mandatory, managers, HR professionals, and coaches often choose to complete the course to deepen their understanding of administering and interpreting DISC. This training allows them to effectively apply the DISC model and maximize its benefits in their respective roles.

  2. Assess the Current Environment: Conduct a DISC assessment of the current work environment. This involves analyzing the predominant personality types present in the team or organization. Identify any imbalances or conflicts arising from these different profiles, which may contribute to an unhealthy work environment.
  3. Promote Communication and Understanding: Encourage open communication and understanding among team members. Organize team-building activities, workshops, or training sessions focused on DISC. Help individuals understand their own profiles and the profiles of their colleagues to foster empathy and effective communication.
  4. Foster Flexibility and Adaptability: Emphasize the importance of flexibility and adaptability within the work environment. Encourage team members to understand and appreciate the diverse perspectives and communication styles of their colleagues. This will help in reducing misunderstandings and conflicts, creating a more harmonious workplace.
  5. Provide Personalized Support: Recognize that each DISC profile has different needs and motivations. Tailor your management approach to accommodate the unique requirements of each team member. For example, individuals with a D-style profile may thrive in a challenging and goal-oriented environment, while S-style profiles may prefer stability and support.
  6. Address Conflict Proactively: Actively address conflicts or tensions that arise within the workplace. Utilize the insights gained from the DISC model to facilitate constructive discussions and problem-solving. Encourage team members to express their concerns, while providing guidance on effective communication techniques to resolve conflicts.

DISC is a valuable tool that can be used in conjunction with other strategies to help create a healthy work environment. Whether you are a small business or on the Fortune 500, fostering a culture of respect, trust, and collaboration is essential for long-term success.

Make a greater impact! Call us at 6346 1455 to find out more about our DISC+ Programme and Professional DISC Certification Courses.

©Published by Lifeskills Institute Pte Ltd

 

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Mastering Leadership: The 7 Essential Traits of Emotionally Intelligent Leaders
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Mastering Leadership: The 7 Essential Traits of Emotionally Intelligent Leaders

Mastering Leadership: The 7 Essential Traits of Emotionally Intelligent Leaders

(Article originally published on PeopleKeys) 

In the dynamic landscape of the modern workplace, emotional intelligence (EQ) stands as a cornerstone for effective leadership. Beyond the technical prowess and cognitive abilities, a high level of emotional intelligence is now a prerequisite for those eyeing leadership roles. As noted by psychologist Daniel Goleman, “The most effective leaders… have a high degree of what has come to be known as emotional intelligence.”

Let’s explore the symbiotic relationship between leadership and emotional intelligence, including seven key qualities that define leaders with exceptional EQ:

  1. Empathy: Empathy, distinct from sympathy, is the bedrock of emotional intelligence. Leaders with high EQ understand the feelings of their team members. By looking into the root of emotions, emotionally intelligent leaders can navigate challenges and steer towards solutions. A simple “How are you doing today?” can create a ripple effect of understanding and support.
  2. Motivation: Beyond management, leaders should inspire. Motivation is the fuel that propels a team towards surpassing goals. A leader’s passion becomes contagious, fostering a work environment where individuals are driven to excel. Implementing reward systems further catalyzes motivation, acknowledging and celebrating achievements.
  3. Self-Awareness: Self-awareness is the compass for effective leadership. Tools like PeopleKeys’ 4D assessment can illuminate strengths and weaknesses. Acknowledging limitations empowers leaders to take proactive steps for improvement. Seeking feedback and daily reflection are essential practices for cultivating self-awareness.
  4. Appreciation: Recognizing and appreciating employees’ efforts builds a culture of value and acknowledgment. Leaders who express appreciation inspire loyalty and contribute to elevated workplace morale. A simple congratulation or acknowledgment of a job well done goes a long way in fostering a positive work environment.
  5. Self-Regulation: In moments of conflict or tension, emotionally intelligent leaders exhibit self-regulation. Rather than reacting impulsively, they remain calm, express options, and work towards positive resolutions. Mastering emotional control not only enhances leadership in the workplace but extends its benefits to personal life.
  6. Personable: Being personable is a leadership superpower. Taking the time to connect with employees on a personal level builds trust and rapport. Leaders who engage in genuine conversations outside of work create an environment where individuals feel seen and heard. Asking open-ended questions and showing genuine interest enhances social and listening skills.
  7. Realistic: While aspiring for excellence, emotionally intelligent leaders embrace realism. Setting achievable goals provides clarity and fosters an environment where team members can thrive. Acceptance of imperfection encourages creativity and a culture of learning from failures.

For those aspiring to cultivate emotional intelligence, the journey begins with self-awareness. PeopleKeys’ 4D report can help by serving as a valuable starting point with its in-depth behavioral insights. Remember, understanding oneself lays the foundation for comprehending and leading others effectively.

Make a greater impact! Call us at 6346 1455 to find out more about our DISC+ Programme and Professional DISC Certification Courses.

©Published by Lifeskills Institute Pte Ltd

 

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An E-Book: Stories of Lifeskills | Celebrating 26 Years Of Lifeskills Institute

DOWNLOAD THE E-BOOK “STORIES OF LIFESKILLS” HERE.

In celebrating the 26th Anniversary of Lifeskills Institute, we reflect on the importance of constantly growing and gaining essential life skills, even in the midst of unexpected events. In this e-book, ‘Stories of Lifeskills”, we share inspiring stories of people who have overcome challenges in life to encourage others on their own journeys.


A Message from Ian, Chief Enabling Officer

“Lifeskills are an essential part of life. In this tumultuous, ever-changing world, we can never fully know what happens tomorrow. Will life throw us a sudden curveball? Or will we be found in the mundaneness of life? Regardless of the season, there is always something new to discover about ourselves, others, and to gain critical life skills that help us grow to be better versions of ourselves.

As we celebrate the 26th Anniversary of Lifeskills Institute, much has changed for us all in the last 2 years as we grapple with many unexpected events that has stretched us in many ways, even for us here at Lifeskills Institute. Yet, I see the good that comes out from it as we stretch ourselves in areas of re-discovering our story, re-aligning as a team, and re-positioning ourselves in the digital world.

There is always much to grow. Just as WIlliam Burroughs said, “when you stop growing you start dying.” It was during this season that I felt within me to do a collection of stories of people who crossed paths with us at Lifeskills Institute. To name a few, these are their stories of resilience, self-awareness, and love. We celebrate them for having overcome the challenges in life! May these stories inspire you today, wherever you might be on life’s journey. I leave with us this quote “If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success” (Ecclesiastes 10:10).

May we all arise beyond our circumstances, to be sharpened with valuable life skills, to be conquerors from within, and a blessing to those around us.”

Make a greater impact!

Call us at 6346 1455 to find out more about our Programmes and Professional DISC Certification Courses.

©Published by Lifeskills Institute Pte Ltd

 

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