One of the most important factors for a company is resilience. While companies can plan for certain challenges, if 2020 has shown us anything, it is that some challenges are not as easily predicted. To make sure that your company can continue to function in a healthy and profitable manner, even in the face of unpredictable challenges, it helps to have a team that is structured for resilience. Here is how the four DISC factors can help you predict how employees will adapt in times of crisis.
Dominance
Surprisingly, people who have high D scores may not naturally be the most resilient people in your workforce. Ds tend to have strong initial reactions, which can look a lot like a fight or flight response, both of which can be difficult for a business. Knowing that a D’s initial reaction might not be productive allows employers to give Ds time to regroup. Once they do, you can expect them to make a plan designed to conquer whatever challenges that they face. The innovation that Ds are known for is really necessary for businesses facing uncertain times.
Influence
People with high-I scores are known for their ability to connect with people. Depending on the nature of the crisis, this can be a strength or appear to be a weakness. Connecting with people means that Is can help your company figure out how other stakeholders are being impacted and how to mitigate that impact. However, it is also important to make sure that if a crisis impacts the ability to interact with people, like the current COVID-19 pandemic has, the business needs to consciously create ways to get Is that much-needed interaction with people.
Steadiness
If any factor is needed in a crisis, steadiness is the one! High S scorers are known for their ability to take challenges in stride and are probably the best-suited of all people to handle the challenges of a crisis scenario. However, there is a hidden weakness in S types; the focus on maintaining business can lead to them overlooking some of the growth potential that is almost always going to be present in a crisis scenario.
Compliance
People with high C scores may be the factor that best meshes with what society thinks of as an introvert. They are prepped for withdrawal, probably great at working from home, and ready to embrace new rules and regulations that may arise due to the challenges of a crisis. This has made them ready to handle the current COVID-19 pandemic, with its rapidly evolving rules and social distancing requirements. However, there is a line between being a self-directed person capable from working on your own and without supervision and being withdrawn and high Cs can easily skirt that line. Companies have to make efforts to engage their Cs during a crisis.