12 DiSC Feedback Strategies for Managers
As a leader or manager, one of the greatest gifts you can give to a team member is honest and constructive feedback. Good or bad, feedback is critical to increasing employee engagement and motivating team members to perform. Unfortunately, all too often feedback is focused on weaknesses versus supporting positive behaviors or results. Today’s pace is so fast that it is easy to forget to reinforce what is working. It takes time to stop, connect, and provide feedback.
Giving feedback isn’t always easy. Understanding what fears each DiSC style might have and learning how to approach these fears provides the opportunity to create a meaningful interaction while ultimately building trust. Put these DiSC strategies into action and motivate your team with productive feedback.
D Style
D Style Challenges: Often communicates in one direction – expecting others to listen. Can be blunt and challenge others appearing impatient.
Fear: D-Styles have a desire to be in charge. They don’t want to give up control.
Seeks: Results
Strategies to Deliver Productive Feedback to the D Style:
- Be direct and to the point
- Show confidence in their abilities
- Ask ‘what’ questions to determine what is most important for them to achieve
i Style
i Style Challenges: Have a tendency to focus so much on people that they might overlook details and tasks.
Fear: i-Styles have a strong desire to liked by others. They fear rejection or loss of approval.
Seeks: Recognition
Strategies to Deliver Productive Feedback to the i Style:
- Provide the space for allow them to express their thoughts and feelings
- Outline how changes will benefit them
- Ask what they can specifically do to make a change
S Style
S Style Challenges: Are often accommodating and polite. May say ‘yes’ too easily to avoid conflict and maintain harmony.
Fear: S-Styles have a desire to have a stable and secure environment. Change can be very challenging.
Seeks: Sincere Appreciation
Strategies to Deliver Productive Feedback to the S Style:
- Provide specifics with concrete examples
- Reinforce how changes will increase stability over the long term
- Offer to revisit the issue again later to give them time to think
C Style
C Style Challenges: May be so focused on details they can become overly critical.
Fear: C-Styles want to be correct and to produce high-quality work. They do not want to make mistakes.
Seeks: To Be Correct
Strategies to Deliver Productive Feedback to the C Style:
- Be specific and factual and review feedback to be sure you are in alignment
- Allow time to review the feedback and respond to changes
- Ask how they will make changes and what support they might need
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Identify your DiSC Style. View our DiSC Communications Style Slideshare:
