Your Personality – It’s What Makes YOU Amazing!

Personality – that a fascinating topic! I marvel at how God creates wonderfully unique individuals while simultaneously adhering to a pattern. It’s mind boggling.

It also blows my mind how often people are anxious about viewing the results of a DISC Personality Assessment. Sadly, some are convinced that certain personalities are bad, while other personalities are more desirable. Nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, the world needs a healthy mix of all four personalities to function well. The same is true for your team and your family!

Every personality has something amazing to contribute!

Here’s another way to look at it: If the only mode of transportation was a dump truck, it would make for some very interesting trips to the hospital in emergency situations. An ambulance is best suited for that job. But an ambulance would make for a poor option for escorting newlyweds off on their honeymoon. A limousine makes more sense. But a limo would not fare very well if attempting to win the Daytona 500! That’s a job for a stock car! These examples might seem silly, but when you aren’t clear on what makes your personality special, it is like attempting to pick up a bunch of school kids in a taxi!

Contrary to what you might think, all personalities have the ability to lead, they just lead with a different flare. Notice I said different, not better!

All four personalities have strengths – areas they naturally excel. And all four personalities have weaknesses – areas that, if not managed, work against them. Because you were created in God’s image, when you allow the Spirit to work through you, your personality is at its very best. On the flip side, when you are operating in the flesh, your personality is not operating out of its full potential.

You Are Amazing!

Tapping into what makes you so amazing is possible when you understand your personality’s natural strengths – what you do best. And you are mindful of your weaknesses – the areas you need to work on. With that knowledge, you are able to take advantage of the right opportunities – those that allow you to shine, and sidestep opportunities that are not a good fit for you. And you will be able to communicate more effectively.

Learning to tame your trouble spots enables you to truly harness your amazing personality! Every personality has areas that if left unmanaged will ultimately work against them. More on that later!

Once you understand your own personality, it’s time to appreciate the unique aspects of the amazing people around you. When you value what different personalities bring to the table, it changes how you interact with others, prevents you from taking things personally, and expands how you view others!

So, what makes the various DISC personalities amazing? Here are a few highlights:

1. The Unique Lens They View Life From

As you can see, each personality has an amazing perspective to offer. And being able to adapt to those with a viewpoint different from your own makes a powerful difference in your relationships. You can also probably guess where certain personalities might clash. However, being aware of potential problem areas is the key to taking those conflicts less personally.

Most people are a combination of behavioral styles or personalities, with one being more dominant than the other. Understanding your unique personality blend is just one of the many reasons why completing a DISC assessment is so helpful!

2. People or Tasks

Each personality has a preference for tasks or people. One focus is not better than the other – it’s important to have individuals who naturally deal well with people, and those who get stuff done! Knowing your personal preference reveals where you might need to invest extra effort. And if you are in a position to assign duties, you will want to be able to distinguish the preferences of your people so you assign them roles that best fit their personality.

Now it would be nice if you were able to only manage tasks or only manage people, but the reality is that navigating life demands that you do both. If you happen to be a D/C like I am, then you will have to be very aware of how you interact with others, especially when you are under stress.

If you are an I/S, you may need to develop some routines or habits to help you get tasks done. Pay attention – when you are under stress, the people in your life will be a welcome distraction that makes getting stuff done problematic.

3. Active/Outgoing or Passive/Reserved

Imagine a world where everyone was actively out to conquer the world or one where everyone was relaxed. One would be exhausting while in the other not much would get done! The truth is that we need a healthy mix of both! Those who are eager to get things done and those who encouraging down time. We need leaders just as much as we need followers! One is not superior to the other.

4. Optimistic or Pessimistic/ Outspoken or Soft-Spoken

This one is tricky! You might think there’s a clear winner here, but that’s not true! Being overly optimistic is just as unhelpful as being overly pessimistic. And not being optimistic enough leads to just as many issues as not being realistic enough does. Both perspectives offer worthwhile insights.

Being soft-spoken doesn’t mean that you don’t have amazing thoughts and ideas. It just means you don’t feel the same need to share them. So, if you are outspoken, stop talking long enough to listen! Draw out what the soft-spoken folks around you are thinking! You might be surprised to discover the brilliant ideas that are brewing – incredibly valid points that you in all your optimism you may have missed!

5. Artistic * Emotional * Strong-willed

Different situations and roles demand different abilities. There are times when being less driven by emotions is a distinct advantage, but there are just as many occasions where being emotional is a disadvantage. The same is true about being strong-willed or artistic, or any of the many other traits a particular personality type possess. They key is knowing which way you naturally lean so that you can flex when the situation calls for it.

6. Be Amazing!

There is something remarkable about each and every personality! The key is learning to manage the personality that God’s given you! Here are some tips to help you make the most of your amazing personality:

God, in His wisdom, created you with awesome personality strengths, as well as areas that will require you to fully depend on Him! Remember, personalities aren’t good or bad! They’re all amazing when you know how to make the most of what you’ve been given! If you are a mini-van – be the best mini van possible. A motorcycle go for it! Perhaps a tow truck – get excited about the opportunity to help others.

What’s your amazing personality?

Zeroing in on your personality’s assets so you can make the most of your amazing personality is possible! Accelerate that process by joining me for my next master class: Put Your Personality to Work For You. Get all the details here!