Team Building
Throughout our day to day activities, whether we are at work or not, we rely on our strengths to do things well. If we use the DISC as a guide, people’s strengths fall into 4 different areas: Dominance, influence, steadiness, and compliance. Granted, we are a combination of all 4 areas, but one usually rises to the surface as our key personality indicator.
Many people acknowledge that they need to do work on their weakest area. But what many people underestimate is the extent to which their strength can cause them issues. Your greatest strength can help you achieve great heights, but can also set you back on your way to achieving those heights. It can be a blessing or a curse.
I will use myself as an example. My dominant trait is an I (Influencing). My greatest strength is connecting with people. When that strength becomes a weakness, however, it means that I may seek approval from others. I have the potential to lose perspective when I need to choose integrity over connection.
Because of this, I often say that I need to keep an eye on my “I.”
The same is true for every strength. D’s can use their dominance to achieve, but can become Domineering and overbearing which slows the pace of their achievement. S’s provide Solid Steadiness, but can become incredibly Stubborn when life throws curveballs. C’s build systems so that things are done Correctly, but can suffer from “analysis paralysis” as they get lost in details.
Every strength has its dark side, just as every weakness has a silver lining.
Once we see clearly that our strengths have both a good and bad side, we gain perspective. We can begin to recognize when our strengths begin to turn against us and the people around us. Through this self-awareness, our strengths can be honed and developed into the positive force we wish them to be.
- What is your greatest strength and when do you use it most?
- What does it look like when this strength works against you?
- When your strength works against you, what type of trigger initiates this?
Have a great week!
Chuck Ross
John Maxwell Certified Coach, Trainer, Speaker, and DISC consultant
chuckross.net
Author: Change? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!?
530-277-6161
“They themselves are makers of themselves.” James Allen
Team Building
Today marks the first significant rainfall in over a month here in Grass Valley. As with most places, the rain almost immediately makes the roads slick. But as the oil and dirt washes away, traction improves.
Something similar happens to trails for mountain bikers. As the rain sinks into the dirt it allows tires to grip the dirt more easily. This increases traction causing a wonderful phenomenon known as “hero dirt.” Hero dirt allows people to lean into the corners at a much greater angle than would be possible, had it not been for the rain.
Organizations all experience their version of cleansing rain. Organizational rains almost always start off as mistakes or failures. That in itself is not cleansing. It can actually be downright maddening. The cleansing happens when the organization realizes that the mistake or failure is a sign of a specific weakness. The addressing of this weakness is where the cleansing takes place.
The process requires a certain type of attitude, however. An attitude of blaming others only increases the slippery nature of the challenge, much like roads when it first begins to rain.
There is no way to learn when blame keeps shifting. There is also no way to learn when someone accepts the responsibility but refuses to acknowledge what is being taught.
When responsibility is taken and changes are made to avoid such failures in the future, the learning can sink into the organization, just like a good rain. When the lesson is accepted, the organization can gain traction in that area in ways they never would have imagined before facing failure: Hero Dirt.
What failures have you faced recently that have helped you learn?
Are there any challenges you have faced several times over? What do you think this means?
What resources do you have at your disposal that can help you learn in the face of challenges?
Have a great week!
Chuck Ross
John Maxwell Certified Coach, Trainer, Speaker, and DISC consultant
chuckross.net
Author: Change? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!?
530-277-6161
“They themselves are makers of themselves.” James Allen
Team Building
The other day, Patrice (our IRP specialist) was asked a question while headed to the printer. Her response: Baby steps. It definitely struck me and reminded me of a movie…
In 1991, Bill Murray starred as a character named Bob in a movie called “What about Bob?” In the movie, Bob was afraid of everything. So much so, that he would hardly ever leave his apartment. In the movie his new psychotherapist, Dr. Leo Marvin (played by Richard Dryfuss), had published a book called Baby Steps which is seemingly based on taking several small steps on the way to attaining a large goal.
This is not a new concept. We constantly take large projects or goals and break them down into workable chunks. But I believe this process has greater meaning (and difficulty) than people realize.
Consider the first baby step. Taking that first step requires a lot of clarification and a bit of planning if you are to successfully travel anywhere!
- What are you stepping toward?
- What are the obstacles currently in your way?
- How fast will you step?
- Are there others that need to step with you?
- What challenges might trip you up along the way?
All of these things don’t all need solutions before you step, otherwise you may not ever step at all (which was Bob’s problem). But you at least need to have a clear direction or objective.
What does that look like for us? Ask questions of the customer until their needs are crystal clear. Take a minute and see the big picture of a project, before you dive into the specifics…before you take that first baby step.
In essence, baby steps may be small, but their meaning is BIG. They pave the way for met goals and completed projects. And just as it was with Bob, it starts with the first one.
What challenges do you currently face that could benefit from taking that first small step?
Which challenges you more, seeing the small details or seeing the big picture?
What baby step can you take to combat this?
Have a great week!
Chuck Ross
John Maxwell Certified Coach, Trainer, Speaker, and DISC consultant
chuckross.net
Author: Change? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!?
530-277-6161
“They themselves are makers of themselves.” James Allen
Team Building
I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden.
I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.
I am completely at your command.
Half the things you do, you might just as well turn over to me,
and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.
I am easily managed; you must merely be firm with me.
Show me exactly how you want something done, and after a few lessons I will do it automatically.
I am the servant of all great men.
And, alas, of all failures as well.
Those who are great, I have made great.
Those who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine.
Plus, the intelligence of a man.
You may run me for profit, or run me for ruin; it makes no difference to me.
Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will put the world at your feet.
Be easy with me, and I will destroy you.
Who am I?
-John Di Lemme
Habit! I was first introduced to this poem while reading The 7 Habits of Highly-Effective Teens. The power of the ideas presented in this poem is immense. Over the next several weeks, I will focus on the habits that we have that can make us or break us. For now, consider these questions inspired by the poem:
Which habits do you have that are both your greatest helper and heaviest burden?
What habits do you have that need a firm hand to manage?
What personality habits do you need to be aware of that may serve or not serve you?
Have a great week!
Chuck Ross
John Maxwell Certified Coach, Trainer, Speaker, and DISC consultant
chuckross.net
Author: Change? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!?
530-277-6161
“They themselves are makers of themselves.” James Allen
Employee Spotlight
Christina is this month’s VLC Rockstar! Christina started as a part time admin with VLC. She was hired to help ship our credentials. Very quickly, we realized her potential and moved her into a key role in fuel tax reporting. Christina is currently attending college and was tasked to create a flyer. Look at the amazing work Christina has done!
TripDAWG Fleet Management Brochure
This is an excellent example of the great work that Christina does for us. This one-page brochure is well-organized, concise, and informative with good visuals to help understand the benefits of a TripDAWG solution.
Our thanks to Christina for all her contributions!
Vehicle Licensing Consultants
A Virtual Projects, LLC Company
Fleet & Driver Compliance…Fleet Tracking Software
530-384-3884
