Discover your true self: How the DISC Model enhances self-awareness, communication

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom

Welcome to my fortnightly column! If you have been following me, you probably know what I am about to share today. Following up on my recent article, I can’t help but dive deeper into understanding personality types, especially after returning from a team-building trip where one of the topics was self-awareness.

Before I begin, let me include a disclaimer: I am not an expert in personality tests, but I truly believe in their value. I have taken these tests in various settings — home, work, church, couples, etc. The results generally remain consistent, although there are times when they change as priorities tend to shift with age. Therefore, I frequently organise these personality tests with my friends and family members so that we can get to know one another better.

Understanding one’s personality is crucial because it explains why people enjoy certain things and not others, why they excel in some areas and struggle in others, and why they behave and respond the way they do when things happen.

Many people may not know which aspect of their personality is dominant, but the truth is that you can’t escape who you are. Imagine you are involved in a road accident on a highway. What would you do first?

Are you the driver who gets out of the car and starts scolding the other driver? Or are you the one who first checks on the passengers to ensure they are safe? Perhaps you are the driver who inspects the car’s condition to figure out what went wrong, or maybe you are the one who is loud to get attention from others. Which one are you?

This scenario serves as a good case study because it happens so suddenly that your body and mind take control of your next action, reflecting your true self.

If you are the one who gets out of the car and immediately confronts the other driver, you likely have a Dominant (D) personality. Dominant personalities like to take control of situations; they are determined, direct, and result-oriented. When an accident happens, all they want is to solve the problem. A common phrase in that situation might be, “So, macam mana abang nak solve ni?” Sound familiar?

On the other hand, if you make noise to attract attention, start taking photos and videos to share with your family and friends, or even upload them on social media, you likely have an Influence (I) personality. Those with an Influence personality are outgoing, enthusiastic, and persuasive.

If you are the driver who first checks on the passengers and the other driver to ensure everyone is okay before addressing the situation, you likely have a Steadiness (S) personality. People with these traits are patient, thoughtful, and supportive.

However, if you get out of the car and start assessing the severity of the accident, checking the damage to each vehicle, or reviewing dashcam footage, you probably have a Conscientiousness (C) personality. Conscientious individuals are precise, analytical, and detail-oriented.

Now, consider yourself an observer. I’m sure you can identify which personality traits are dominant in your friends based on their reactions in similar situations.

You may wonder why understanding personality traits can enhance your daily interactions and communications. First off, knowing one’s personality allows you to understand both your own and others’ behavioural styles, which helps reduce conflict.

For instance, by understanding your personality traits, you gain better self-awareness. This insight into your communication preferences and tendencies enables you to recognise your strengths and areas for improvement.

Meanwhile, understanding others’ personalities helps you grasp their communication styles. For example, someone with a Dominance (D) profile may prefer direct and concise communication, while someone with a Steadiness (S) profile may value a more supportive and patient approach.

With this understanding, you can tailor your communication style to better align with others’ preferences. This adaptability can reduce misunderstandings and conflicts, making interactions more effective, engaging, and harmonious.

In the long run, knowing someone’s personality helps build stronger relationships, fostering empathy and respect. When it comes to work peers, the DISC personality model can significantly improve collaboration and productivity.

You see, you can’t escape communication. It begins the moment you wake up and continues until you sleep. This explains why I am passionate about communication, experiencing its highs and lows in home settings, at work, and even between partners and children. I hope my sharing in this fortnightly column help you with your daily communication and self-discovery.

If you missed my previous articles, click here. I look forward to having you again in two weeks, and till then, have a great day.

The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune.