How are you making decisions in your business?
Apparently, we make about 35,000 total decisions each day. I think it’s fair to say that if you’re a business owner, we can probably double that number!
There are so many yeses, nos and maybe-sos we make each day from the products we sell, to the clients we take on, to the opportunities we go for, that affect the businesses we build. Not just the growth and success of our businesses but the kind of businesses we build matters too. Is it something that makes us happy, fulfilled and excited to be our own boss and all that entails?
Part of the decision-making process you might not have thought about until now is your DISC style. This is a model for understanding behaviour and communication patterns. There are four different styles and we all have a bit of each of them. Usually, one or two is stronger, our preferred style.
When we are aware of our preferred style, we are aware of how we are making decisions. Instead of saying yes or no automatically (because that’s how we’ve always done things!), we can make decisions more intentionally. Dare I say, we can push ourselves to overcome limiting beliefs.
“Is this the decision I really want to make or is it the one I’m familiar with?” I know it’s a hard-hitting question but I don’t think any of us wants to build our business on autopilot or driven by fear of the unknown.
So how can decision-making look different depending on your preferred DISC style?
How the different DISC styles make decisions
Reminder, you’re likely to see yourself in more than one style. We’re human beings and can’t be put in boxes. Everyone has made a decision in all of these styles at one time or another because the situation called for it. Notice which ones seem like you most of the time. The following is based on a high intensity version of each individual style.
The D decision-making thought process
The D style in DISC stands for dominant or driven. They are the kind of people who tend to be determined, decisive and direct. So they are likely to make decisions quickly and not sugarcoat it when telling others about their plan of action. Onwards and upwards!
They are motivated by being challenged. They won’t shy away from opportunities that stretch them (love to see it!) but can sometimes start before they are ready. A sign of this is that the pace of their decision-making can unnerve other people who like to take more time weighing up their options. That’s just something to keep in mind. Looking professional matters to them and they also like to lead so they could turn down opportunities if it takes them out of the driver’s seat. Again, something to keep in mind. Is it worth the compromise of losing a bit of control?
The I decision-making thought process
Our Is are influential and interactive. They are imaginative and interested in people. They can also be known for being a bit impulsive. It’s their optimism. Of course it will work out! As with any decision-making style, there are pros and cons. It means they don’t give themselves time to overthink things and will jump straight in but there are some situations when taking time to make a decision is worth it.
They are motivated by the approval of others. They don’t like to do anything that could make other people look at them in a negative light. This means they are considerate of others when making decisions. However, sometimes they are too considerate and put other people before themselves. Is this what you really want or what other people want from you?
The S decision-making thought process
The S style is steady, stable and supportive. They are your people people so prioritise the feelings of others in everything they do. When it comes to making decisions, they take their time because they don’t want to make the wrong decision and upset people. More than likely, they are going to choose the option that maintains the status quo. They don’t like to rock the boat!
They are the peacekeepers. We need people like that! They are great at keeping a group in harmony which is no mean feat. However, sometimes they could do with standing up for themselves more. Ruffle a few feathers for their own good. It’s allowed! Change isn’t something they enjoy and tend to avoid but it does pay off sometimes. Am I choosing this because it’s the best option or the safest option?
The C decision-making thought process
Finally, we get to our Cs. They tend to be cautious, careful and prioritise being correct and competent. As a result, they probably have one of the longest decision-making processes. They are doing background research, creating spreadsheets of their different options and mulling it over. There are advantages to this. In analysing the details, they can feel confident they are making the right decision. However, it can be a while before they take action and in some situations they need to get a move on.
They really care about quality so anything they do, they’re going to do well. The other side of that is a worry of getting it wrong. They don’t want to take the risk and get into a sticky situation because they weren’t fully prepared or informed. As with all these decision-making processes, there is a balance to strike or they could get stuck in paralysis analysis. Am I making this decision out of motivation or fear?
That’s my round-up on the different ways we can make business decisions, looking at some of the strengths that help us make the best decisions for our businesses and the pitfalls that keep us stagnant. (No one’s perfect!) Did anything sound familiar to you?
There is so much more I can share with you. If you are just as fascinated by this as I am, let’s do your DISC assessment and discover your unique personalised DISC styles. From there, we can talk about how to use this deeper understanding of yourself to make decisions in a way that feels good and helps you to grow.
