May the FOUR Be With You – DiSC, EQ, and Agility

Part three: Use the FORCE – What Star Wars Teaches Us About Emotional Regulation and Agility

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Exploring EQ and DiSC Styles in the Star Wars Universe

Emotional intelligence, otherwise known as EQ, is defined as the capacity to be aware of, control and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.  So how does a Star Wars YOUNGLING, someone with very little understanding of a concept, improve their emotional intelligence?

Let’s take a journey through the GALAXY and explore how each DiSC style’s emotions and needs shape interpersonal interactions and regulate responses to others.  We will examine each style’s EQ strengths and challenges and discover how to recognize, understand, and choose how we think, feel, and act. (Refer to Part One: Learn to Identify the FOUR Primary DiSC Personality Styles of YOUR WorkFORCE to determine your DiSC style and that of others)

Our WORLDS, whether at home, our workplace or among friends, often require complex interpersonal interactions and there is no one-JEDI-TRAINING-fits-all way of responding to them. When handling emotional and social situations, we each have skills and mindsets that come naturally to us.  Used often, these abilities become second nature like riding a bike or FLYING A STARFIGHTER.  For some people, it means keeping your cool when everyone else is stressing out. (CHEWBACCA) Or, standing up for your opinions and speaking up for yourself. (DARTH)  These are both kinds of emotional intelligence. 

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Breaking Down DiSC Behaviors

Each DiSC Style has a type of emotional intelligence that comes naturally and is most comfortable to use.  For example, people like DARTH VADER, who have a Dominance (D) style, are typically direct and firm.  They are good at projecting confidence, persuading others, and speaking up for themselves. Those like HAN SOLO, with an Influence (i) style, are generally outgoing and enthusiastic. They are good at making connections, tapping into the energy in a room, and noticing how people are feeling.  Are you more like CHEWBACCA, who has a Steadiness (S) style?  Those CREATURES are usually even-tempered and accommodating. They often excel at understanding where other people are coming from, remaining calm and flexible, and keeping conversations harmonious and collaborative. And finally, the C3PO’s of the WORLD, with a Conscientiousness (C) style, are typically analytical and reserved. They are good at stepping back and separating facts from their personal feelings and showing restraint in tense situations.

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Our strengths are valuable, but there will inevitably be situations where we must look outside what behavior comes naturally to us. We need to develop the agility and flexibility to adopt other responses when the situation calls for it. PADAWANS, someone with a basic understanding of a concept, but needs more practice, know that to use EQ successfully, they must respond to different situations with the best approach, not just the one that comes naturally to us. When interacting with others, we can sometimes get stuck in patterns of behavior that make it hard to choose the most effective response to each interaction. 

“Luke, you’re going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi

“Fear is the path to the Dark Side.  Fear leads to anger.  Anger leads to hate.  Hate leads to suffering.” – YODA

“Who is more foolish?  The fool or the fool who follows him?” – Obi-Wan to Han Solo

The more agile we are in our responses, the more emotionally intelligent we become.  This allows us to enrich our relationships and engage in new ways. Agility is more than just a buzz word, it is a requirement – now more than ever.

8 Types of DiSC EQ Mindsets

What EQ mindset may take more effort for you?  There are eight Agile EQ mindsets you can study.  As you learn them, an EQ JEDI KNIGHT, someone with a strong understanding of a concept, will emerge. No one mindset is more valuable than the next; rather, the needs of a situation will dictate which is appropriate.  Learning when and how to adopt each mindset will let you take an agile approach to your interactions.

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Takeaways

The next time you have a challenging interaction with someone, determine their DiSC Style.  Use the 8 DiSC EQ mindsets to determine the type of emotional intelligence that comes most naturally to them.  Then, USE THE FORCE and stretch yourself to understand their point of view and ACT in a way that is most appropriate for the situation.  JEDI MASTERS, someone who has mastered a concept, use the 8 EQ mindsets to improve relationships and keep the GALAXY at peace.

Join us next time for part 4 of our DiSC Assessment Series!

Check out part 2 of our series, May the FOUR Be With You – DiSC Personality Styles

Email our Certified DiSC MASTER Amy Ratliff at aratliff@arrowheadconsulting.com for more information about DiSC training.  

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Amy Ratliff, OE/LD Practice Leader – Arrowhead Consulting