As a business coach and peer board facilitator, I’ve had the privilege of working with numerous business owners over the past five+ years, utilizing the TTI Talent Insights assessment as a key tool. This powerful assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of leadership styles and motivations through two distinct yet interconnected lenses: DiSC and Driving Forces.
For those who may be new to these concepts, let’s briefly explore what each entails:
- DiSC: This model focuses on observable behavioral styles: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance. It helps us understand how individuals tend to behave, communicate, and interact with others. Are they direct and results-oriented (Dominance)? Enthusiastic and people-focused (Influence)? Calm and collaborative (Steadiness)? Or analytical and detail-oriented (Compliance)? Understanding your DiSC style provides valuable insights into your natural behavioral tendencies.
- Driving Forces: This science delves deeper into the realm of motivation, uncovering the why behind our actions and what motivates us. It identifies six key dimensions in motivation, called keywords:
- Knowledge: Driven by learning, understanding, and intellectual stimulation.
- Utility: Motivated by practicality, efficiency, and return on investment.
- Surroundings: Focused on aesthetics, comfort, and the sensory experience.
- Others: Driven by helping, serving, and making a positive impact on others.
- Power: Motivated by control, authority, and achieving results.
- Methodology: Focused on structure, order, and established processes.
Each keyword has two sides of a continuum, for a total of 12 Driving Forces, and these represent our core values and the intrinsic motivators that influence our decisions and actions.
Over the past five years and after administering hundreds of these assessments, I’ve gained some key insights into the critical roles both DiSC and Driving Forces play in effective leadership. Let’s explore some of my key learnings:
Beyond the “What”: Why Driving Forces Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Leadership Puzzle
For years, the DiSC model has been a cornerstone in leadership development, providing a common language to understand different behavioral styles. We talk about the Dominant “Ds,” the Influential “Is,” the Steady “Ss,” and the Compliant “Cs,” and this understanding is undeniably valuable in improving communication and collaboration.
However, a powerful truth has emerged: while DiSC tells us how someone is likely to act, Driving Forces reveals why they are motivated to act that way in the first place. And in my experience, understanding this underlying motivation is just as, if not more, critical for unlocking true leadership potential.
Think of it this way: two individuals might both exhibit a “High-D” style, characterized by assertiveness and a focus on results. But their underlying Driving Forces could be different. One leader might be driven by the “Power/Economic” drive, motivated by achievement, control, and financial success. Another “High-D” leader could be fueled by the “Altruistic” drive, pushing for ambitious goals because they believe it will create significant positive impact for their team or the wider world.
While their outward behavior might appear similar, their decision-making processes, their approach to motivating others, and their long-term vision will likely be shaped by these fundamental differences in what truly drives them. Ignoring these underlying motivations is like reading only half the map – you might know the terrain, but you don’t know the compass direction.
Beyond the Lone Wolf: Building a Complementary Leadership Team for Sustainable Success
One of the most consistent observations I’ve made over the past five years is that effective leadership isn’t about conforming to a specific mold. Successful business owners come in all shapes and sizes, with diverse DiSC styles and unique Driving Forces. What truly sets the thriving businesses apart isn’t the singular brilliance of the owner, but rather their ability to build a leadership team whose skills and behavioral attributes complement their own.
Think about it: a visionary “High-D” owner with a strong “Power/Economic” drive might be excellent at setting ambitious goals and driving results. However, they might benefit immensely from a “High-S” leader driven by “Harmony” who excels at fostering team cohesion and ensuring smooth execution. Similarly, an innovative “High-I” owner motivated by “Knowledge” might need a detail-oriented “High-C” leader driven by “Methodology” to ensure compliance and quality control.
The beauty of understanding DiSC and Driving Forces within a leadership context is that it allows business owners to intentionally build a well-rounded team. Trying to clone yourself or surrounding yourself with individuals who possess the same strengths can lead to significant blind spots and imbalances.
Do you want to learn more about DISC and Driving Forces and how they can help your company or team, contact me today to learn more and get your complimentary DISC assessment.