Sale-ing through life with great friends!

Ok, maybe I should use that as my six-word life story. Not bad actually.

And, very true! From a referral from a colleague in NoVA, I made friends with Brad McDonald soon after arriving in Hampton Roads last year.

While our personalities or "styles" may be very different, our love of sales/marketing connects us. Brad is a self-proclaimed high "D" (and I'd agree with him, of course, since he's a "D", after all) and me? Well, I'm in the middle of the DISC - I represent a little of all of the traits, creating a very chameleon-like personality. Notice I said "chameleon" and NOT schizophrenic. I tend to adapt well to whatever the personality of the person(s) with whom I am dealing at the moment.

Brad writes a column for Inside Business and for Executive Lifestyle Magazine, the latter if which prompted me to post this.

DISC originated in the 20s by American psychologist, William Moulton Marston. It measures four preferences, in which you are scored, to develop a snapshot of your personality. Take one here Personality Test or here Personality Test (be aware that you will be charged to take the test; I do not have any affiliation with the testing organization nor the test, just passing along the links, if interested).



Here is what DISC stands for (the letters stand pat but the accompanying descriptor changes based on your frame of reference):

Dominant (Direct, Driver, Demanding, Determined, Decisive, Doer)
Independent, persistent, direct. Energetic, busy, fearless. Focus on own goals rather than people. Tell rather than ask. Ask 'What?'

Influential (Inducement, Inspiring, Impressive, Interacting, Interesting)
Social, persuasive, friendly. Energetic, busy, optimistic, distractible. Imaginative, focus on the new and future. Poor time managers. Focused on people than tasks. Tell rather than ask. Ask 'Who?'

Steady (Submissive, Stable, Supportive, Shy, Status quo, Specialist)
Consistent, like stability. Accommodating, peace-seeking. Like helping and supporting others. Good listeners and counselors. Close relationships with few friends. Ask, rather than tell. Ask 'How?' and 'When?'

Conscientious (Cautious, Compliant, Correct, Calculating, Concerned, Careful, Contemplative)
Slow and critical thinker, perfectionist. Logical, fact-based, organized, follows rules. Don't show feelings. Private. Few, but good friends. Big-picture, outlines. Ask 'Why?' and 'How?'


Yes, I am a WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE HOW-kind of person! Here are my personality results.

Anyway, Brad's point in the article is quite simple really:
Know thineself.
Know others.
Sell more.
Sell better.