Adapt, Lead, or Lose Yourself: The DiSC Leadership Dilemma

The Leadership Journey: Have You Really Changed?

Leadership is a journey of constant evolution, yet some moments compel us to pause and ask: Have I really changed?

One of my senior executive clients recently reflected on their leadership style and said, “I’ve become more analytical and task-oriented over time. My BLUE tendencies have grown stronger.”

My response: Have they?

• What in your current role encourages you to lean into these BLUE behaviours?
• What in your past role didn’t?
• Are you adapting because the demands of your role call for it?
• Or are you so exhausted you simply cannot fake it anymore?

This isn’t just their story. It’s the story of every leader. As you rise, you’re pulled between adapting to external pressures and staying true to your core self. How do you navigate this dance?

DiSC: A Compass, Not a Definition

DiSC is not about telling you who you are. It does not define your identity or personality. Instead, it provides insights into how you tend to behave in different contexts, both under calm conditions and under pressure.

• Dominance (D): Decisive, energetic and driven by results.
• Influence (I): Enthusiastic, collaborative and people-focused.
• Steadiness (S): Patient, loyal and relationship-oriented.
• Conscientiousness (C): Precise, analytical and detail-focused.

If you’ve completed a DiSC assessment, you’ve taken the first step in self-awareness. But the real question is: Are you using what you’ve learned to understand the why behind your behaviour?

And if you haven’t taken the DiSC yet, how much do you truly know about the intricate mix of nature and nurture shaping your leadership style?

DiSC and the Leadership Cocktail: Nature vs Nurture

Think of your leadership as a cocktail. Your nature forms the base ingredients. These are the elements you are born with, shaped by your DNA. Traits like your level of extraversion, shyness, or action orientation are influenced by biology, setting the foundation for how you naturally respond to the world.

Your nurture, on the other hand, is the mixologist behind the scenes. From your earliest years, your environment, culture, family, education and experiences pour into your leadership cocktail. Positive experiences may help you build strengths, while challenges shape resilience or, conversely, expose limitations.

The combination of these factors creates the unique “flavour” of your leadership. But here is the twist:

• Do you regularly stop to reflect on the ingredients in your cocktail?
• Who decides the dosage of each element?
• Are you consciously adjusting the mix to suit your role and values, or are you letting external pressures dictate the outcome?

DiSC does not tell you what you are. It provides a framework to examine whether your behaviours are aligned with your authentic self or driven by circumstances. It helps you ask: Am I leading from a place of strength or responding from a place of stress?

Adaptation vs Authenticity: Finding the Balance

Adaptation is inevitable in leadership. New roles, diverse teams and evolving challenges demand flexibility. But adaptation without reflection can lead to disconnection from your authentic self.

• Have you ever felt like you’re performing instead of leading?
• Do you find yourself drained, wearing a mask that does not quite fit?

Leaders who thrive find the balance. They adapt when needed, without losing their sense of purpose or values. This is where DiSC becomes an invaluable compass, guiding you to understand where you are adapting to external needs and where you are staying true to yourself.

DiSC Reflection Questions:

1. Which of your behaviours feel natural and energising?
2. Where do you feel stretched, like you’re acting out of character?
3. How can you align your actions with both your natural tendencies and the needs of your role?

For Leaders Who Have Completed DiSC

Congratulations, you’ve begun understanding your leadership style. But knowing your DiSC profile is only the start.

Have you:

• Explored how your natural tendencies impact your leadership during stress?
• Reflected on how your role amplifies or suppresses certain behaviours?
• Developed strategies to bridge the gap between your authentic self and your team’s needs?

Your DiSC profile is a map. It is up to you to navigate the terrain. Do not stop at awareness. Take action. Dive deeper into how your Dominance, Influence, Steadiness or Conscientiousness can unlock new levels of leadership success.

For Leaders Who Have Never Taken DiSC

If you have never completed a DiSC assessment, consider this:

• Do you know what energises you as a leader and what drains you?
• Are you confident in how you adapt under pressure?
• Can you pinpoint which behaviours come naturally versus those you’ve had to learn?

Without these insights, you are leading blindly. DiSC provides a mirror to see yourself clearly, not just as others perceive you, but as you truly are. It is transformative for leaders ready to stop guessing and start leading with purpose.

The Leadership Shift: DiSC in Action

Leaders who embrace DiSC often experience a profound shift:

1. Enhanced Self-Awareness: Understanding what drives your behaviour and how it impacts your team.
2. Empowered Adaptation: Recognising when to flex your style without losing your authenticity.
3. Stronger Connections: Learning how to communicate effectively with team members whose styles differ from yours.

Imagine confidently navigating a tense board meeting, adapting your approach to connect with a challenging team member, or leading a high-pressure project without compromising who you are. That is the power of DiSC.

Practical Steps to Take Right Now

Whether you’ve done DiSC or not, here are three steps to elevate your leadership:

1. Reflect: Take ten minutes to identify a recent leadership challenge. Ask yourself: Was I adapting or being authentic? What triggered my behaviour?
2. Explore: If you haven’t already, take the DiSC assessment. It is the starting point for uncovering your unique leadership mix.
3. Act: Apply your DiSC insights to a specific leadership situation. For example, if you are naturally a ‘D’, practise pausing to consider others’ perspectives before making a decision.

The Call to Action: Ready to Uncover Your True Leadership Style?

Your leadership is a blend of nature and nurture, authenticity and adaptation. But here is the thing. It is your cocktail. You decide the mix.

Let’s take this journey together.

• Take the DiSC Assessment

• Join Our Webinar to explore how DiSC can transform your leadership. Register here

The best leaders do not just adapt. They lead authentically, with purpose and clarity. Are you ready to join them?

To thriving leadership,

Krumma

Founder, Positive Performances

"Thrive to Perform, Perform to Thrive, Leading with Purpose, Living with Strength"