Learn to call upon the dynamic mindset
We all have our natural tendencies that—often unconsciously—direct our behaviors and choices throughout the day. These attitudes feel so intuitive that we can forget there are other options. Calling upon mindsets that aren’t among your most comfortable will require more effort and energy, but stretching in this way will get easier with practice. It will also open new possibilities for you and your team.
There are eight Everything DiSC® Agile EQ mindsets you can use to guide your interactions. No one mindset is more valuable than the next; rather, the needs of each situation will dictate which is appropriate. Learning when and how to adopt each mindset will let you take an agile approach to your interactions.
If a dynamic approach tends to come easily for you, learn more in the article Your dynamic mindset in Agile EQ. If it’s something you’d like to get better at, see the tips below. But first: why might you want to be more dynamic, and when?
Why do it?
People of various DiSC® styles will receive different benefits from practicing the dynamic mindset. It allows people with D styles and i styles, who might find the mindset more natural, to move ideas to action and influence others. C styles may think the logic of their idea should speak for itself, but when they invoke the dynamic mindset, they can also connect with people on an emotional level, which helps to promote their view. S styles may have great ideas but hold back because they don’t like leading, or bring them up in a tentative manner that ensures they get buried. Bringing in the dynamic mindset helps S styles be heard and make a contribution.
Situations that may call for the dynamic mindset
People of all DiSC styles and mindsets can learn to read situations and determine when a dynamic approach is best, and when a different mindset might be more useful. It can change from day to day—the dynamic mindset may serve you well in today’s staff meeting, but cause tension in tomorrow’s. Everything DiSC® Agile EQ™ focuses both on building skills in the eight mindsets themselves, and honing the “meta-competency” of agility. The more you practice agility, the better able you are to change course (by changing mindsets) when an interaction is not going the way you planned.
You may need to be more dynamic when:
- persuading others
- promoting your ideas
- making an impression
- advocating for change
- moving from idea to execution
- inspiring others to action
- pushing toward a goal
- saying “yes” to new opportunities
When operating from the dynamic frame of mind, you don’t just “float your idea” and see what comes of it. You advocate for it, make a compelling argument, and take steps to make it happen.
How to be more dynamic
The way you approach practicing this skill will be different depending on your DiSC style and where your effort meter is for the dynamic mindset in your Agile EQ profile (see sample profile). These reports are highly personalized, giving individual learners insight into what subconscious thoughts may be standing in their way. The reports share small and bigger steps they can take on a regular basis to gain comfort with each mindset, and how to measure their progress.
Recognize your thoughts
Thoughts that can stand in the way of becoming more dynamic include:
- I don’t want to push people into this if they’re not interested.
- I shouldn’t have to shill my ideas.
- If no one else is jumping on board, it’s probably not that great of an idea.
- If this doesn’t work out, I’ll look ridiculous.
- It’s going to take way too much energy to make this happen.
Set goals
If the dynamic mindset is not one of your three natural mindsets, your Agile EQ report will list personalized goals toward making it more comfortable, which may be things like:
- When I have a good idea, I share it with others to generate excitement.
- I consider my audience before pitching an idea or making a request.
- I bring positive energy and momentum to my collaborations.
- I’m someone who tends to shape the direction of meetings.
- I’m comfortable taking action and working out the details later.
- I act decisively when needed.
That “when needed” is key. We’re not talking about a wholesale personality change. If the dynamic mindset does not come naturally to you, it will likely never be the one your instincts reach for. But you can practice the skills required so that, when the situation calls for it, you know how to employ the dynamic mindset, even if it takes a little more effort for you than other approaches.
Start practicing
Some general tips on being more dynamic:
- Be willing to put yourself out there.
- Be open to criticism.
- Take risks, and believe that you can bounce back if they don’t work out.
- Be the first one to speak up with an idea.
- Make decisions quickly and independently.
- Choose language and questions that create momentum, not uncertainty.
- Tailor arguments to your audience.
The Agile EQ profile goes into detail for these tips, with concrete ways to work them into your daily routine. If you’re thinking about it like, “I want to become a dynamic person,” it’s easy to get overwhelmed, because you’re trying to change who you are—your core personality. Instead, think: “I want to become more comfortable having a dynamic mindset.” This won’t happen overnight, but each small bit of progress will be rewarding. You will grow in ways you would not have otherwise.
If you need one last bit of motivation to practice the dynamic mindset, think of it this way: No one else will ever be as invested in your vision as you are, so it’s up to you to bring it about.
See also: Your dynamic mindset in Agile EQ
