What is the Best Combination of DISC Styles for the Operatory Staff?

Just thinking about our Operatory Staff over our 30+ years of practicing orthodontics makes me smile. They did the bulk of the work on our patients, and put up with a long, packed schedule each day. So we learned the best combination of the DISC Styles to have represented in that delightful group of hard workers.

As a quick refresher, in a nutshell, the 4 DISC Styles are:

• D-Style: Gets things done, is decisive and authoritative, prefers to be in charge
• I-Style: Is enthusiastic, outgoing, positive and persuasive, a “party looking for a place to happen”
• S-Style: Is steady, dependable, cooperative and patient, a great team player
• C-Style: Likes procedures, is systematic, precise and conscientious, focuses on the details

And remember that most of us are a combination of 2 or more strongest Styles, which comes in handy in the Operatory.

As you read over that list, you probably can tell that the S-Style was important for the patient, dependable, teamwork needed in the Operatory. But there was a lot of detail work involved – so some C-Style was also a key.

But we also found that having ONE (yes just ONE) High I-Style person, regardless of how strong their S or C was, made the day a lot more fun for everyone – staff and patients alike. But we also learned to give that High I a lot of grace and patience. But if we had more than one High I-Style, it turned into more of a party than a practice of orthodontics…

Speaking of just one, we also learned not to have a High D-Style person in the Operatory, since our orthodontist was an extremely High D. There can only be one person in charge, especially in a fast-paced, busy place like the Operatory.

All this to say, that it is possible to put people in the areas of their strengths where they can best contribute in an office. This yields a fully functioning practice with very little turnover – a great way to run any business.

***In the meantime, if you would like to find out what your DISC Style Combination is, just click here for more information on getting a DISC Assessment – an easy online process that will gain you lots of insight.

QUESTION: Have you ever considered how your DISC Style Combination would best fit a specific job? I’d love to hear your thoughts and observations. Please share in the comment section below.