Similar to you and other awesome people on this planet, I loved The Matrix. Who wouldn’t? It’s got stunning visual effects, explosions, Kung Foo, the woman in the red dress, a great soundtrack and an at‐first‐confusing‐but-then‐deeply‐thought-provoking story line.
In short, one of the greatest films of all time!
The Matrix is now firmly established in popular culture. Its worldwide recognition makes it a good platform to introduce something that I believe one day too will be a house hold name.
But it’s not a film I want to introduce – it’s a language. And it’s the kind of "eye‐opening" parallel it shares with The Matrix that makes for the perfect comparison.
Do you want to know more about what it is? Let me first start by asking you to consider this: Have you ever given much thought to how different everyone is? In terms of people's personality, I mean. Have you ever reflected on your interactions with others and asked yourself: why is it that I get along really well with some people but just can’t seem to click with others?
Well, I have. And about 2000 years ago so did the Greeks. They first observed that people, in terms of how they interact, display very distinct characteristics. Some people were direct and assertive, other’s were sociable and talkative, some were easy going and amiable, and a few were very quiet and detail oriented.
What’s interesting about this is that while people are infinitely diverse in their beliefs, experiences, values and skills, in terms of their behaviour it has been found that 4 common behavioural patterns have been discovered universally. All people, regardless of age, race, gender or culture, display these 4 patterns, and tend towards a preference for 1 or 2 over the others. Today, these 4 patterns have become widely known as the ‘DISC’ model of human behaviour.
Hold up, what’s this got to do with The Matrix?
In the film, Keanu Reeves plays a computer hacker ‘Neo,’ who comes to discover that the world he lives in is actually a virtual reality illusion. His world is a computer simulation that he has unknowingly been plugged into by sentient machines who have the human race under their control. Neo quickly becomes aware that the world he lives in isn’t quite as it seems and learns through the character Morpheus that he is, in reality, ‘living in a dream world.’
Through Morpheus he experiences a rapid awakening and finally begins, for the first time in his life, to see the world as it really is. This sudden flood of understanding opens up new possibilities and his abilities make a quantum leap forward – Neo is able to interact with The Matrix with speed and strength like no one else.
DISC is a language. But it’s not like English or French. It’s the silent language of human behaviour and communication - like the unseen code which is runs through The Matrix. You may not realise it right now, but this language (spoken or not) has been a part of every interaction that you have ever had with another human being. And it will be for the rest of your life.
If you desire maximum effectiveness in your people interactions, DISC is an essential learning. No human being should be without a basic knowledge that it at least exists and plays an integral role in human communication.
Each of the DISC styles like to be communicated to, managed and motivated in distinct ways. Each have their own psychological need, act differently under stress and have different emotional triggers. It takes time, effort and regular practice, but if you are conscious of it, then you can take immediate steps to enhance your ability to deal with people. When you become very experienced in using DISC then you can make quantum leaps in rapport building, sales, management, even personal relationships – any area of your life that involves interacting with another person
Do you know what your DISC style is?
Request a Free DISC Profile Here
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