One of the biggest challenges of adulthood is to find a job that helps us reach our dreams and ambitions. Some people are born with an impressive vocation and when it comes time to enrol in a technical course or university, no dilemmas or fears: these lucky ones already know exactly what they will be in the future.

Unfortunately, for most people who choose the professional area, it is not an easy task: it necessarily brings with it many hits and misses until they find their way. And this is natural.

But what to do when you have a vocation, plans, and every fundamental background asset, but the job market is against you? Whether due to competition or lack of jobs, some careers are particularly challenging, as are the careers related to the arts.

Everybody enjoys being right … right? Well here is some amazing news on that subject: no matter what you think, you will always be right! I have respectfully named this reality «the waiter syndrome».

Imagine yourself being assigned a table at a restaurant. The waiter gives you a quick look and evaluates how much tip you will give him. He acts accordingly, and sure enough, you leave him exactly the amount of tip he had guessed you would. And every time he is right, he becomes more convinced of his power to predict the future.

But how does the waiter do it? Is it magic? Hardly. When he thinks he will receive a good tip, he gives a good service. And when he thinks the tip will be lousy, guess what kind of service you will be receiving from him. This is a simple matter of self-fulfilling prophecy.

This reality is fascinating to observe in the business world, where the topic of money is a big deal, provoking the entire array of emotions, accompanied by the matching results. Let’s explore this eye-opening phenomenon.

Interestingly, the origins of behavioural styles go back to Ezekiel in 590 BC who described the style as Lion, Ox, Man and Eagle. Then Hippocrates in 370 BC and Galen in 190 AD gave their versions. Also, Meyers in 1950 and Keirsey in 1998 adapted the concept to modern concerns.

But it was William Moulton Marston who, in 1928, published the findings that were the basis of the DISC Assessment. He was an accomplished man who was not only a lawyer and a physiological psychologist; he also produced the first functional lie detector polygraph, authored self-help books and created the Wonder Woman comic.

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.”
– Lao Tzu

Research shows that the most successful people share the common trait of self-awareness. They recognize the situations that will make them successful, and this makes it easy for them to find ways of achieving objectives that fit their behavioural style. They also understand their limitations and where they are not effective and this helps them understand where not to go or how not to be as well. Those who understand their natural behavioural preferences are far more likely to pursue the right opportunities, in the right way, at the right time, and get the results they desire.

Let’s explore the four behavioural styles (D-I-S-C) and how to work most effectively with each one.