AIM2DREAM: Strengthening Relationships Through Understanding

Helpful Tips from Mike Rao, The Growth Coach of Northern Ohio
I highly recommend and personally endorse Mike....he is coaching me to be a better wife, mother, friend and leader.

Strengthen relationships today, by understanding your own personality style, communication style, tendencies in relationships, and by understanding the same about your partner or loved ones.

DISC insight:

Sometimes it is difficult to recognize when love and affection are being shown to you by others, mainly when their style of showing and receiving love is different from your own. A D-Style may launch into action, solving problems and spending their time working hard to provide for their loved ones. However, if their S-Style partner is longing for quality time, they may feel neglected as a result. By understanding how both you and your partner show and receive love, you can begin to recognize gestures of love that you had never noticed before. Below is a brief breakdown of the D, I, S, and C styles. For a more in-depth analysis, please contact me directly.

Is your partner a D-Style?

A D-Style is likely to show their love in a tangible way (problem solving, providing, giving you experiences or gifts). A D-Style is likely to want to receive love through supportive gestures and appreciative words.

Try to be active together. They have forward momentum and enjoy action.
Take time to set goals together. This is something they'll enjoy doing with you.
Help with the details. They're big picture people.
Try to speak their language when communicating. They don't have a lot of patience for the fine details and may avoid overly emotional conversations.
Stand up for yourself. They'll respect it.
Show appreciation. Their time is very important to them, and they feel recognized when you thank them for their actions. Make sure they deserve it of course.

Is your partner an I-Style?

An I-Style is likely to show their love through verbal and physical expression, making you smile, and having fun, shared experiences. They likely want to be shown love in a similar way.

Avoid harsh or intense tone and body language. Rejection is their biggest fear.
Show physical expression and give hugs. They both give and receive love in this way.
Socialize or support their need for socialization. Their desire is to be with people.
Help them with organization and time management. They suffer in this area and will appreciate your help.
Be romantic, expressive or creative with your gestures. The I-Style can think outside the box.
Tell them how you feel. They are great talkers and are usually in touch with their emotional side.

Is your partner an S-Style?

An S-Style is likely to show their love through spending quality time with you, listening, being supportive, and through verbal and physical affection. They likely want to be shown love in a similar way.

Spend time with them. They often show and want to be shown love through quality time.
Don't make sudden, drastic changes. They can adapt, but do not like or easily accept big changes. Give them time.
Take time to listen to them. They are excellent listeners. However, they may truly open up if you give them space to talk.
Ask them for their opinion. They are quite humble and often happy to observe your opinion, but enjoy sharing theirs when non-confrontational space is created.
Be thoughtful. The S-Style is often thinking of others first. It means a lot when you make a thoughtful gesture for them in return.
Tell them you love them or appreciate them. They are relational and enjoy personal dialog. Verbalizing your feelings in a personal setting can go a long way.

Is your partner a C-Style?

A C-Style is likely to show their love in a tangible way, helping you with daily tasks, taking care of something for you, or perhaps offering a new system by which to accomplish a task. They will help you with information, examining a problem closer, and being a good listener. They likely are looking for an appreciation for their efforts and systems, and appreciate being shown love also through supportive tasks and kind gestures.

Make an effort to be neat. They have systems in place and appreciate when you recognize them.
Create a safe place for them to express themselves. They are non-confrontational, but do have an opinion. They open up to those they trust.
Be specific when communicating. A C-style will respond best to concrete examples and detailed information. They are problem-solvers and contemplate decisions slowly and carefully.
Create routine. Give time for change. They will adapt, but do not like drastic changes. It's easier if they can understand the reasoning and logic behind it and are given time to process.
Relax together. They are calm and steady people, who enjoy their peaceful time, and even their space.