The 4 Dimensional Manager: DiSC Strategies for Managing Different People in the Best Ways (Inscape Guide) [Paperback]

Julie Straw (Author), Alison Brown Cerier (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 9, 2002

Successful managers work like coaches, assessing each person's strengths and weaknesses and developing the best strategy to get the job done. The 4-Dimensional Manager shows how managers can become more effective by using the DiSC system. "DiSC" stands for four communication styles: Dominance (direct and decisive); Influence (optimistic and outgoing); Supportive (sympathetic and cooperative); and Conscientious (concerned and correct). In the book's first part, readers assess their own style, the style of the people they manage, and the style of their organization. The second part shows how to choose the most effective style (or combination of styles) for any situation, focusing on seven key areas: delegating, decision making, problem solving, motivating, complimenting, giving constructive feedback, and developing skills.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Julie Straw is Vice President of Training and Communications for Inscape Publishing. Inscape Publishing is the world's leading independent developer and publisher of research-based personal learning profiles for business. For over 25 years, their profiles and programs have helped people make the most of their strengths. Their products are distributed by over 6,000 independent distributors worldwide including The Ken Blanchard Companies and the American Management Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers; 1st ed edition (April 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157675135X
• ISBN-13: 978-1576751350
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,115 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Julie Straw is Vice President of Training and Communications for Inscape Publishing. Straw has successfully managed individuals and teams involved in diverse challenges including soft skills training, research and development, and sales and marketing. She is a frequent speaker at national training and development conferences on the topic of using DiSC to manage and motivate a changing workforce.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction to DISC, October 30, 2004

By 

T SANTOSO (Surabaya, Jatim Indonesia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The 4 Dimensional Manager: DiSC Strategies for Managing Different People in the Best Ways (Inscape Guide) (Paperback)

During my MBA schooling time, i got introduced to MBTI, a personality test, and i am very much interested. But it is not "that easy" to teach and implement, people find it difficult to remember. Than a friend introduces the DISC concept to me. Upon browsing the amazon pages, i finally bought this book (and some others). And i found it pretty useful and serve my purpose as a simple behavior analysis tools for business success.

I have since used DISC approach to train people in Salesmanship and Managerial Leadership program. I found it very acceptable by laymen and they can benefit from the insight.

Popular applicable psychology is gaining more and more momentum and become more widely used in business. The root of this type of analysis started from the Greek 2000+ years ago with Sanguine, Choleric, Phhlegmatic and Melancholic.

The original form of this DISC apporoach comes from William Moulton Marston 1926 book Emotions of Normal People.

There are similar materials come in many form: COLOR CODE (HARTMAN), Personality Plus, and several other books.

This is not to replace all the more-in-depth psychology tools that profesional use, but this is a simple approach to see different type of people and how we can be more effective in fast forwarding ourselves. We can also see others and learn how to make them better in their works.

The book contains a simple test and the description of every type and the combination of types. It is very well written and accurate. Although i feel a bit "dry" on the style of writing, i am totally satisfied and find the book of a very high value.

This is not a dense reading, and you can jump forth and back and see your/other people's type of personality and use it to our advantages.

Anyone interested on how to "see" him/herself and the other and how to make best use of psychological approach toward different type of people will be able to benefit from this book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars DiSC users reference, April 16, 2008

By 

Long time Manager "Katrina" (Boonton, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The 4 Dimensional Manager: DiSC Strategies for Managing Different People in the Best Ways (Inscape Guide) (Paperback)

This is a great little book both for those new to DiSC and old time users of this tool. Great tips for Managers who want to adapt their management style to better communicate with their employees. Tips on giving feedback, problem solving, delegating etc. Well worth the money.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting reading, December 13, 2007

By 

Roberto Minicucci (Florence Italy) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The 4 Dimensional Manager: DiSC Strategies for Managing Different People in the Best Ways (Inscape Guide) (Paperback)

The book is short and very good. It basically outlines common different behavioral models and focuses on the best approach to communicate with people belonging to each model profile.
Of course it all revolves around your willing to adapt your style when dealing with others, especially if you manage a team.
So try to put these suggestions in practise otherwise it remains only an interesting leisure book.