Solving My People Puzzle – Fensty's Bible Ministry

Guiding Purpose Statement

Seeking to be an imitator of Christ, I am committed to become a loving pastor. Currently, I am a follower of Jesus Christ striving to be more like him in regard to living a sinless life, loving God, loving other people, and spreading the Gospel. Loving is the type of person I want to be most as it is the Great Commandment. My calling is to be a pastor responsible for the spiritual care and guidance of a congregation. God has been equipping me for a while, and last year the Holy Spirit clearly led me in this direction. Nichols states, “The direction of our lives is shaped by God’s invitation and call to follow him as reflectors of his glorious image.”[1] “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10, NASB 2020). I will continue to walk alongside the Holy Spirit and understand how to best use God’s gifts to reach my GPS.

Uniquely You DISC Assessment

Like all of God’s creations, “Who I am” is complex. The DISC assessment helps me understand who I am today and what I think is expected of me. It is interesting to see the slight changes in my profile over the years as I have completed the DISC Assessment four or five times during my changing careers. Each time I am a high “D” with very little “I”, and the moving categories are the “S” and the “C”. I do think that God has changed me regarding compassion for others and wisdom has taught me to not get caught up in the details as God has a plan.

“This is me!” graph in Appendix A, shows that I am a Competent Steady Doer with emphasis on Doer. Carbonell explains, “There is a part of you that doesn’t like to constantly sit still and wait for things to happen. You like to be in charge while cautiously moving forward.”[2] I do not tend to be a crowd pleaser or someone that needs a lot of public attention. I like helping others and I normally plan and prepare more than most people. People notice my strength, sensitivity, and serious thinking.[3]

When it comes to my leadership style, I like to lead by example and be humble. With conflict resolution, I prefer to address the issue directly, fairly, and make a decision that is correct. I do this by gathering information, conducting research, and not caring about being popular. My strengths and uniqueness’s section says that, “You are strongest when it comes to being sure of yourself publicly. . .your weakness, is your public speaking and inspiration.”[4] I am encouraged to read the conclusion section state, “Be more excited. Whenever possible, take advantage of speaking to large groups so that you can share your dreams, warmth, and wise counsel.”[5]

“This is expected of me” graph in Appendix A, shows that I am a Determined Doer from a public perspective. People want me to take charge and accomplish the task at hand. This is normally because I have volunteered or been asked to do something. Success drives me to work hard but others see me as confident, stubborn, and determined which has me coming across as cocky and bossy.[6] Unfortunately, I occasionally exacerbate a situation with my aggressiveness as I think people want me to be assertive and authoritative.[7] Being retired and a full time student, the public expectations of me will continue to change as I understand and adapt to what my upcoming, new public setting will be in the next couple of years.

DISC Relational Alignments

Adapting my style to best relate to others is important as I want to be as effective as possible. “I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.” (1 Cor. 9:22-23). Including God’s plan in counseling sessions in important. Kollar states, “When counseling, the counselor and the counselee must be in agreement with God’s intention if the counselee is to make any progress.”[8]

D/C/S Aligned with D

My highest score is “D”, so when I am with another “D”, I know that the task will get done because both of our strengths are task oriented. I will need to make sure that “how” we get it done is also considered a success as the “D” personality may not be sensitive to other people’s feelings. Years ago, a lot of annual performance ratings on employees were around how well the employee did against their measurable goals. This culture rewarded “D” people (me included) who would excel at their goals and “burn bridges” with different departments. After several years, the performance ratings were modified to also include a person’s soft skills which included the “people” skills.

D/C/S Aligned with I

Because I have such a low score in “I”, I will need to be attentive with how I relate because I am not aligned well with people that could be more materialistic and egocentric than necessary.[9] Pride can easily happen with an “I” person and is something that will need to be monitored. I have been around some mature “I” people, and if they are confident more than arrogant, and know how to inspire and control their emotions, then they can be joyful to be around. When leading an “I” person, it is important for me to make sure the person is on track with tasks and to make sure that the person has an appropriate workload and has not volunteered for too many projects because the person wants to be liked. I will also give them an opportunity to be in front of the crowd and be the representative of the task when there is a need for a presentation to be given or recognition that has been earned.

D/C/S Aligned with S

Having an “S” on my team is always appreciated as I relate well with them because of their steady state and willingness to follow my lead.[10] I have learned over the years that my high “D” may intimidate and seem pushy to an “S” which is where an “S” does not respond well. My “S” has grown over the years as God has taught me to be more of a servant leader when I was in the corporate world and now as I adjust into the Body of Christ. We both work well in small crowds, which is where most progress normally gets made. Similarly to the “I”, the challenge is sometimes in the quality of work as the person is more people focused than task focused.

D/C/S aligned with C

In the corporate world, there is normally a battle between the “A – Get it done” people and the “C – Get it Right” people. Over the years I have learned to be a “D/C/S” where I “Get it Done Right”.[11] Because I also score high in “C”, I can relate to the cold shoulder that some people might see because of the task being taken so seriously. Quality is something we both value, but I am aware of “analysis paralysis” which can happen frequently when working on a complex task that does not have an easily identifiable answer. This occurs more with “C” people because of the need to find the perfect way forward. When working with them, deadlines and a toxic level of pessimism need to be monitored.[12]

Relational Alignment with Mentor

My mentor completed the Mentor’s 360° Interview Worksheet Template and the free abridged DISC personality test.[13] Both of us rated highest with “D” and second highest with “C”. This informs me that we are both task and project oriented along with executing at a high level of quality because of our cautious approach. His answers on the worksheet regarding what it is like to be a close friend of mine is that I am a joy and a mystery. He correctly identified me as task oriented and provided feedback where I need to increase my people focused skills when around others and a crowd, specifically when something is not going as planned.[14] This is like my DISC personality results that state, “You are recognized as one who can be challenging, but reasonable and investigative.”[15] This aligns with his assessment of me adopting the caring characteristics of the Otter while maintaining my Lion principles.

From a relational alignment and adjusting perspective, I do not see much need as we are similar in being task oriented (Type “D”) with supportive (“S”) being a close second. Everett’s adapted style amazes me as he lowers his “D” so much that it is below his “C” and “S”. His “S” significantly increases which is understandable as he has been a pastor for many years and I would consider his adapted style to fit will with his congregation and the duties of a senior pastor. I will work on emulating his adapted style by learning from him on how to make the necessary adjustments.

Conclusion

Poor communication is a problem between people today and there is a need to be as effective as possible when we are communicating with others. This means we need to decode as we listen. Petersen explains that there can sometimes be a difference between what a person means to what was said, then another difference between what was said to what we expected, and another between what we expected and what we heard.[16] Another layer on top of this communication is emotions and personality styles (DISC) where we need to adapt in order to relate with others when communicating. Being able to have a person open up to us means we need to establish a connection of trust and understanding. This means we adapt to theirs as much as possible while being an active listener. Adapting to our mentor is important if we want to maximize our learning and experiences. Seeking to be an imitator of Christ, I am committed to become a loving pastor. This will require effective communication as I adapt to people to best love everyone.

Bibliography

Carbonell, Mels. How to Solve The People Puzzle. Blue Ridge, GA: Uniquely You Resources, 2008.

“Case Study – Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness.” Class handout in PACO 500 at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, Spring 2023.

“DISC Personality Testing.” DISC Personality Testing. Last accessed March 4, 2023. https://discpersonalitytesting.com.

Kollar, Charles Allen. Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.

“Mentor’s 360° Interview Worksheet Template.” Class handout in PACO 500 at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, Spring 2023.

Nichols, Ken. Masterpiece. Lynchburg, VA: Liberty University Press, 2017.

Petersen, James C. Why Don’t We Listen Better?. Portland, OR: Petersen Publications, 2022.

“Professional/Leadership Uniquely You DISC Profile,” Uniquely You, last accessed March 4, 2023, https://uniquelyyou.org/profilesystem/report/365600.

[1] Ken Nichols, Masterpiece (Lynchburg, VA: Liberty University Press, 2017), 85.

[2] Mels Carbonell, How to Solve The People Puzzle (Blue Ridge, GA: Uniquely You Resources, 2008), 185.

[3] Carbonell, How to, 185.

[4] Ibid., 188.

[5] Ibid., 189.

[6] “Professional/Leadership Uniquely You DISC Profile,” Uniquely You, last accessed March 4, 2023, https://uniquelyyou.org/profilesystem/report/365600.

[7] “Professional/Leadership”, https://uniquelyyou.org/profilesystem/report/365600.

[8] Charles Allen Kollar, Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 19.

[9] Carbonell, How to, 28.

[10] Ibid., 32.

[11] Carbonell, How to, 37.

[12] Ibid., 39.

[13] “DISC Personality Testing,” DISC Personality Testing, last accessed March 4, 2023, https://discpersonalitytesting.com.

[14] “Mentor’s 360° Interview Worksheet Template,” (class handout in PACO 500 at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, Spring 2023).

[15] “Professional/Leadership”, https://uniquelyyou.org/profilesystem/report/365600.

[16] Petersen, Why Don’t, 63.

Appendix A

Introduction of the 4 DISC Personality Types of Behavior

The terms “personality” and “temperament” are synonymous to most people. When we use these terms, we are
referring to the predictable patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. There are many theories about
personality types. The DISC Model is simple to understand, easy to remember, and practical to apply.

Understanding our active or passive roles (extroverts and introverts) helps us identify our specific temperament
styles. By combining these two different categories of influences, along with our task and people-orientations,
we end up with four specific types.

Everyone has a predictable pattern of behavior because of his or her specific personality. There are four basic
personality types. These types, also known as temperaments, blend together to determine your unique
personality. To help you understand why you often feel, think, and act the way you do, review this entire report.
Our personalities should never become an excuse for poor behavior. The attitude of many is: “That’s just the way
I am. Love me or leave me. You knew I was like that when you married me,” but we should not blame our often
poor reactions on our personalities.

Each temperament style represents a specific behavior pattern. How we use or abuse our personalities
determines our effectiveness with others. Once we understand the four quadrant model of behavior styles, we
can begin to identify our individual profile. To simplify the four types of temperaments, we will use William
Marston’s DISC titles. The following are the four quadrants of the DISC model:

“D” – active / task-oriented
“I” – active / people-oriented
“S” – passive / people-oriented
“C” – passive / task-oriented

Once you burn these four quadrants in your mind you can begin to easily identify the different personality types.
It will also help you become more effective in your work and home. Each personality has its strengths and
weaknesses. Conflict or harmony in relationships and job performance are the result of how we use or abuse our
personalities in response to life’s situations.

Keep in mind that 85% of people tend to be composites of DISC; therefore, most people will be blends and
combinations of the evident characteristics in the four personalities. There are numerous variations of this
model. Speakers, writers, and trainers have added their own titles to make the model more simpler or personal,
but this four vector explanation of basic human behavior has become very popular. The DISC personality profile
(paper instrument) was originally designed by Dr. John Geier and has been validated by the Kaplan Report and
Winchester Report. The DISC profile and Model of Human Behavior stands out as one of the most reliable and
practical available today.

You have a predictable pattern of behavior because you have a specific personality. There are four basic
personality types. These types, also known as temperaments, blend together to determine your unique
personality. To help you understand why you often feel, think and act the way you do, review the
“Interpretation” page after the Graph 1 and 2 personalized pages in this report. Study the “Pie of DISC Human
Behavior” (four quadrant) graphic and page that summarizes the Four Temperament Model of Human Behavior,
plus review this entire report for maximum learning.

Interpretation

Active/Task-oriented “D”
Dominating, Directing, Demanding, Determined, Decisive, Doing
Active/People-oriented “I”
Inspiring, Influencing, Inducing, Impressing, Interactive, Interested in people
Passive/People-oriented “S”
Steady, Stable, Shy, Security-oriented, Servant, Submissive, Specialist
Passive/Task-oriented “C”
Cautious, Competent, Calculating, Compliant, Careful, Contemplative.

“D” Type Behavior
Basic Motivation: Challenge & Control
Desires: Freedom from Control – Authority – Varied Activities – Difficult Assignments – Opportunities for
Advancement – Choices rather than ultimatums
Respond Best To Leader Who: Provides direct answers Sticks to task – Gets to the point – Provides pressure –
Allows freedom for personal accomplishments
Needs to Learn: You need people – Relaxation is not a crime – Some controls are needed – Everyone has a boss –
Self-control is most important – To focus on finishing well is important – Sensitivity to people’s feelings is wise

“I” Type Behavior
Basic Motivation: Recognition & Approval
Desires: Prestige – Friendly relationships – Freedom from details – Opportunities to help others – Opportunities
to motivate others – Chance to verbalize ideas
Respond Best To Leader Who: Is fair and is also a friend Provides social involvement – Provides recognition of
abilities – Offers rewards for risk-taking
Needs to Learn: Time must be managed – Deadlines are important – Too much optimism can be dangerous –
Being responsible is more important than being popular – Listening better will improve one’s influence

“S” Type Behavior
Basic Motivation: Stability & Support
Desires: Area of Specialization – Identification with a group Established work patterns – Security of situation –
Consistent and familiar environment(s)
Responds Best To Leader Who: Is relaxed and friendly – Allows time to adjust to changes – Allows to work at
own pace – Gives personal support
Needs to Learn: Change provides opportunity – Friendship isn’t everything – Discipline is good – Boldness and
taking risks is sometimes necessary

“C” Type Behavior
Basic Motivation: Quality & Correctness
Desires: Clearly defined tasks – Details – Limited risks – Tasks that require precision and planning – Time to
think
Responds Best To Leader Who: Provides reassurance Spells out detailed operating procedures – Provides
resources to do task correctly – Listens to suggestions
Needs to Learn: Total support is not always possible – Thorough explanation is not everything – Deadlines must
be met – More optimism will lead to greater success

Your Personality Type: “This is Me!”

Description
As a “D / S / C”, or “D / C / S”, or “S / D / C”, or “S / C / D”, or “C / D / S”, or “C / S / D”, you think people
expect you to be direct, submissive, and competent. You tend to be passive, but you sometimes surprise people
with your dominant ways. You can be active and decisive, but your sweet and sensitive, as well as compliant and
conscientious ways seem to balance any abrasiveness or forcefulness you might exhibit. You don’t tend to be
talkative or a crowd pleaser. You seem to think people expect you to be more quiet and shy. You often don’t
consider yourself reserved because of your soft and contemplative tendencies. There is a part of you that doesn’t
like to constantly sit still and wait for things to happen. You like to be in charge while cautiously moving
forward. You also like helping those who may be hesitant or need more assurance. You tend to plan and prepare
more than others, but you don’t always communicate it well to the masses.

How Others See You
You are often seen as a blend of strength, sensitivity, and serious thinking. You don’t tend to be viewed as a
“glory hog” that needs a lot of attention. You think people want you to be humble, but self-assured with a wealth
of knowledge. You are recognized as one who can be challenging, but reasonable and investigative. You think
others feel that you have a lot of answers to difficult questions because you like to research and contemplate
more than most. You are often seen studying or organizing others to accomplish tasks well.

Your Feelings and Thinking
You tend to feel like you can do just about anything to which you put your mind. You think people want you to
be confident and courageous, but you sometimes doubt yourself because of your need for security and
information. You aren’t extroverted, and you don’t seem to desire opportunities to speak to large crowds. You
prefer to work through small groups and individuals as a personal support to them. You tend to think positively
about your ability to do great things, but you also sometimes struggle because of your subconscious passivity
and occasional negative thinking.

Vision and Passion
Your vision is widespread and focused. You tend to see the big picture, as well as the details. You think people
expect you to be committed to accomplishments and excellence with a tender heart. You seem to flip back and
forth when it comes to seeking a secure and stable environment. On one hand, you don’t need anyone to make
you feel comfortable. On the other hand, you don’t like people to be disappointed in you. You sometimes don’t
care what others think; then there are times you can be very sensitive. You don’t tend to be very verbal, but you
can communicate well in small groups. You also often like to think and plan by yourself.

Leadership Style
Your leadership style is more of a mixture of active and passive behavior. You tend to be aggressive and
reserved. You think people expect you to be demanding and directing, as well as sensitive, soft and cautious. You
seem to have many good traits, but you can lack enthusiasm and excitement when speaking to crowds. You don’t
seem to be a charismatic leader with great communication skills or a public persona. You are better when
speaking informally or casually. You influence others well and demonstrate sincere concern for those who need
your tender loving care. You lead more from example and personal effort, as opposed to publicly motivating
others to do all the work for you.

Follower Style
You tend to be a good follower when you control your desire to be in charge. You think people would rather
have you lead and give all of the direction. You are one of the best when it comes to following submissively and
compliantly. You like to obey, and prefer to follow the rules. You can be risk-taking, but often guard your
aggressiveness with your cautiousness. You tend to plan and prepare extensively so that you will be wise and
able to follow your leaders in a sure and steady fashion.

Responds Best To
You respond best to those who have a plan, take their time, and are slow and methodical. You don’t become very
excited by energetic and upbeat presentations. You prefer challenging, steady, and outlined programs, as opposed
to empty appeals. You don’t respond well to those who tend to be careless or sloppy. You like things to be
organized and effective. You are a great team player, and you don’t care who gets the credit as long as you don’t
get the blame.

Conflict Management
You prefer dealing with conflicts directly, but you tend to approach them gingerly and analytically. You think
people expect you to see both sides fairly, and then make a decision one way or the other. You don’t care much
about being popular. You just want to make the correct decision. You tend to gather information and research
more than others so you can come to the wisest conclusions. You aren’t afraid of conflicts, but you tend to be
unsure of making decisions too quickly or too slowly.

Strengths and Uniquenesses
You are strongest when it comes to being sure of yourself publicly. Sometimes you can be insecure because you
may be unsure of yourself privately. You tend to be outwardly confident, but inwardly timid. Your uniqueness, or
what others may call your weakness, is your public speaking and inspiration. You don’t tend to be openly
enthusiastic or outgoing. You sometimes don’t seem to be friendly, except when in small groups or with
individuals. You don’t tend to stand out in a crowd or seek to be heard.

Overuses and Abuses
You tend to overuse your dominance and competence. Sometimes you are too easygoing and people try to take
advantage of you. They soon discover that you can be stubborn and defiant when people try to get you to do
things wrong. You think people don’t want you to be concerned about being popular or friendly to everyone. You
tend to be cordial and kind, but you don’t need to be in the limelight or recognized by crowds. You can
sometimes be too hard on others, and you turn around and are sorry for your hurtfulness. You also tend to
overanalyze and prepare.

Guard Against & Warnings
Don’t hesitate to speak to large groups. You avoid speaking opportunities, even though you often have great
substance to share. Furthermore, you have the ability to be both challenging and sensitive when you speak. You
tend to be disinterested and would rather work behind the scenes to ensure the job gets completed and done
correctly. You are people-oriented, but not with crowds. You prefer working with small groups or motivating
individuals. Overcome your disinterest in public speaking, and force yourself to inspire and influence the
masses. Don’t let your quiet and sometimes humble attitude hold you back from communicating with conviction,
warmth, and information.

Relating Style
You seem to relate in several different ways. You think people want you to be more passive, but you also can
exhibit active and aggressive behavior. On one hand, you relate well with individuals in a quiet and slow way.
However, you can also challenge large crowds with your dreams and research. You also tend to be sensitive and
kind, especially when working with small groups and individuals. You seem to relate well in several different
dimensions. You don’t try too hard to make a good impression while speaking to large groups or publicly
influencing others to promote your causes.

Conclusion
You stand out in many good ways, but you don’t seek to be the center of attention. This is not bad, but may
hinder your effectiveness. You may need to work on your friendliness and charisma. People respect that your
strong convictions are combined with your sensitive spirit. They also respect your competent preparation.
Nevertheless, you seem to lack the enthusiasm to exhibit all that you have going for you. Be more excited.
Whenever possible, take advantage of speaking to large groups so that you can share your dreams, warmth, and
wise counsel. You will be able to complete more tasks, comfort even more people, and improve your results.

DISCLAIMER: These insights are broad descriptions of your specific personality type. They are NOT intended
to be 100% accurate. This is simply a brief overview. People seem to respond and behave from different perspectives and drives. This profile is purely subjective, based on the DISC Model of Human Behavior Science, and applies to your more unguarded, unmasked, and accentuate type of behavior, especially among close friends or relatives. Review the insights with your specific
personality type in mind, but do not conclude that you are always characterized by these descriptions. This is simply how you tend to behave when your true feelings are evident or come out under stress. Your interpretation of this information should take into account your environment, maturity, spirituality, and experiences. This is NOT a psychological evaluation and is not intended to be used as a definitive example of your behavior.

Mature or In-Control “C / S / D” Type

Here’s an example of a “D / C / S” type who has learned to control his personality, rather than crumbling under the weight of life’s pressures. Most people struggle with stress, but only those who adapt, rather than attack or outright surrender to their feelings,
often succeed in life.

This person has a tendency to be passive because he is naturally submissive and cautious. His unusual innate driving and determined tendencies sometimes override his withdrawn and reserved ways. He often surprises others with strong indications that he wants to be in charge.

He doesn’t seek attention, nor does he desire to be recognized. He seriously enjoys getting projects done through
hard work and careful planning; He likes to enjoy the companionship of individuals more than the energy of a
crowd. He does not seek attention or approval.

He tends to be more laid back, but also has the drive and determination to tackle difficult tasks. He enjoys
working on projects, especially with a good friend who appreciates his preciseness and quality control.

This person is probably mature because he has learned to smooth his rough edges over time. He has taken charge
of his own destiny by steady and compliant determination. He prefers to be in charge, but not at the expense of
offending or hurting others. He would also rather work behind the scenes improving things than standing around
and just talking or playing. This person shows his maturity by his balanced behavior. He is both active and
passive, plus he demonstrates security and stability despite his natural need for safety and slowness.

He can also be task and people-oriented, but he prefers to work on challenging projects where he can investigate
and evaluate his options. He would rather work or relate with small groups as opposed to large gatherings.

He can get lost in a crowd, because he doesn’t seek to be seen or recognized. He has disciplined his ego and
doesn’t dominate discussions. He seldom interrupts in conversations and seems to always say the right things.

He isn’t foolish or silly. He sometimes comes across as unfriendly, but once you get to know him, he can be a
dear friend. His maturity is best seen under pressure/ While others who are like him may explode with anger, he
knows how to keep his cool. When others are sarcastic and critical, he is more positive and kind.

He can be a successful leader who lives by example.

“This is me”
“This is me” is your response to how you feel and think under pressure – how you really feel and think inside. It’s
your normal unguarded and unmasked behavior.

Description: As a “D / C / S”, you think people expect you to be direct, submissive, and competent. You tend to be passive, but you sometimes surprise people with your dominant ways. You can be active and decisive, but your sweet and sensitive, as well
as compliant and conscientious ways seem to balance any abrasiveness or forcefulness you might exhibit. You don’t tend to be talkative or a crowd pleaser. You seem to think people expect you to be more quiet and shy. You often don’t consider yourself reserved because of your soft and contemplative tendencies. There is a part of you that doesn’t like to constantly sit still and wait for things to happen. You like to be in charge while cautiously moving forward. You also like helping those who may be hesitant or need more assurance. You tend to plan and prepare more than others, but you don’t always communicate it well to the masses.

D/C/S – COMPETENT STEADY DOERS
Discovering your behavioral blends
“D/C/S’s” are a combination of cautious, stable and determined types. They are more task-oriented, but care
about people on an individual basis. They don’t like to speak in front of crowds. They prefer to get the job done
and do it right through small groups, as opposed to large groups. They tend to be more serious. Often
misunderstood by others as being insensitive, “D/C/S” types really care for people. They just don’t show it
openly. They need to be more positive and enthusiastic. Natural achievers, they need to be more friendly and less
critical.

Controlling your behavioral blends

Be more enthusiastic.
Don’t worry so much about problems.
Be more positive.
Let your sensitivity be more evident.
Be more outwardly optimistic and encouraging to others.
Be fearless.