Unlocking Team Potential: Mindy’s Journey with the DiSC Program

Explore how one of Sodexo’s learning programs is making a difference through Senior Area Clinical Nutrition Manager, Mindy Fehsenfeld’s, personal experience. 

At Sodexo, we are committed to offering our employees opportunities for career growth through various learning and development programs. One opportunity we offer is the Everything DiSC assessment, designed to enhance understanding of oneself and colleagues.

The DiSC program is a personality assessment that aims to improve communication, boost productivity, and turn conflict into collaboration. The assessment categorizes individuals into four distinct styles: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Consciousness (C). By identifying these styles, the DiSC tools help employees navigate diverse work styles and create a more inclusive work environment.

To gain deeper insights into the impact of the DiSC program, let’s hear from our Senior Area Clinical Nutrition Manager, Mindy Fehsenfeld, on how DiSC has benefited her team and contributed to their success.

What motivated you to take the DiSC assessment?

This year, my team and I prioritized focusing on regular development and performance check-ins. We wanted to better understand each other and considered using a personality assessment. When I discovered the DiSC assessment, it became our new plan to elevate our team dynamics and improve collaboration.

How did this learning program help you in your professional development?

As a leader, I’ve become more aware of how my extroverted and enthusiastic nature can impact my team. I’ve learned that different team members express excitement in their own ways and have adjusted my expectations to reflect this. This program has enhanced my self-awareness, allowing me to set realistic expectations, balance my tendencies, delegate tasks effectively, and use DiSC tools to improve interactions with my team.

In what ways has this benefited your team as a whole?

Every team member took the assessment, offering valuable context and improving our understanding of each other. It showed that misunderstandings were often due to different communication styles rather than personal issues. I now reference this program to resolve misunderstandings and gain insights into my employees, reinforcing their strengths and preferences to assign projects that match their skills. This helps me effectively align the right people with the right tasks.

What advice would you offer to colleagues considering this program?

The more you understand yourself, the better you can direct your energy toward activities you enjoy. Recognizing and sharing your strengths with your manager helps clearly communicate your capabilities. Being more aware allows you to choose how to respond and navigate situations more effectively. This self-awareness is a crucial aspect of emotional intelligence needed in the workplace.

At Sodexo, we are dedicated to fostering career growth through a variety of learning and development programs. The Everything DiSC assessment is a prime example of this commitment, helping employees enhance communication, productivity, and teamwork by understanding diverse personality styles. Mindy’s experience with the DiSC program highlights its significant impact, not just on individual growth, but on overall team dynamics.

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