Project title DISC Profiles and Communication Workshop: Community Relations and Heritage Division
The Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) funded the project through their Community Relations and Heritage Division
Who funded the project
Karabena Consulting facilitated a workshop for the Community Relations and Heritage Division of the DPC on 16 October 2024. The workshop focused on DISC profiles, internal division relationships, and directional communication strategies. The goal was to improve communication among team members, enhancing both personal understanding and the overall efficiency of the division. This workshop was designed in response to the evolving communication needs in a post-COVID-19 workplace, where remote work, strategic priorities, and Worksafe conditions have introduced new challenges.
Summary
The primary aim of this project was to:
Help staff within the Community Relations and Heritage Division understand their DISC profiles and the impact of personality on communication styles.
Improve internal communication by identifying the most effective strategies for downward, upward, lateral, and diagonal communication.
Enhance collaboration and teamwork through improved self-awareness and understanding of communication preferences.
Equip staff with the skills needed for effective multigenerational and multi-directional communication in the context of Victorian Treaty processes and Cultural Heritage Management Plans.
Project Aims
The methodologies used for this project included:
DISC Profile Analysis: All participants completed DISC assessments to understand their communication styles and preferences.
Interactive Workshops: We facilitated sessions exploring communication differences in the post-COVID-19 workplace, helping participants to apply their DISC profiles to improve team dynamics.
Directional Communication Framework: The workshop provided a structured framework for understanding and using directional communication—downward, upward, lateral, and diagonal—to enhance transparency and efficiency.
Practical Exercises: Activities such as ‘speed dating’ encouraged team members to interact and get to know one another, fostering stronger relationships.
Case Studies: Context-specific examples related to Victorian Treaty processes and Cultural Heritage Management Plans were used to highlight the importance of clear, multi-directional communication.
Methodologies
The project delivered the following outputs:
DISC Profiles for Each Team Member: This provided insights into individual communication preferences, including areas of dominance, influence, steadiness, and conscientiousness.
Workshop Materials: Tailored materials on effective communication strategies, incorporating both DISC profiles and directional communication flows.
Guidelines for Communication: Clear guidelines on how to improve downward, upward, lateral, and diagonal communication within the division.
Interactive Activities: Engaging exercises to strengthen internal relationships and build practical skills in communication.
Outputs
The project achieved the following outcomes:
Improved Team Communication: The division saw an improvement in both personal and professional communication, helping to reduce misunderstandings and enhance productivity.
Greater Self-Awareness: Participants gained deeper insights into their own communication styles, allowing them to adapt their approach to better meet the needs of colleagues.
Enhanced Collaboration: The use of DISC profiles helped identify ‘dream teams’ based on complementary strengths, improving task management and team efficiency.
Strategic Alignment: The workshop provided tools for navigating the communication challenges specific to the Victorian Treaty process and Cultural Heritage Management Plans, ensuring more effective and inclusive decision making.
Skills for Future Change: Participants were equipped with skills for managing the inevitable workplace changes, including task-oriented approaches and multigenerational communication strategies.
Project Outcomes
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