Training Review of "Effective Communication Conference" by Manager Tools 
Presented by Mark Horstman, the Manager Tools Effective Communication Conference applies the principals of DISC to understand and adapt to different people's behaviors. I found the training to be highly effective; well organized and a good mix of learning and practicing. I recommend anyone interested in learning to use DISC and how to identify and adapt to different behavior styles.

Manager Tools delivers this training across the country and it is delivered by multiple staff on the Manager Tools (MT) team. MT was founded by Mark Horstman and Mike Auzenne and is now a small consulting company whose missions is to make every manager effective. The training is a day long and lasts from 8am to 5pm with a lunch break. The pace is fast and the material moves quickly throughout the day. The agenda is organized in three parts: learning about DISC, learning to observe behaviors, and finally adapting your own behaviors.

The training begins with information on the basics of DISC. Each participant has taken the DISC profile and has their basic profile on their nametag. Mark lead the training as a walkthrough of the DISC instrument and what it describes about the natural behaviors in the world. It highlights the two main axis of the DISC tool: fast or slow pacing, task or people focused. Answering the questions of fast or slow/task or people allows one to categorize the dominant element of DISC that drives someone's behavior naturally. From there, you can choose to adapt and move closer to that person's style.

The second section of the training begins to make clear the observable behaviors that indicate where someone falls on the DISC spectrum. These behaviors include the words people use, the way they say those words, their hand motions, etc. For example, someone making big hand gestures is more apt to be in the "fast" vs. "slow" category. We practice observing these behaviors and drawing conclusions about the individuals acting. We role play and the exercise is very participative.

Finally, the training breaks us up in small groups and allows us each to practice adapting our behaviors. We take turns acting, adapting and observing. In each case we get to explore more about our styles, others' styles and how to move closer to the people we're communicating with in the moment.

I knew much of the details about DISC prior to coming into the training, and I had listened to many of the Manager Tools podcasts. Even with that set-up, I found the training to be helpful and informative. I learned more about DISC through instruction and anecdotes. I also found the practice with my other training participants was quite effective at helping learn how to use the information.