Written by Niki Kerr, Business Coach
Niki Kerr, an award-winning business coach and one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices, is a leading expert in fostering rapid personal and professional development for consultants, business leaders, and transitioning solopreneurs. As the founder of Great Futures Global, she helps professionals not only scale their business but also unlock their full potential through transformative growth.
Over the past few weeks, I, along with everyone else who likes the sound of their own voice, have blogged about New Year’s resolutions, habits, new year, new you, etc., etc. So, what’s your next step? Did you manage to move forward, even if it was a little uncomfortable? Did you persevere, knowing that the more you tread that new path, the more it becomes your normal?
Does that "new normal" now feel like the best decision you ever made?
If it does, high fives all around!
Of course, change is nothing new. Whether it is personal or professional, there are plenty of things that can be irritatingly different, happening on an almost daily basis. Think Apple upgrades! The bottom line is this: change is inevitable, whether you are ready for it or not.
But when it comes to making purposeful change, the key to making it sustainable is figuring out how to navigate it in a way that works for you. The more you understand your own style, what makes you tick, the easier it becomes to make change feel less like a disruption and more like an opportunity.
How each personality style can reframe their approach to change
You do not have to be qualified in change management to know that change is not one-size-fits-all. How we deal with it depends a lot on our personality. So, if whatever you started this year (or any year, for that matter) did not go to plan, or you ended up ditching the plan, there is no need to give up on the goal. Let us just find a more personalised way of achieving it!
Self-awareness
There are many profiling tools available that can help you become more self-aware. Personally, I use the DISC model; it is a powerful way to understand your tendencies and gives you insight into why you might struggle with or embrace change.
So, if you have ever wondered why some changes are harder for you than for others, or if you find yourself stuck in a cycle of indecision, read on for the clarity you need to make a shift.
We will start with a crash course, going deeper into each DISC style so you can quickly identify your tendencies and see how you can reframe your approach to change more effectively.
Dominance (D):The driver who wants results now
You are the type who is all about action. When a change is needed, you want to implement it immediately. Whether it is a new business strategy or a personal challenge, you want to cut through the nonsense, make the decision, and move forward. Waiting or analysing the situation for too long feels like wasting time. You love a challenge, thrive in competition, and feel most comfortable when you are leading the charge.
Recognise yourself?
You are quick to embrace change but often skip over planning and preparation.
You see change as a tool to get ahead and gain control.
You get frustrated when others drag their feet or seem hesitant to act.
Reframing for growth
Your ability to take swift action is a huge asset. However, sometimes the most impactful changes require a bit more groundwork. If you can learn to pause and assess the full picture (for example, who else is involved and the ripple effect), the results might be even better than expected. Change does not have to happen overnight to be effective.
You might think slowing down means losing momentum, but think of it as building a stronger winning formula. The key is balance: act fast, but plan thoroughly.
Try this:
Instead of seeing a plan as a delay, reframe it as a tool for maximising your impact.
Set aside specific time for reflection and strategy before diving in.
Read on to find out about your perfect partner, the "C" type for instance, who can help you see the details you might overlook.
Influence (I): The social butterfly who loves new ideas
For you, change is exciting and full of possibilities. You love starting new projects, especially if they involve people. The idea of trying something new doesn’t scare you at all; it actually energises you. You’re great at inspiring others to embrace change too, making you a natural motivator. However, your enthusiasm sometimes fizzles out when the novelty wears off or when things get tough (or boring!).
Recognise yourself?
You’re quick to jump on board with change, but you may struggle with follow-through.
You get excited by the vision of what could be but can lose focus when things don’t happen immediately.
You thrive on collaboration and need a supportive, fun environment to keep the momentum going.
Reframing for growth
Your enthusiasm for change is infectious, and it’s a powerful motivator. But change isn’t just about starting, it’s about seeing it through to the end. To get the results you want, you need to find ways to keep your motivation high throughout the process, even when it feels tedious. Sustain the excitement by focusing on the little wins along the way. Recognising your progress can help you stay engaged and on track.
Try this:
Create a plan that’s fun and social, filled with small, exciting milestones to maintain motivation.
Work with an accountability partner or a professional coach to help you stay focused on the long-term goal.
Infuse fun into routine tasks by rewarding yourself with something social or creative at each checkpoint.
Steadiness (S): The supporter who values stability
Change is not exactly your best friend. Your superpower is stability and predictability, and the idea of disrupting what is familiar can feel intimidating. It is not that you cannot change; you can. But you like to take your time, think it through, and make sure it will not upset the balance too much. You are not the type to jump into something without careful consideration. Once you have decided change is necessary, though, you will fully commit and see it through.
Recognise yourself?
You resist change at first because you value consistency.
You prefer gradual, incremental changes rather than big, sudden shifts.
You worry about how change will affect your relationships, commitments, and routines.
Reframing for growth
Your preference for stability is a strength; it makes you reliable and thoughtful. But change is inevitable, and it can actually create a better kind of stability in the long run. If you reframe change as a gradual process rather than a disruptive one, you’ll be more open to embracing it. Think of change as a way to create more security and consistency over time, rather than something that threatens it.
Try this:
Focus on the long-term benefits of change, especially how it can bring more balance into your life.
Take change one step at a time – small, manageable shifts that don’t feel overwhelming.
Surround yourself with people who are supportive and patient, helping you feel safe as you adjust.
Conscientiousness (C): The analyser who needs a plan
For you, change needs to be logical. You don’t resist it, but you won’t rush into it either. You need to know the details, weigh the pros and cons, and understand exactly how it’s going to work. Data and facts are your comfort zone, so you approach change cautiously, making sure every step has been meticulously planned. While this ensures you make thoughtful decisions, it can also slow you down if you get stuck in analysis.
Recognise yourself?
You’re not afraid of change, but you need time to plan and analyse before you commit.
You want to ensure that every step of the process is backed by data.
You can sometimes get stuck in “analysis paralysis,” where overthinking keeps you from taking action.
Reframing for growth
Your attention to detail ensures that your changes are well thought out, but at some point, you need to move from planning to action. Reframe change as an ongoing experiment rather than something that has to be perfect from the start. You can still have a plan, but allow room for flexibility and adjustment along the way. This way, you won’t feel stuck in overanalysis.
Try this:
Set a deadline for making a decision or taking action – this keeps you from getting trapped in overthinking.
Accept that not every detail can be perfect, but action will create more data for you to analyse and improve.
Use a step-by-step approach, but allow for flexibility so you can adapt if necessary.
Recognise yourself?
The beauty of the DISC model is that it helps you understand the way you approach change, why some change initiatives are harder for you than others, and, more importantly, how you can use that knowledge to grow. Change isn’t easy, but it’s necessary for progress. Whether you’re the fast-moving "D" who needs to slow down and plan, the enthusiastic "I" who needs help following through, the cautious "S" who can embrace small, steady steps, or the detail-oriented "C" who needs to balance planning with action, there’s a way forward for every style.
The real key to change is making sure your desire for progress is stronger than your comfort with staying the same. Once you understand your own tendencies, you can reframe your approach to change in a way that feels productive and natural.
Read more from Niki Kerr
Niki Kerr, Business Coach
Niki's personal mantra, "There is always a way," is a reflection of her life experiences and determination. Having faced the loss of a parent at an early age, she developed resilience and a drive to become more than what was expected of her. This mantra has guided her through her career and continues to inspire her clients to overcome their own challenges and achieve greatness.
