Energizing Leaders: DiSC i Style Leadership
Key Takeaways
- Energizing leaders align with the i style in the Everything DiSC® model of leadership.
- People with an energizing leadership style are often collaborative, enthusiastic, and outgoing when leading.
- Every type of leader can learn from energizing leaders how to build enthusiasm, grow their network, and display passion.
You can find the energizing dimension on the northeast side of the Everything DiSC® model. Understanding all eight types of DiSC® leadership helps you stretch into other styles to fit different situations.
The energizing leadership style
Energizing leaders are collaborative and enthusiastic. Everyone can draw on this type of leadership when launching a new initiative or building excitement.
Energizing leaders pump up the energy around them. Ideas flow from their lips. They try to create innovative environments.
Like other DiSC i styles, they have a need for variety. They find excitement in new ideas and new people.
Leaders with an energizing personality can be distractible. They'd rather follow a new idea than focus on routine details and obstacles that need attention. i-style leaders can appear scattered and inconsistent. Their excitement and optimism can lead them to neglect or discount potential problems.
Strengths of energizing leaders:
- They’re able to rally people around group goals.
- They tend to look on the bright side.
- They’re comfortable being in the spotlight.
- They’re often accepting of other people’s ideas.
- They take time to celebrate accomplishments.
- They build solid professional networks.
- They have a knack for selling ideas.
- They show appreciation for other people’s contributions.
Goals of energizing leaders:
- Popularity
- Approval
- Excitement
Areas for improvement:
- Being more objective
- Following through on tasks
Source: The 8 Dimensions of Leadership
What can we learn from energizing leaders?
1. Build enthusiasm for the group’s goals
Some people need to see their leader’s energy going toward a goal before they will invest their own energy. A leader’s mood can influence the entire team.
Everyone loves to feel needed and part of something greater than themselves. Energizing leadership invites others in, welcomes them to the party, and celebrates everyone’s successes. Scheduling team-building events, social activities, and off-site meetings can help engage your team. These activities align their efforts toward a common goal.
Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, The Leadership Challenge
2. Yes, who you know does matter
People-oriented individuals, like the energizing leader, make connections with ease. They enjoy being connectors—introducing like-minded people. Others have to do it more deliberately.
Building networks can feel manipulative, insincere, or way too time-consuming. But acting in isolation is lonely and ineffective. By engaging with people from your organization and beyond, you gain valuable feedback and fresh ideas. They can challenge your thinking and alert you to new opportunities.
Herminia Ibarra and Mark Lee Hunter, How Leaders Create and Use Networks, Harvard Business Review
3. Learn to lead the rally
It’s up to the leader to create a sense of community and of being part of something that matters. If you show no passion, why should your followers? Deliberate leaders are on the opposite side of the DiSC model from energizing leaders, so they struggle with this. But you can learn how to be more inspirational, outgoing, and enthusiastic, even if it drains some of your energy.
Jack Zenger and Joe Folkman, The Handbook for Leaders
Growth opportunities for DiSC i-style leaders
Focus and intentionality
Energizing leaders can have a hard time slowing down long enough to address details and obstacles. They want to simply trust in their gut instincts and get moving. Often a leader has to dig into big data and analysis.
If a leader rushes too quickly, their followers might see them as distracted, disorganized, or flighty. Thinking out loud or sharing all one’s ideas can make it hard for employees to know what to follow up on. If the leader pays little attention to their priorities, questioning and skeptical members of a team can feel dismissed.
Comfort with conflict
Liking to keep things pleasant, the energizing leader often has a low tolerance for negative emotions or conflict. They can let their own emotions build until they become overwhelmed and lash out. Or they avoid conflict that could have led to better decisions or to innovative processes. Working out difficult personnel issues or making unpopular decisions can be taxing for this type of leader.
Being proactive about problems
One more difficulty comes from a positive drive for movement and momentum. Dealing with process inefficiencies, interpersonal conflicts, and communication gaps can be difficult. At first, these types of issues seem like speed bumps, but they can end up being brick walls if not addressed.
Discover your leadership style
Everything DiSC Work of Leaders® provides personalized guidance for every style of leader to be more effective. The assessment reveals your DiSC leadership style and the report provides tools to grow your leadership skills.
Related reading
Build enthusiasm for the group’s goals
- The Best Leaders Have a Contagious Positive Energy, Harvard Business Review
- How to Motivate Employees: 10 Tips for Leaders, ExtensisHR
- 5 Ways to Encourage Team Spirit, Vantage Circle
Yes, who you know does matter
- It doesn’t have to be lonely at the top, Forbes India
- Women Improving Their Lives Through Networks: A Conversation, Gallup
- Hybrid Work: Getting Leaders to Stay Connected with Teams, HR Exchange Network
Learn to lead the rally
- Change Management: How To Rally People Around Change, The Manual
- When Leaders Say They Are Aligned—But Aren’t, Boston Consulting Group
- Inspirational leadership: 3 keys to motivating, empowering people, Las Vegas Business Press
Posted 09/16/2013, Last Updated 11/28/2022
