Know Thyself, Know Thy Team

Side-splitting laughter as well as the occasional snort could be heard escaping the walls at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministries’s 2nd Year class on Wednesday.  It was none other than the infamous Danny Silk speaking to the new students, teaching about “Knowing Thyself” and “Knowing Thy Team.”  Who would have known such a practical message about understanding yourself and and your teammates could be packed with jokes, impersonations, and wisdom all at the same time?  Danny spoke to teach the students a little more about themselves and their peers, showing them how to operate in their strengths and identity as leaders, as well as to manage their anxiety in moments of weakness.  He emphasized that being a leader is not about making other people try to be like us, but to empower them to be themselves.  I Corinthians 12:18-20 was mentioned, reminding us that there are “many members, but one body,” that we cannot all be the same, but we are all in it together. 

 Danny’s main illustration for the day was the DISC test.  It is a personality assessment that describes people’s tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses in four parts: Dominant, Influencer, Steadfast, and Conscientious.  Each of these personality types Danny demonstrated to the students with full animation, thus resulting in the endless laughter!  For example, he described that the Dominant personality is easy to spy: they will come out of the womb, ready for somebody to salute them!  These are all of our natural born leaders: CEOs, presidents, admirals, and world class leaders who will stop at nothing to leave a mark on their generation.  The Influencers say, “Give me that microphone!”  Their ideas come a mile a minute, and they are verbal processors to the max.  “Here comes another thought!” bantered Danny, impersonating the “I”.  The Steadfast ones are the faithful, loyal servants who will do anything to keep the peace and are the best of friends.  “A high ‘I’ is like a Ferrari - needs a tune up after you go to the gas station,” Danny said, “but the ‘S’ is like the 1950’s military jeep that lasts forever - pretty low maintenance.”  Lastly, the Conscientious are the information hounds, the ones who will Google everything on the planet.  Their worst nightmare is to be wrong. They are incredibly detail-oriented, analytical folks and usually slow to change.  Danny said, “If you ever find yourself in an argument with a high ‘C,’ just shut up and walk away because you’re WRONG!” 

              He explained that there are always blends and mixes of these personality types, but to know yourself and your teammates enables you to be considerate of each other in any situation.  He also highlighted being mature enough as leaders to function even in our weaknesses.  Can you bring enthusiasm and passion to the table like the “I”?   Can you be sensitive to others like the “S,” driven like the “D,” or even careful and observant like the “C”?  Jesus was the ultimate example of mature leadership.  He led in freedom and love, drawing out the involvement and acceptance of people that were much different from him.  If you can do that as a leader, then your team will be successful.  Danny illustrated, “Just because a conductor started out as a drummer doesn’t mean he’s going to have an orchestra of drums!” So what kind of a leader are you going to be?

Stephanie Foster

9-10-2010