Aristotle
DISC doesn’t capture the entire truth of who we are, but it does provide valuable, verified, and valid insights into key characteristics of our communication profile. It is simple, actionable, and insightful. There are no “better” or “worse” DISC profiles; no winners or losers. DISC is not about contrasting, stigmatizing, or amplifying social stereotypes and prejudices.
However, DISC’s simple and powerful language is often misused, leading to misinterpretations, generalizations, labelling, and inappropriate comparisons that have little to do with breaking down communication barriers or increasing awareness of how we perform, collaborate and connect with others – which is the main purpose of the model.
The reading matters as much as the test
Free versions of the DISC assessment, widely available online, provide a general idea of your DISC profile. Some are short, others more detailed, but most offer only basic insights into what your profile is, with little guidance on how to apply this knowledge in your professional life. Usually, a professional assessment delivers a comprehensive 15-page report filled with actionable insights, compared to the two-page summaries offered by the free tools.
The dynamics matter
DISC is a four-factor model (distinguishing four main types: Dominant, Influential, Steady, and Compliant), but the majority of us have a blend of two, or even three, factors that shape our distinct DISC profile. A free test won’t provide much insight into that dynamic and tends to focus primarily on your top factor. In my practice, I often see clients successfully capitalize on their unique blend, enhancing their primary factor with key strengths unlocked by their secondary and tertiary factors.The 3-dimensional analysis matters
A professional DISC report provides important information not only about how you interact with others, but also how you perceive yourself, and what is your natural response to stress. It is worth noting that the three dimensions are not a part of the original model, but are offered by certain certified providers. In my experience, these additional dimensions have proven to be a valuable enhancement, adding depth to the assessment.
It delves into the general characteristics of your DISC profile, highlighting your inclinations towards people or processes, your interests in certain tasks, and your overall preferences when collaborating with others.
It provides insights into your value to the team, identifies your challenge areas and dominant fears. Sources of motivation as well as specific needs regarding work environment and wellbeing factors are also included.
With the growing emphasis on workplace conflicts and efficient collaboration at work, a comprehensive DISC report can help you recognize your communication patterns, the Do’s and Don’t’s, and the potential growth areas and compatibility with others.
DISC also reveals the seven super powers each of us possesses and shows how potent each one is according to your profile. Finally, it reveals the 3-dimensional analysis of your Private, Perceived and Public Self, helping you understand how certain environments, others, stress, and self-perceptions influence your communication, performance, and overall behaviour.
One way or another, these key areas are present in any certified provider’s comprehensive report and provide plenty of information to consider, work with, and practice. Working with an accredited consultant on your DISC profile can help you apply the tool’s insights more effectively to the specifics of your own professional life.
Why get a professional reading of your DISC profile?
DISC doesn’t capture the entire truth of who we are, but it does provide valuable, verified, and valid insights into key characteristics of our communication profile. A professional analyst can deepen your understanding and offer perspectives tailored to you, your industry, the team you are part of, the manager or stakeholders you may struggle to connect with, and the cultural settings you operate within, among other factors.
A professional will help you identify specific aspects of your DISC profile that might shed light on common challenges or recurring patterns you face at work. A DISC reading offers an objective overview of your innate strengths and helps you acknowledge your barriers, showstoppers, and areas for development.
Most importantly, an accredited analyst will guide you in interpreting your profile in a way that avoids misconceptions or misinterpretations – a common trap with many assessment tools. I have witnessed DISC’s simple yet powerful language being used for generalizations, labelling, and inappropriate comparisons that have little to do with breaking down communication barriers and increasing awareness of how we connect with others – which is the main purpose of the model.
There are no “better” or “worse” DISC profiles; there are no winners or losers. The professional DISC assessment is not about contrasting, stigmatizing, or comparing, nor is it meant to amplify social stereotypes or prejudices. It is about providing a clear, objective understanding of your unique strengths and challenges regarding communication, collaboration, performance, and connection, without exaggerating the model’s impact.
DISC is a highly-contextual model, meaning it offers insights specific to a given social context, such as the professional environment, which is the most common application of the tool. Whatever your DISC profile turns out to be, it is valid only for the context (or the environment) you had in mind when completing the test. This may mean that you exhibit one DISC profile at work, as a leader, and a slightly different or distinctly different DISC profile as a parent, for example. And yes, our DISC profile may shift or change over time – especially if circumstances change. A professional DISC analyst would make sure to emphasize this before you complete the test.
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Finally, DISC is not a magic wand or a quick fix that solves all problems. If the model has captured your interest, take some time to learn more about it before committing to a professional assessment. I’ve shared some observations and thoughts about DISC in my blog, and there are plenty of online resources that can help you understand its basics and start applying its insights at work.I personally recommend investing in a professional DISC assessment if you are struggling with your current job, project, or team; have recently been promoted; are considering a career change; are starting your first adult job; or if your professional role involves communication with various stakeholders, collaboration, networking, or negotiating in fast-paced and / or cross-cultural settings. DISC is also a valuable tool for managers and HRM specialists. Additionally, it serves as a good starting point if you are considering working with a professional coach, as the model delves into our goal-setting strategies, energizing and inspiring factors, and fears that may stand in the way of achieving what we desire.
Knowing more about DISC helps us gain clarity, perspective, confidence, and comfort in the fact that we are not alone, we are not failing, we are not broken, and we are not incapable. As stubborn and disheartening as these thoughts may be, they are simply thoughts, not our entire reality.
Contact me today for a 20-minute call, free of charge, to explore how DISC can support your professional and personal growth.
