It’s been proven that we decide if we agree with or reject specific ideas, people, or situations in less than 4 seconds. It’s not a right versus the wrong type of thing—it’s just our personalities responding to different environments the only way we know-how. People all have their strengths and weaknesses, and to avoid conflict, they tend to gravitate towards areas where our communication is at its natural best.
Have you ever wondered why some people “don’t get what you’re saying?” Or have you ever thought, “I can’t figure out why this person talks about the same details over and over?” Do you have to “see” or “feel” the question or task at hand before being convinced of its validity? Or maybe you need to make sense of it before making a decision logically.
The DISC® tool can help you build more cohesive relationships and gain new clients based on the understanding of the four predominant behavioural styles.
THE ORIGIN OF DISC
The DISC Model of Behavior was first proposed by William Moulton Marston, a physiological psychologist with a Ph.D. from Harvard. His 1928 book, Emotions of Normal People, explains his theory on how normal human emotions lead to behavioural differences among groups of people and how a person’s behaviour might change over time. His work focused on directly observable and measurable psychological phenomena. He was interested in using practical explanations to help people understand and manage their experiences and relationships. Marston theorized that the behavioural expression of emotions could be categorized into four primary types, stemming from the person’s perceptions of self-concerning his or her environment. DISC assessments are used worldwide in thousands of organizations, including governmental agencies, non-profits, start-ups, real estate teams, and Fortune 500 companies.
WHAT DOES DISC STAND FOR?
The acronym highlights how people learn, communicate, and function on a day-to-day basis. These personality factors include:
DOMINANCE – how to direct, strong-willed, and forceful a person can be.
INFLUENCE – A person’s attitude towards being friendly, talkative, and lively.
STEADINESS – This is how gentle, accommodating, and soft-hearted a person can be.
CONSCIENTIOUSNESS – How private, analytical, and logical one is.
HOW TO USE DISC TO YOUR ADVANTAGE IN BUSINESS
Knowing who you are and how you thrive is a great way to determine your aptitude for different businesses and how to approach other personality types. If you fall higher on dominance and lower on steadiness, you may bode well, working with clients that respond to that specific personality trait. All business relies on communication, and if that fails, any dealings with a client or coworkers will likely fail later. For example, if you’re the dominant type, explaining to a client that direct communication works best for you will help in future meetings.
It’s also worth noting that knowing where your clients fall on the spectrum could be used to your advantage as well. You can’t exactly force them to take a DISC profile test, but observing how a person operates will help you determine where you think they place on the scale. A person with more of a steadiness personality trait will likely respond well to soft and empathetic communication. If your client falls into the influence category, being open to their lively and friendly demeanour will make them feel more comfortable with you while working together. It’s all about observing and acting accordingly while communicating your needs openly.
WANT TO TAKE YOUR DISC PROFILING ASSESSMENT?
No one is all one personality trait, and the DISC profiling demonstrates that. Each person possesses a unique blend of all four personality traits. If you’d like to take a free personality test, try out an online tool called Crystal Knows. After the test is complete, you’ll see a personality profile for yourself. You can then use the insights to communicate more effectively. We’ve tried it, and it’s fun and easy to use. (We are not affiliated in any way and do not receive compensation if you use it.