All employees bring strengths and weaknesses to our organizational teams. The blending of the strengths and the minimization of weaknesses create opportunities to enjoy success.

The DISC profile is a non-critical, non-judgmental assessment of individual behavioral styles that gives specific feedback to individuals regarding their strengths and weaknesses. The assessment tool is not prescriptive rather it is descriptive. Individual employees have a chance to objectively review their own tendencies as well as better understand the tendencies of their colleagues. Armed with this information, members of a team are better able to receive and utilize the contributions of all members. At the same time, the weaknesses may be objectively reviewed and solutions put into place to ensure team success.

The letters in the assessment represent the following:

 

“D” = Dominance which indicates someone who is strong-willed and who tends to focus on the bottom line;

“I” = Influence which is someone who likes to share ideas, is very social, likes to entertain and energize others;

“S” = Steadiness which indicates someone who prefers to stay behind the scenes working in a consistent and predictable way; and

“C” = Conscientiousness describes someone who prefers to plan ahead and likes systematic approaches.

There is not a “right” or “better” tendency. People are people. While each tendency is strong and different it is possible to exhibit different tendencies when environment and/or circumstances change. It is essential that individuals do not use the information contained in this assessment, or any for that matter, to fully define themselves all of the time. Human beings are much more complicated.

So, what good is this information to a work team? It offers a chance to better understand the visible, verbal and nonverbal behaviors of colleagues, which may minimize misunderstandings and conflict situations. The assessment also offers specific action steps for each of the designated categories which when or if implemented will produce and encourage smoother teamwork.

People are more productive when their behaviors are understood. When this understanding is missing a fertile breeding ground for conflict and misunderstanding is created, which in turn creates a miserable and unproductive environment.

The use of tools such as DISC establishes an objective communication bridge and fosters open and candid discussion among team members.

Here are some possible areas in which to use this assessment tool for members of:

• Natural work teams
• Ad-Hoc task forces and /or committees
• Diversity councils
• Affinity groups
• Mentors and Protégés
• Boards of Directors
• Executive teams
• PTA groups
• Teachers/school committees
• Religious groups
• Families
• Association Groups
• Counselors
• Political groups
• Clubs

The DISC assessment may be used effectively in any instance where there is more than one (1) person.

If you are interested in sampling an assessment, get in touch with us.