dis
Sample User ID Number 1137038
Work Environment Version Test Number 111342
Assessment Completed Apr 19, 2022 at DISCPersonaltityTesting.com
Report Build Version 2
We use your
Natural (Internal)
style graph to
develop this report.
How to Get the Most from Your Assessment
• Look at your graphs (page 3).
• Read the style descriptive pages (pages 4-12).
• Reflect on what the report tells you – make notes in it, underline key points, and
think about how you can use what you have learned to develop better skills for
connecting and communicating with others.
• Read the information about the DISC model for greater insights into both the
strengths and limitations of the model (pages 13-28).
• Share your results and discuss them with someone you trust to give you honest
feedback. For expert, objective feedback and advice about using this information,
schedule a conversation with one of our professional DISC coaches. Learn more
about this opportunity at http://DISCPersonalityTesting.com/coaching .
Reading Your Graphs
The Bar Graphs
When we look at your graphs to identify your predominant traits, we focus on the
Natural or Internal style graph (specifically the bar graph
on the left side of page 3). We do this because your
Natural style tends to be more consistent and less
influenced by what you were thinking about at the time
you took the assessment.
Does this focus mean that your Adapted style
graph is unimportant?
Absolutely not!
Sample,
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Your style is a blend
of all four DISC
styles.
You can learn a great deal by comparing your Natural style graph with your
Adapted style graph to find both similarities and differences. Careful examination of the
two bar graphs can give you a great deal of valuable information and insights into how
(and possibly why) you act the way you do and great clues about how you can better
adapt your behaviors to connect and communicate with others more effectively. In a
nutshell, one is more internal – related to your drives and motivations – and the other is
more external – related to the actual behaviors you show to others. Here’s what the two
charts tell you:
• Your Natural style generally represents the perspectives, viewpoints, or
filters you use to view and interpret the world. It also probably describes
the type of environment that would be most comfortable for you.
• Your Adapted style usually describes the set of behaviors you have
learned to use to adapt to the environment where you live and work.
If you would like expert assistance and insights on how to better interpret the
similarities and differences between your two bar graphs, we suggest that you speak
with a DISC coach who has studied the model in depth and can guide you through the
interpretation process.
The Pie Charts
The pie charts add additional insights and highlight the fact that your style is a
blend of all four styles. Because of this blending of traits,
you are not exactly like any other person – not even a
person with a very similar blend. This report will give you
insights based on how your traits fit within the overall
spectrum of trait blends. Read it, reflect on it, mark it up with
a pen or pencil if necessary. Use the report as a starting-point for discussion and
reflection. Take what it says and make it personal to you. Then you will have a great tool
for improving your effectiveness at working, communicating, and connecting with other
people.
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Congratulations Sample!
Your style is C/DS
Your Natural / Internal Style Your Adapted / External Style
The bar graphs below show the intensity or consistency of each style in your blend.
The pie charts below show the relative mix of each style in your blend. The data is rounded and
might not equal exactly 100%.
Your natural, or internal, style represents the
internal motivations that drive you the most. This
is the part of you that is likely to represent how
you think or feel about situations more than it
represents how you act or behave. Some people
say that this represents who you are rather than
what you do. It is also the part of you least likely
to change throughout your lifetime.
Your adapted, or external, style represents the
way that you tend to act or behave. It's the part
of you that others are most likely to see. This
part of you often represents how you have
learned to adapt or adjust your behaviors to be
successful in your environment. These behaviors
can change depending on the environment you
are in or thinking about when you take the
assessment.
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Your natural or internal style charted as primarily Cautious with two secondary traits –
the Dominant and Supportive traits. This means that you have three styles that plot above
the average line in the natural style bar graph. The Cautious trait plots highest. Your
Dominant trait plots next highest. We often call this the C/DS style. Notice that you also have
some of the Inspiring trait and that the pie chart includes all four traits.
You probably like to move both tasks and people forward towards logical, well-thought
out solutions. You probably prefer sticking to the facts and objective observations rather than
talking about how people feel. You may seek activities where you have the opportunity to
make decisions and get results through individual effort and study. You generally move at a
controlled pace so that you don’t miss details. You are likely unafraid to stand alone, but you
would prefer to have people work with you in a positive, collaborative approach to things.
A Quick Summary of Your Style
Your Primary Drive Careful, conscientious follow-through, accuracy
Your Greatest Gifts Creating order and structure for practical results
What You Contribute Thorough evaluation and analysis, follow- through, sensitive to co-workers
Your Ideal Environment Working alone or with a small group to create quality results
Your Greatest Concern Not having the time to confirm data prior to deciding
When You are Stressed Factual, direct, unemotional, critical
Blind Spot Spontaneous or quick decisions
Styles that Complement You I, I/D, I/C, D/I, D/C
All About Sample
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Words That Probably Describe You
❑ Correct
❑ Determined
❑ Questioning
❑ Stable
❑ Strong-willed
❑ Focused
❑ Calm
❑ Industrious
❑ Curious
❑ Dependable
Your Strengths
Every behavior style has natural strengths. These strengths are what will often carry
you through difficult situations. They are the parts of you that come out comfortably and
easily. When you understand your strengths, you can learn how to use them for greatest
impact and leverage them for better results when you work, live, communicate, and connect
with other people. Knowing your strengths also helps you to know what types of situations
allow you to perform at your best.
Your greatest strengths probably show up as…
❑ Great insights
❑ Goal accomplishment
❑ Practicality
❑ Consistency
❑ Problem solving skill
❑ Focused action
❑ Analysis
❑ Systematic approaches
❑ Getting results
❑ Critical thinking
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Your Blind Spots
We all have “blind spots” in our behavioral style blends. Blind spots are usually areas
of our behaviors or perceptions where we simply do not see clearly. Sometimes, these blind
spots are so “blind” to us that we do not even realize that we fail to see ourselves or others
clearly in this area of our communications and interactions. In many cases, your blind spots
are merely your strengths taken to an extreme.
The good news is that you can learn to adapt and compensate for your blind spots.
You can learn about them, how to recognize them, how others perceive them, what triggers
your response in these areas, and what you can do to make conscious adjustments to stop a
blind spot from becoming a weakness.
Areas that might be blind spots for you…
❑ Quick decisions. When you have limited time to collect or evaluate data, you
might struggle to make quick decisions.
❑ Expressing emotions. Showing others how you feel so that you can connect and
communicate with them can be difficult for you.
❑ Flexibility. Since you are pretty sure that you have evaluated the data
accurately, it can be difficult for you to accept other people’s perspectives and
viewpoints.
❑ Interacting with people. Your low Inspiring trait can lead you to isolate from
rather than engage with others – even when necessary.
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Your Communication Style
When you interact with others, you probably listen well – maybe too well. You might
read more detail into what people say than they really mean. You might focus on verifying or
validating what people tell you rather than just hearing their viewpoint. You likely prefer
deciding on your own to deciding with others.
You probably…
❑ Speak factually and unemotionally.
❑ Analyze thoroughly before deciding.
❑ Enjoy brief conversations about ideas and concepts.
❑ Get frustrated when the conversation seems frivolous.
❑ Get stressed if you sense that the discussion is not moving towards a decision
or action or logical conclusion.
❑ Prefer to avoid conflicts but can handle limited confrontation and debate.
❑ Express your frustration, impatience, or disagreement with calm questions.
❑ Show very little enthusiasm and excitement externally.
❑ Use level, possible soft, voice tones.
❑ Try to persuade others with reason and logic.
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Your Decision Making Style
As a person with a C/DS blend, you likely base most of your decisions on the best path
to a logical solution or measurable, practical result. You are probably comfortable making a
decision, but you want some data prior to deciding. In group settings when a decision is
needed, you may be the one who asks clarifying questions and collects data and input prior to
deciding. You can lead a group if needed, and you would prefer to let someone else be the
group spokesperson. When you choose between two problem solutions that trade speed for
quality, your natural bias probably drives you towards practicality and quality.
Your focus in decision making is probably…
❑ Correctness
❑ Excellence
❑ Practicality
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Your Response to Stress
You might feel stress when:
❑ People make decisions on a basis different from yours.
❑ People interact with you in a way that is different from your natural style.
❑ You see illogical decisions or unfocused action.
❑ The path to a solution involves too much discussion.
When you feel stress, you may respond with:
❑ “Digging in your heels”
❑ Quiet resistance
❑ Direct, blunt statements or questions
❑ Deciding on your own path
❑ Resisting the input of others
In extreme cases, these responses might become:
❑ Stubbornly resisting input and discussion
❑ Refusing to acknowledge emotional issues
How you Re-energize
Stressful situations and events can leave you feeling drained. Engaging in a cognitive,
physical activity that allows you to solve problems will probably help you to de-stress and re-
energize. Here are some things that might help you to re-energize:
❑ A building or organizing project
❑ Working alone to complete a task
❑ Taking time to reflect and think
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In-Control vs. Out-of-Control
Use your knowledge of DISC Behavior style information to
❑ Adjust how you view and interpret other people’s behaviors, and
❑ Adapt your behaviors to make it easier for others to interact with you.
When you do this, you will accomplish more and get better results from all of your interactions
and relationships.
When you do these two things, we say that your behaviors are in-control. When you do
not do these two things – when you stick with your natural style regardless of the situation –
we say that your behaviors are out-of-control.
In reality, all of us struggle to some degree to behave in a way that is totally in-control. We
all have moments when we let our behavior style control us rather than us controlling it. Still,
the goal is to find better ways to speak, act, and interact when we work with others.
You do not have to be perfect. In most cases, you just have to make the effort. When you
do make the effort, you get more done with less relational damage.
The table on the next page will give you insights into how others might interpret your in-
control or out-of-control behaviors based on how they see the world.
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How Others View You...
When you are… In-control Out-of-control
People with
Dominant traits see
you as…
❑ Productive
❑ Effective
❑ Accomplishing
❑ Disrespectful
❑ Arrogant
❑ Argumentative
People with
Inspiring traits see
you as…
❑ Successful
❑ Ambitious
❑ Likeable
❑ Rude
❑ Cold
❑ Inflexible
People with
Supportive traits see
you as…
❑ Decisive
❑ Strong
❑ Helpful
❑ Angry
❑ Aggressive
❑ Mean
People with Cautious
traits see you as…
❑ Results oriented
❑ Problem solving
❑ Valuable
❑ Dismissive
❑ Arrogant
❑ Confrontational
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How to Adapt Your Style to Others for Better Results
When working with a High D Style: Get to the point quickly. Give them choices. Be
assertive. Avoid asking too many questions. Make more statements. Let them know
how what you are doing helps to increase productivity.
When working with a High I Style: Make an extra effort to be friendly. Lean on your
Supportive traits here. Be less business-like. Smile with them, and listen to their stories
or jokes. Laugh with them.
When working with a High S Style: Be careful of asking too many questions. Soften your
voice and use friendly gestures. Focus more on the “tried and proven” than on the
“new.” Give them a chance to process change before pressing for a decision.
When working with a High C Style: Answer their questions thoroughly and in detail. Provide
facts, figures, graphs and validation. If they seem hesitant, back off. If you push, you
will probably make them more resistant rather than less. Address their objections
without sounding dismissive or condescending.
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Your report is good
for developing
better insights and
understanding.
Beware of over-
interpreting or
over-reading it.
Understanding the DISC Model
Let’s face it, the information and observations we discuss in this report are not
exactly new. Observers of human nature began to notice predictable patterns in the
behaviors of people a long-time ago. In fact, the ideas we are
about to describe have been studied and discussed since at
least the time of the great Greek physician Hippocrates – about
twenty-four hundred years ago.
This report is based, in large part, on the work of Dr.
William Mouton Marston. In the early 1900’s, Dr. Marston
formalized his observations of these patterns when he
developed the DISC Model of Human Behavior. While we still
use the general patterns that Dr. Marston wrote about in his book The Emotions of
Normal People (1928), we have also added information that comes from more recent
observations, and we have updated some of the terminology to use more current
wording and phraseology.
We believe that when you understand these patterns in human behavior, you will
greatly improve your understanding of both yourself and
others. Before we get too far into the description though,
we have a caveat for you to consider: beware of over-
interpreting or over-reading this information.
Remember to read both the general descriptions
of the model and the specific observations about your
style (or any other person’s style) with a focus on
developing greater understanding and empathy rather
than with a focus on labeling and judging. We have found that understanding the model
has helped us build better, stronger relationships and to communicate more powerfully.
If you will study the model and its application, you can get the same results.
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Two Basic Drives
We start our description of the DISC model by defining two key
motivators that tend to drive our behaviors. One motivator is called our
motor drive (or pace drive) and the other is called our compass drive
(or priority drive).
➢ Motor Drive (also called the Pace Drive)
Your motor drive determines your most comfortable pace. This drive affects how
quickly – the pace – at which people move, talk, act, and decide. It also affects how
intensely and outwardly you show your thoughts and feelings. That’s why we are using
a speedometer as the image to go this this section.
When we talk about the motor drive, we describe it in terms
of a line (sometimes called a line of continuum) with two extreme
ends. We describe the extreme ends with the words:
• Outgoing or faster paced, and
• Reserved or slower paced.
People with a more OUTGOING pace tend to move fast, speak fast, and decide
fast. They generally have louder voice tones, and they often show their thoughts
and feelings outwardly and intensely.
People with a more RESERVED pace tend to observe, evaluate, and analyze
situations before deciding. They generally have softer voice tones, and they often
keep their thoughts and feelings more concealed or private.
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Outgoing/Faster pace
Reserved/Slower pace
To graphically illustrate this concept, we represent the range of normal human
behaviors and perspectives with a circle and then we draw a vertical line representing
the pace drive on top of the circle as shown in Figure 1. When we say “normal human
behaviors and perspectives,” we mean behaviors and perspectives derived from
normal, healthy psychology – more on this idea later. For now, let’s focus on
understanding what the drives tell us and remember that nothing in this report or in the
DISC model describes or discusses any type of psychosis, mental illness, or
psychological abnormality.
The shading of the circle from lighter to darker indicates varying intensities of
these drives as you move from the center to the ends. Close to the middle of the circle
would represent less intensity in the motor activity, and we use lighter shading towards
the center. Moving towards the outer edge of the circle represents higher intensity in the
motor drive, and we use darker shading. Your perspectives and behaviors could lie
anywhere along this line. You may see the world and behave in way that is towards
either end of the motor drive line. If this is the case, you would be either extremely
OUTGOING or extremely RESERVED. It is also possible that your behaviors and
perspectives could be closer to the middle of the circle. If this is the case, you would
exhibit only moderately OUTGOING or moderately RESERVED traits.
Most people will exhibit a bit of both of these traits depending on the situation
they find themselves in. Even though this is usually true, most people will tend to exhibit
more of one trait or the other – even if it is only slightly more.
Figure 1: Motor Drive
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➢ Compass Drive (also called the Priority Drive)
Just as each person has a motor which drives them,
everyone also has an internal compass drive. The compass drive
relates to the direction people tend to focus or think about first.
That’s why we use a compass as the image for this section.
And, just as we did with the motor drive, we describe the
compass drive in terms of a line with two extreme ends. We
describe the extreme ends of the compass drive with the terms:
• Task-oriented, and
• People-oriented.
To demonstrate this concept graphically, we go back to our circle of normal
behaviors and perspectives and place another line on it that goes from left to right as
shown in Figure 2. Just as with the motor drive, the shading of the arrows from lighter to
darker indicates varying intensities of the compass drive. Close to the midline shows
less intensity in the compass drive, therefore light shading. Towards the outer edge
shows more intensity in the compass drive, therefore darker shading. You may be
extremely TASK-ORIENTED or extremely PEOPLE-ORIENTED. Or, you may be only
moderately TASK-ORIENTED or moderately PEOPLE-ORIENTED.
People with a TASK-ORIENTED
focus often view the world
through the lens of form, function,
process, results, data, and
thoughts. They often say: “I think
that…”
People with a PEOPLE-
ORIENTED focus often view the
world through the lens of
relationships, sharing, caring,
emotions, connection, and
feelings. They often say: “I feel
that…”
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Task Oriented People Oriented
Figure 2: Compass Drive
Four Basic DISC Styles or Types
When you combine the drawings for the motor and compass drives, you get the
circle of normal behaviors and perspectives divided into four
quadrants as Figure 3. This figure, sometimes called the DISC
circle, represents the full graphical description of what we call
The DISC Model of Human Behavior.
Notice that each quadrant of the DISC circle has
descriptive words attached to it. These descriptive words
attempt to capture the typical behavior exhibited by people who have the combination of
motor and compass drives that corresponds to that quadrant. These descriptive words
show behavioral traits or tendencies that describe each quadrant of the circle.
To make the quadrants easier to discuss, we often call each quadrant a
behavioral type or style. While it is not strictly or technically accurate from a clinical
psychology standpoint to use the phrase personality type with this model, the phrase is
often used in normal, everyday conversation. We prefer to use the phrase behavioral
style because it more accurately fits the model and its theoretical basis.
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Outgoing/Faster pace
Reserved/Slower pace
People Oriented Task Oriented
The main characteristic trait for each behavioral type (quadrant of the DISC
circle) is used as the representative word for that type: Dominant, Inspiring, Supportive,
and Cautious.
Figure 3: The DISC Model of Human Behavior
People who have both:
Outgoing and Task-oriented traits often exhibit...
DOMINANT and DIRECT behaviors.
Other words that might describe a person with strong
outgoing and task-oriented traits are:
• Determined
• Decisive
• Doer
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Outgoing and People-oriented traits often exhibit...
INSPIRING and INTERACTIVE behaviors.
Other words that might describe a person with strong
outgoing and people-oriented traits are:
• Influencing
• Interested in People
• Involved
Reserved and People-oriented traits often exhibit...
SUPPORTIVE and STEADY behaviors.
Other words that might describe a person with strong
reserved and people-oriented traits are:
• Stable
• Status-quo
• Sensitive
Reserved and Task-oriented traits often exhibit...
CAUTIOUS and CAREFUL behaviors.
Other words that might describe a person with strong
reserved and task-oriented traits are:
• Calculating
• Consistent
• Concerned
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This model can help you understand people by describing four main, or primary,
behavioral styles. However, each individual person can, and likely will, display
some of all four behavioral styles depending on the situation. This blend of styles
within each person is called a style blend. Each person’s style blend will have more of
some traits and less of others. The types that are strongest in a style blend will display
above the mid-line point on the DISC style bar-graphs and they are called High-Styles.
The types that are less prevalent in a style blend are called low styles because they
display below the mid-line point on the DISC style bar-graphs.
Behavioral Style Blends
When we speak about DISC Behavioral styles, we recommend speaking about style
blends rather than focusing solely on a person’s highest trait. In reality, only a small
percentage of people have a behavioral style blend that is only one High-DISC type with
three low types (although it does happen for about 5% of people). Most people (about
80%) have two High-DISC types and two Low-DISC types in their personal behavioral
style blend.
Some shortcuts you can use in discussing the
different behavioral types:
the DOMINANT type is also known as High D
the INSPIRING type is also known as High I
the SUPPORTIVE type is also known as High S
the CAUTIOUS type is also known as High C
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Understand the four
basic types, and you
can use them as a
way to frame your
interactions with
others to become
more effective.
For you, this means that one DISC type may be the highest of the four in your style
blend, and you probably have at least one secondary DISC type which is also high
(meaning that it is above the mid-line in your style blend bar graph).
Your secondary type supports and influences the predominant type in your style
blend. For example:
• A person whose highest type is Supportive and whose secondary type is
Cautious would have a Supportive/Cautious (S/C) style blend.
• A person whose highest type is Supportive and whose secondary type is
Inspiring would have a Supportive/Inspiring (S/I) style blend.
If we looked only at the highest style, we would say that both of the people in the
example above have High-S type behaviors. And we would be off-target in many
guesses we made about their perspectives because the difference in their secondary
traits could make them act, think, decide, and behave quite differently from each other.
We said that most people have at least one secondary trait. As we said, this is true
for about 80% of people and that about 5% of people have only one High-DISC style.
So that we don’t forget the remaining 15%, let’s fill in some missing information…
About 15% of people have two secondary traits that support and influence their
primary behavior trait. This means that they have three High-DISC types and one Low-
DISC type in their style blend. If we added the Dominant trait as a high type for the
people in the example above, the Supportive/Cautious
(S/C) could become a Supportive/Cautious-Dominant
(S/CD) style and the Supportive/Inspiring (S/I) person
could become a Supportive/Inspiring-Dominant (S/ID)
style.
When you consider this blending of behavioral styles
and different degree of each type in different people, you
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Remember:
Think Blends and Not
Boxes
can easily see how the four primary traits can be used to understand the large variability
among people. Using the four basic style types, we can create forty-one generalized
type blends with variations of degree within each basic blend type. (And we haven’t
even considered experience, culture, family of origin, and gender differences.)
The good news is that you don’t have to remember all 41 style blends and
descriptions to use the DISC model to improve your ability to interact with people. It’s
really much simpler than that, and that’s why we use it and recommend it to others.
When you learn to understand the four basic types, you can use them as a way to frame
your interactions with others to become more effective. From a simple model, you really
can build the ability to connect and communicate with lots of people more effectively.
An Application Tip
The four basic behavioral styles represent reference points for understanding
different perspectives. Each of us has a blend of all four traits. We are NOT just one
type or the other. Use the DISC Model to understand frames of reference and not as a
tool to "box people in."
When you think blends rather than boxes, you can
use the DISC model as a simple, practical, non-
judgmental “alphabet” to get a better frame of reference
for understanding how another person views and relates
to the world even when his or her view is different from
yours.
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Applying the DISC Model
Relative Measurement vs. Absolute Measurement
Understanding the DISC model in a personal vacuum falls in the category of
interesting and still useless information. We believe that the best way to use the model
is as a relative “measurement” of behavior rather than as an absolute one. A relative
measurement defines an observation relative to another observation (two boards, two
cars, two houses, or two people). An absolute measurement defines an observation
based on a known and accepted standard. For example:
• Turn left is relative (to the observer) while turn north is absolute.*
• You might say that a house is big or small relative to other houses while saying
that a house has 4000 square feet is a statement of absolute measurement.
vs.
Relative Measurement Absolute Measurement
When we apply the idea of relative vs. absolute to the DISC model, we see that
the style descriptors are relative statements rather than absolute ones. They define a
person’s pattern of behavior relative to a hypothetical behavioral average and not to a
generally agreed upon, validated, and accepted behavioral standard. So, when we say
that a person has Dominant (you could substitute Inspiring, Supportive, or Cautious
there) traits, we mean that they tend to behave in a more dominant fashion than the
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theoretical, hypothetical average person. (That sentence is intentionally redundant to
make a point.)
The practical implication of this point is that everyone can exhibit Dominant,
Inspiring, Supportive, or Cautious behaviors at any time and in any situation. It’s just
that most – not all – people will tend towards some pattern of behaviors that is
consistent across a wide range of situations. Observing these tendencies gives us an
insight into how they see, interpret, and respond to the world they live in. By
understanding the other person’s perspective compared to, or relative to, your
perspective (meaning more or less Dominant, more or less Inspiring, etc.), you can start
to understand his or her view of the world. Once you understand how the other person
sees the world, you can then adapt your words, actions, and tone to connect and
communicate better, faster, more efficiently, more effectively, and with less relational
damage.
*For all of you astrophysicists who would say that north is relative because it assumes the Earth as a frame of
reference, we get that. So, assuming that we are speaking from the frame of reference of a person on the Earth
north is absolute.
Behavioral Style Combinations
When two people interact, their style blends come together to form a
combination. This combination is unique to each interaction of people (thus the
importance of defining the difference between comparative and concrete descriptors).
Adding a third person to the mix forms a different combination. Adding a fourth person
forms yet another combination.
The real power in understanding behavior style information lies in developing the
ability to recognize these different combinations and to adapt your behaviors to
effectively work in many different situations.
When you attempt to understand another person’s style blend so that you can
identify the behavioral combination, try to think in big-picture terms. It is more important
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(and more effective) for you to frame your observations in terms of the two drives that
define the four styles. So, ask yourself these questions:
1. Is this person more outgoing or more reserved?
2. Is this person more task-oriented or more people-oriented?
With this quick assessment in mind, you now have a good guess at their primary
style so that you can make the necessary adjustments to your approach to form a better
connection. You do not have to be perfect, and you do not need to overthink this step.
Just make a guess and adjust as you get more information.
Working with People – Understanding Combinations
We compare the process of working with people to taking a trip. On a trip you have
four things to consider:
1. A map to give you a view of the terrain that you are working in.
2. A starting point for your journey.
3. A destination you are trying to reach.
4. A route that considers your starting point, your destination, the map, and any
other challenges you might face in reaching your destination.
Map Starting Point Destination Route
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When you work with other people, you have four similar steps:
1. A Pattern – The DISC model is your “map” on this journey
of working with other people – to objectively describe your
observations about people and their behaviors.
DISC = Map
2. Personal Understanding – By completing this
assessment, you have clearly identified your “starting point”
by applying the pattern to your perspective.
Your Style = Starting Point
3. Understanding Other People – As you work with others,
learn to specify your “destination” by using the pattern to
understand his or her perspective.
Their Style = Destination
4. Practical Application – Use your knowledge of the DISC
model to plan the “route” you will use in working with
another person. Employ the pattern for greater success by
planning and adapting your approach for each person and
each situation.
Approach = Route
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Dangers You Will Face
Every trip has potential pitfalls and challenges. The journey of working with
others is no different. As we coach, train, and consult, we see two common dangers that
you can easily avoid with a little forewarning. The two big dangers are:
1. Labeling, and
2. Assuming you know everything about the person because you know the model.
Labeling vs. Observing
Labeling others happens when you use the behavioral
style label to describe the person rather than the behavior or the
perspective.
For example:
• “John is a Dominant person,” labels John.
• “John has many dominant behaviors” and “John seems to have a Dominant
perspective” are simply observations.
The danger with labeling is that it leads to communication strategies that tend to
damage relationships and escalate conflicts. Observations about behavior and
perspectives leave your mind open to inquire and seek understanding rather than
jumping to conclusions.
Assuming you Know Everything about the Person
We have already alluded to the fact that the DISC model is only one lens into the
world of another person. You must also consider their educational background, gender,
culture, family and relationship history, and other life experiences in order to completely
understand them. Knowing the DISC model and learning to use it to understand others
can help you to build a bridge better and faster, and it is still incomplete knowledge.
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As you work with others, remain open to the feedback and perspectives they
share with you to gain further, deeper insights into their observations, perspectives,
motivations, and aspirations. We encourage you to use the DISC model to get a good
first guess at how to connect with another person. After you understand his or her DISC
style, continue to inquire and observe to refine and improve your interactions.
Your Next Steps
We hope that this report is just one of many steps that you will take to become a
better:
• Leader
• Teacher
• Mentor
• Coach
• Team member
• Business owner
• Parent, or
• Spouse
Here are some things you might consider as you continue learning and growing in
your use of this information.
• Purchase DISC assessments for your whole team at:
https://discpersonalitytesting.com/multiple-assessment-purchase/
• Get other learning resources using the DISC model. You can learn more about
those products and services at:
https://discpersonalitytesting.com/home/disc-resources/
• Get additional resources – audios, books, etc. We use this model in our book
From Bud to Boss. If you are a new or aspiring leader, this book can help you
grow in your leadership skills. Learn more at:
http://www.budtoboss.com/bookstore/
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• Attend a live Bud to Boss workshop we lead that uses the DISC model. Learn
more at https://www.budtoboss.com
And, we always welcome readers at our blogs.
• Guy’s Blog – https://recoveringengineer.com/
• Kevin’s blog – https://blog.kevineikenberry.com/
Thanks for trusting us as partners in your learning and development.
Guy Harris and Kevin Eikenberry Indianapolis, Indiana
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Disclaimer and Limit of Liability
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