DISC Assessment

What Is DISC? Adapted from Strengthscape.com: DISC is a research-validated, behavior assessment tool which can be used to enhance the effectiveness of communication between individuals. It identifies four primary behavioral and communication styles: D (dominant), I (inspiring), S (supportive), and C (cautious). There is no ideal style and everyone possesses a blend of all four, although they will display one or two predominant behaviors. The four letters and their interpretation:

Dominant (D):

People with the D style place an emphasis on shaping the environment by overcoming opposition to accomplish results. Their traits and values include:

Strengths	Challenges
results-oriented goals vision driven determined value action like new opportunities fast-paced thrive on winning and competition motivated by success and victory see the big picture see the bottom line accept challenges get straight to the point like audiences independence and personal freedom competency focus on bottom line self-confident	blunt direct, insensitive demanding and forceful strong-willed impatient may lack concern for others skeptical fear vulnerability or being taken advantage of difficulty getting into details and deliberation

When communicating with D-style individuals: give them the bottom line be brief focus your discussion narrowly avoid making generalizations refrain from repeating yourself focus on solutions rather than problems

Inspiring (I)

People with the I style place an emphasis on shaping the environment by influencing or persuading others. Their traits and values include:

Strengths	Challenges
persuasive influential social value interpersonal relationships and friendships open enthusiastic convincing take action magnetic charm, warmth trusting positivity, optimism collaboration, democratic relationships value recognition value popularity, prestige, and authority focus on factual data and details value coaching and counseling values freedom of expression	dislike social absence disorganized impulsive lack follow-through may not want to research all the facts difficultly speaking directly and candidly hard to stay focused for long periods may fear loss of influence dislikes being ignored fear disapproval

When communicating with i-style individuals: share your experiences allow them time to ask questions and talk themselves Focus on the positives avoid overloading them with details don't interrupt them.

Supportive (S):

Their traits and values include:

Strengths	Challenges
collaboration cooperation supportive helpful sincere dependable stable motivated by a congenial work environment calm, patient predictable, consistent loyal deliberate stable value personal accomplishments value group acceptance want power through formal roles and positions of authority want to maintain status quo and controlled environment	fearful of change, resist change fear loss of stability fear offending others doesn’t like to be rushed may be indecisive overly accommodating overly polite and considerate hesitate to state opinions for fear of offending others doesn’t like unclear expectations doesn’t like multi-tasking not comfortable with self-promotion doesn’t like confrontation

When communicating with the S style individuals: be personal and amiable express your interest in them and what you expect from them take time to provide clarification be polite avoid being confrontational, overly aggressive or rude

Cautious (C):

Their traits and values include:

Strengths	Challenges
independent precise quality-minded accurate, correct conscientious towards work value knowledge and growth diplomatic and judicious value objective reasoning and objective processes want details values competency and expertise stable reliable careful, cautious, discreet systematic	can be overly critical can overanalyze may isolate themselves fear criticism fear being wrong delegating compromising joining in social events and celebrations difficult to make quick decisions

When communicating with a C-style individual: focus on facts and details minimize "pep talk" or emotional language be patient, persistent, and diplomatic Resources: 123test.com (free online test) 512solutions.com DiscProfile.com OnlinePersonalityTests.org (free online test) Peoplekeys.com Strengthscape.com Wikipedia.org