Saturday, January 18, 2014

Untangle The Mystery Of Other People's Behaviour Using The DISC Personality Test

By Judy Sullivan


The DISC personality test can be a powerful tool for understanding both ourselves and others. Based on a theory devised by William Moulton Marston, it reveals core characteristics that drive our thinking and behaviour. By using this methodology, we can understand ourselves and others better and so enjoy much better work and family lives.

According to DISC theory, we each exhibit one of four main personal styles. They are Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Conscientiousness. Every individual is a combination of the four types, but most of us will have a dominant one. This is augmented by a secondary style, a third style and an inferior style. Some people can have an absent style. Below is a brief outline of each style.

Those with the Dominant style are highly competitive action-takers. They are bold risk-takers who place a lot of value on winning and being successful. Those around them may describe them as having a strong personality, fast-paced and forceful. They tend to be impatient and can be scornful of those they see as weak. To get on with this type, one's communication should be direct and to-the-point. Stand up to them and be solution-orientated.

Influencer types are also great action-takers, but they are much more easy-going. They value collaboration and work well with those who value their positive outlook. Their (many) friends and associates may describe them as fun to be with, enthusiastic, resourceful, warm and charming. Although they will begin their projects with great energy, they can struggle to follow through and they can also be disorganised. Getting along with this type is easy as long as one is a positive team player.

Those with Steadiness as their main style are also generally easy to get on with. They tend to be traditionalists, and value social harmony and co-operation. This need for inter-personal harmony can lead them to be over-accommodating. They can also be indecisive and resistant to change. To get along with an S-type, be friendly, avoid anger, and be sure to show appreciation when appropriate.

Conscientiousness style people tend to be analytical, independent thinkers who prize accuracy and competence. They are also careful, cautious, detail-orientated, diplomatic and tactful. On the downside, they can be over-analytical and over-critical. To get along with a C-type, focus on facts and details, minimise emotional language, and be patient and diplomatic.

As the above outlines demonstrate, each of the four types of people are very distinct, which goes some way to explaining why there can be so much conflict in day-to-day life. It can certainly be a challenge sometimes to get along with others who are very different from ourselves. DISC is a way to make much better sense of other people. It sheds some light on behaviours that can otherwise be baffling and irritating, and helps us reach a place of understanding and avoid conflict.

For those with managerial jobs, the DISC personality test can make organizing personnel effectively much easier. People can be matched with tasks or jobs that suit their style, and lead to much better morale and output. At a purely social level, having insight into the four styles can make social and family life much easier and more rewarding.




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