DISC Personality Test

During management training this week, Adam completed the DISC Personality Factor Profile. After completing 48 questions, first indicating the word or phrase “most descriptive of general behavior” and second, “least descriptive of how you feel,” and subsequently plotting the results in 3 different graphs, he unsurprisingly discovered that he is an “Influencer”. People with this pattern “view the environment as non-stressful and composed primarily of people who need to be encouraged and inspired. They are outgoing, friendly, and persuasive.” Their objective is to “shape the environment; to bring others into partnership to accomplish results,” their desire is “to be accepted,” their motivations are “opportunities to enjoy themselves; understand others’ feelings; relate to people; repress anxiety by keeping in motion, not counting the time and effort,” and their basic fear is “to be deprived.” These people “avoid humdrum details, leaving them to others”…specifically, the “Steadies.”

I, as it turns out, am a “Steady.” People with this pattern desire “security” and are motivated by “opportunities to express their sincere feelings. They reject that which conflicts with their ideas; can be considered essential by others; justify their demands on others. Their basic fear is “to be alone.” They “listen critically; probe for weaknesses in opposing positions; tend to be intense, diligent and watchful; combine facts to develop new methods of operation; earn respect by actions rather than by words; ask penetrating questions; are excited by possessing knowledge, and often develop expertise in some field; best described as “specialist” (Search Strategy Specialist!) They respond to pressure by “becoming self-controlled; building on familiar patterns; attending to minute details.”

While I sometimes question the utility of such exercises, this provided us with an opportunity to reflect on how these personality traits might contribute to our daily interactions…to help us better understand and appreciate each other and our differences.