The DiSC Model in More Detail…
The foundation of DiSC comes from the work of a Harvard psychologist named Dr. William Moulton Marston in the 1920’s.
He developed a theory that people tend to develop a self-concept based on one of four factors:
D: Dominance
i: Influencing
S: Steadiness
C: Conscientiousness
The DiSC assessment uses adaptive testing and sophisticated algorithms to quickly analyse your responses to deliver an in-depth, personalised and actionable report. The assessment is application-focused, so the feedback is presented to you in the context of you as a leader, manager, individual contributor, or salesperson.
The following is video explaining more about the principles of DiSC.
A bit about the Theory… Two Dimension of Human Behaviour
Although DiSC describes four styles, the model is, at its core, two-dimensional. These two dimensions reflect fundamental aspects of human nature based on pace and priority.
The Vertical Dimension
The vertical dimension is best described as level of activity/pace, ranging from active to thoughtful. If you land in the top of the circle you tend to be fast-paced - often described as assertive, dynamic, and bold. If you appear in the bottom of the circle you tend to be more moderate paced - often described as calm, methodical and careful.
The Horizontal Dimension
The horizontal dimension runs from questioning to accepting. If you fall toward the left side of the circle you are naturally more sceptical in nature - often described as task/logic-focused, objective, and challenging. If your style is on the right side of the circle you are naturally more receptive in nature - often described as people-focused, empathising and agreeable.
The Four Quadrants
The D (Dominance) style is active and questioning and describespeople who are:
Direct
Forceful and outspoken with their opinions
The i (Influence) style is active and accepting and describes people who are:
Outgoing
Enthusiastic and lively
The S (Steadiness) style is thoughtful and accepting and describes people who are:
Gentle
Accommodating and patient with others’ mistakes
The C (Conscientiousness) style is thoughtful and questioning and describes people who are:
Analytical
Reserved, and precise
Although the DiSC dimensions form four distinct styles, it is probably more useful to see the DiSC circle in continuous terms, with the four styles blending into their neighbouring styles.
This means DiSC actually encompasses 12 unique DiSC styles.
For instance, people with a Di style are more likely than people with the D style to describe themselves as daring and convincing, and a person with an iD style is more likely than someone with the i style to describe himself as charismatic and dynamic. In both cases, these two styles (Di and iD) share something with the D and i styles, but they also have characteristics that differentiate them from the D and i individual styles.
The 12 DiSC Styles
The Health Warning
Sometimes there can be a tendency to pigeon hole people - for instance calling someone a “C” or a “D”, etc.
We don’t want to label people or put them in boxes – so instead we say “a person with a C style”.
For example, it is important to appreciate that it is likely that a person with the C style is quite capable of patiently listening to a co-worker describe their hurt feelings, even though this is more of an S quality.