Disc is a tool that helps you analyze behaviors and, in doing so, improve your relationships—both personal and professional. The method is based on the theories of Dr. William Marston.
DISC is an acronym for the following four behavioral types
- Dominance – How to Deal with Problems
- Influence – How to Deal with People
- Steadiness – how to handle and function in different situations
- Compliance – How to Manage and Operate in Different Contexts
Basic assumptions:
- There are four different so-called behavioral types; none is better or worse than the others
- How you handle problems depends on how you behave, react, and respond.
- Every style has its own strengths and weaknesses.
- Behavioral patterns associated with one of these styles often lead to conflicts with the other three, which means it is easier to get along with people who share the same style
- Behavioral patterns associated with one of the styles can complement those of the other three, which means it may be more beneficial to work with people who have different styles
- To build good working relationships, it is essential to understand and be able to adapt to the people you work with.
DISC describes behaviors—what you say and do, that is, the observable aspects of your life. It is not based on your personality, emotions, motives, values, knowledge, or experiences.
You can use DISC to:
- Communicate more effectively
- Develop teamwork skills and reduce the risk of conflicts
- Build high-performing teams
- Become a better leader
- Improve your sales and service skills
Very few people fit into just one behavioral type; most of us are a combination of several. The descriptions of each individual type on the following pages are based on someone who is almost exclusively a D, I, S, or C personality. The descriptions are also taken to extremes. In reality, our behavior is often somewhat more nuanced than what is presented below.