Understanding people can be challenging.

I know from experience. I’ve worked in the service industry. I was a waiter in 4 and 5-star restaurants. I’ve built sales teams. AND as a success and addiction coach, I’ve mentored over 12,000 clients 1-on-1.

To better understand people, I’m going to introduce you to a new tool. It’s called the DISC Profile. It aligns with my audio training called, The Animal Factor: Personalities For Success. The DISC profile breaks the personality characteristics into 4 main types.

So, what can the DISC test do for you?

The DISC profile can assist you to better understand yourself. It can also show you how to adapt your behaviors with people of other personality styles. If you don’t know why you do what you do, it will be challenging to communicate and make positive changes.

Many of you are building a team. You are going to meet different personalities along the way. Some people are bold and outspoken, while others take their time. They analyze situations. One person may be the life of the party. Another person is quietly sitting in the corner.

Now… before we dive into the DISC personality profile, let me give you some background. The DISC Personality Test is based on psychologist William Moulton Marston’s DISC theory. The DISC Personality Test uses four basic personality traits of human behavior. Dr. Marston conducted research in the 1920’s. Today it brings great insight into human behavior and DISC Personality Types. There are many versions of the DISC Personality Test. Some of the advanced versions use adaptive testing. Adaptive testing is when the testing responds to the test taker. The questions presented are adapted according to how previous questions were answered.

So… to understand the characteristics of the of each personality type… let’s dive into the DISC profile.

Your DISC Profile

Here’s how it works. When you take a DISC assessment, you’ll complete questions. These questions produce a detailed report about your personality and behavior. You’ll also receive insight related to working with people of other styles.

The DISC model can assist you and your team to:

• Understand how you respond to conflict
• Understand what motivates you
• Understand what causes you anxiety
• Understand how you solve problems
• Improve team communication
• Increase productive conflict resolution
• Develop stronger sales skills
• Become a better leader

What Does DISC Stand For?

The DISC Assessment measures four areas of your behavioral style. It defines your preferences for:

Decisiveness — your preference for problem-solving and getting results.

Interactiveness — your preference for interacting with others and showing emotion.

Stability — your preference for pacing, persistence, and steadiness.

Cautiousness — your preference for procedures, standards, and protocols.

Let’s dive into the 4 dimensions of the DISC personality assessment.

DISC Personality Type: Decisiveness

Decisiveness is how you approach problems and make decisions. If you are a D style, you will be motivated by winning, competition, and success. You enjoy accepting challenges, taking action, and achieving immediate results. You will tend to be direct, demanding, and strong-willed. You are driven and determined.

At times, you may be limited by lack of concern for others. You tend to be impatient. You may be a skeptic. You may fear vulnerability or being taken advantage of. You value action and results.

If you are a D personality, you’ll require developing patience. You’ll have to learn to be more sensitive to others. You’ll have to focus more on details and allow others time for careful thought.

If you are communicating with the D individual, give them the bottom line. Be brief and be focused with your discussion. Avoid making generalizations. And avoid repeating yourself. Focus on solutions rather than problems.

DISC Personality Type: Interactiveness

Interactiveness focuses on persuading others. If you are an I style, you will tend to be magnetic. You’ll be warm. You’re trusting and optimistic. You’re motivated by social recognition. You like group activities. You may be impulsive. Organization can be a challenge for you. Following through on commitments is also an area of concern.

In relationships, you may fear disapproval. You value freedom of expression. You favor democratic relationships. Friendships and popularity are important to you. Staying focused for long periods of time can be a challenge.

When you communicate with an I personality, keep this in mind… Allow the I personality time to ask questions. Let them express themselves. Focus on the positives.

AND avoid overloading them with details.

DISC Personality Type: Stability

Stability is where you place importance on persistence. You value sincerity and dependability. You like steadiness. If you are an S personality, you are motivated by cooperation. You like assisting others and giving support. You tend to be calm, patient, and predictable. You are stable and consistent. You value loyalty and security. You value personal accomplishments. You seek group acceptance.

You have a tendency to fear change. You fear offending others. You can be overly accommodating. You can be indecisive. Confrontation is a skill to develop.

When communicating with an S personality, be personal and friendly. Express true interest in them. Be clear about your expectations from them. Take time to give clarification. Avoid being confrontational when possible. This personality will avoid aggressive people.

DISC Personality Type: Cautiousness

Cautiousness is where you value quality and accuracy. You value procedures and systems. If you are a C personality, you like to learn and show your expertise. You value quality work. Accuracy is important. You tend to be careful and cautious. You stray away from criticism and being wrong.

It may be challenging for you to assign tasks to others because you would have to release control. Compromising can be a stretch for you. Quick decisions can be stressful. You analyze to make the RIGHT decision.

When communicating with a C personality, focus on facts, figures, and details. Avoid emotional language. Harness your ability to be patient. It’s also critical that you are diplomatic when communicating with this person.

Your Personal Reality

For many people, the greatest mystery is understanding their own personality. They waltz through life looking for their identity. They attempt to understand their actions and reactions. The DISC test can be the key to unlocking the mystery.

The journey to success is easier when you understand who you are, who other people are, and why they do what they do. Valuing the different types of personalities will create a shift. You will have a better understanding of how to connect. You’ll understand how to collaborate.

Keep in mind…There is no right or wrong answer on this test. One personality is not better than another. The DISC is a nonjudgmental tool.

Are you ready to take the DISC assessment? To receive your free DISC profile, take the DISC test HERE.