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What is DISC profiling and how can it be used in the workplace?

Updated: Feb 24, 2021

So what is a DISC profile? It is an assessment that centres around four different personality types: Dominant, Inspiring, Supportive and Cautious. You complete a series of questions that produces a detailed report about your personality and behaviour and highlights which one of these four area’s you are most like. It is called an assessment rather than a test, due to ‘test’ insinuating that there are right and wrong answers.

I completed my own DISC assessment on the 5th June 2019, as part of a team-building day at work – Kiki Kirby Coaching + Consultancy. I initially assumed that the test would be very long however, it only took me around 10 minutes to complete and was very straight forward. You had to identify what you were ‘most like’ and ‘least like’ from a set of statements. Admittedly on one or two of the questions, I did find it hard to pick which one I was most/least like as I didn’t feel as if it truly described me as a person – however, looking back I don’t know if I was being too critical!

Precisionist… My personality type! A cautious, yet supportive individual. I was shocked to find this result, due to the team and I predicting something entirely different. However, the report highlighted my general characteristics as careful, methodical, loyal, disciplined and practical – which I would genuinely agree with.

Another page in the report highlighted my areas of strength in terms of Leadership. I had directing at ‘above average’, highlighted for the fact that I produce high-quality work and set tight deadlines. My processing skills were ‘well developed’ due to my attention to detail, being loyal and very hands-on. Finally, detailing was ‘highly effective’ due to my value for precision and accuracy and working to a high standard.

So how can DISC profiling be used in the workplace? In most cases having a DISC profile can allow employees to better understand each other as you receive tips in your report which explain how to work best, with people of other styles. How? DISC profiling increases your self-knowledge by highlighting your motivators and stressors. It also improves working relationships, teaches you how to have productive conflict within the workplace and how to manage a team more effectively.

For example, Two C’s work together well as they both want to make informed decisions similarly, C and I work together well as their strengths complement each other. C and D can also work together well as C provides the detail that D needs, yet they must remember to focus on an end result and not get caught up in the business.

1.      Tailor your communication

Finding out your DISC personality type can open your eyes to how you like to be communicated with and what style of communication is going to produce the best results, whilst also being the most effective. I know you’re thinking that sounds great. That’s because it is! If your DISC report highlights ‘Direct and Succinct’ communication as your preferred style yet your boss, client or colleague is being very indirect and missing out key details, then you just need to reiterate to people that it’s not personal to them, but it will allow you to respond in the best way.

2.      Improve your own & your teams’ productivity/efficiency

The better you know yourself and your team and how you best work together will mean that there is less time spent on workplace conflicts and more time spent on being efficient and productive. The report highlights how you respond to pressure, how you see yourself and how you act around other people – all of which are contributing factors when working alone or as part of a team.

One thing is for certain – your people are at the heart of whatever it is that you do and you need to make sure that they are valued and working in an environment which they respond well to. I feel very grateful for previous experiences however, at KKC I am a valued member of the team and it makes such a big difference. 

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Book your psychometric assessment now: https://www.kikikirbycoaching.co.uk/product/disc-personality-profile-with-kiki Or contact me via email at: lucy@kikikirby.co.uk

Written by: Lucy Ford – Consultancy Assistant @ Kiki Kirby Coaching + Consultancy Email: lucy@kikikirby.co.uk

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