For over 20 years, DiSC has been used as a personality assessment tool in the learning and development space, and millions of people worldwide have taken a disc certification. That assessment is most effective when used in conjunction with disc training so that team members understand what their assessment means…and how that understanding can help them communicate and collaborate.
It can be difficult to distinguish between assessment, training, and disc certification, especially since all three are frequently referred to as “DiSC.” In this article, we attempt to untangle not only what disc training is, but also how it can be used to help all of us better understand each other and improve our interactions.
What is Disc Certification?
Disc training is simply a set of tools designed to help team members learn and apply the language of DISC styles in positive, productive ways. Understanding the various disc styles, for example, can help team leaders lead groups or salespeople understand the best ways to present information to prospects.
The term “DiSC” refers to the DiSC assessment,
a personality assessment tool developed by John Wiley & Sons’ Everything DiSC brand. Millions of people in organizations around the world use this assessment and its accompanying tools to improve teamwork and communication. A disc certification course is intended to familiarize people with the disc assessment and the personality types (sometimes referred to as “styles”) revealed by it.
The four disc styles are known to most people who are already familiar with them: dominance (D), influence (I), steadiness (S), and conscientiousness (C) (C). Each communication style has a different preferred method of communication, a different reaction to change, and a different set of challenges when working with others.
We all use each of these styles as we go about our daily lives, so most people are a blend of all four, but typically one or two will stand out or be prominent. People are referred to by their most noticeable style, such as “High D,” “High I,” etc. Although there isn’t a “better” DiSC type than another, understanding which tends to be more pronounced in a person helps us determine where our “comfort zone” is when engaging with people.
Uses of Disc Certification
For the employees in your firm, a deeper understanding of DiSC personalities can be quite beneficial. Companies that utilize the disc certification claim it’s crucial for:
Increased self-awareness. If we are being completely honest, most of us just don’t know which of our behaviors are ideal for team performance and which are not—or we at the very least find it difficult to implement the proper ones. Most American workers believe that while a team works together, cooperation should “occur naturally.” By taking up a disc certification, teams start to understand that the correct recipe for success is a combination of behaviors, and people may start to understand what exactly they are adding to that combination.
Understanding each other. Let’s say you share an idea during a meeting. Everyone seems to agree that it’s an excellent idea—aside from that one person—and it’s a good one. Why are they fighting your proposal so fiercely? Some could believe the concept is too nebulous to be put into practice. Or perhaps they believe it to be based on false information. or that it deviates from the norm. A disc certification can help better comprehend the goals, anxieties, and “comfort zone” of your teammates and enhance team management skills.
Adapting communication style. A reduced likelihood of inciting a negative response and a higher chance of being heard exist when we modify the way we communicate with others. Finding consensus, for instance, might be more crucial for an I than for a C; a (D) will want to be informed of their “action items” as quickly as feasible; and so on. Understanding DiSC could help when conveying information to potential clients.
Resolving disputes. The four disc styles’ differing “needs” are frequently the root of conflict on teams. For instance, certain styles prioritize stability above action, whilst other styles have the opposite needs. The same is true about accuracy and action vs consensus. Managing conflict can be made simpler by being aware of disc personalities.
In addition to these, DiSC has two more niche applications: sales and leadership. Understanding our own DiSC type is the first step in becoming a successful salesperson or leader. Next, we must identify the style of the client or team member. Finally, we must modify our own style to suit their requirements.
Harnessing the Power of Our Differences
Every one of the DiSC personalities will inevitably be encountered in a group context, which is advantageous. Diverse approaches bring a variety of ideas, which foster creative and interesting teamwork. But the very same distinctions can also lead to argument, hostility, and discontent. By adopting the science behind disc assessment and training, we may all learn to value one other’s contributions rather than merely tolerate one another.
Get your teams to take up a disc certification and comprehend the DiSC system as a crucial first step in appreciating their variances.
