Introduction to the DISCStyles Assessment Congratulations on your decision to use the DISCStyles Assessment. Completing the DISCStyles Assessment could be one of the most important relationship-building decisions you will ever make. Many of us grew up firmly believing the wisdom of treating others the way you would like to be treated— the Golden Rule. We soon realized that another practical rule to live by seemed to be what we call The Platinum Rule™—"Treat others the way they want to be treated,” Think about your interactions every day. Have you succeeded spectacularly with one person, only to hopelessly “bomb out” with another the next moment? We all have at one time or another and probably try to shrug it off thinking “That's just the way it is.” However, things do not have to be that way. Nearly every contact with every person in all areas of your life can be a success—if you know how to make it happen. With the DISCStyles Assessment, you have the tools to be successful. Your assessment will not only help you become a better you, it will help you behave more maturely and productively by teaching you how to focus on your goals instead of your fears. Then you can develop and use more of your natural strengths, while recognizing, improving upon, and modifying your limitations. This assessment does not deal with values or judgments. Instead, it concentrates on your natural tendencies that influence your behavior. Behavioral Profiles Historical as well as contemporary research reveals more than a dozen various models of our behavioral differences, but many share one common thread: the grouping of behavior into four basic categories. The DISCStyles Assessment focuses on patterns of external, observable behaviors using scales of directness and openness that each profile exhibits (see below). Because we can see and hear these external behaviors, it becomes much easier to “read” people. This model is simple, practical, and easy to remember and use. Profile Tendencies Dominant Tends to be direct and guarded Interactive Tends to be direct and open Steady Tends to be indirect and open Conscientious Tends to be indirect and guarded How to Use This Assessment Begin today. First, complete the assessment. If you are using DISCStyles in a group, wait for directions to begin from your facilitator. If you are self-administering DISCStyles, read the directions carefully before beginning. Once you have completed the assessment, you will be ready to begin understanding your profile characteristics in many environments—at work, socially, under stress, etc.—and review strategies for increasing your personal effectiveness. Please note that there is no “best” profile. Each profile has its unique strengths and opportunities for continuing improvement and growth. Any behavioral descriptions ‘mentioned in this assessment are only tendencies for your profile group and may or may not specifically apply to you personally~*~ Introduction to the DISCStyles Assessment (concluded) |. We recommend th Part Il offers action plans for you and others who interact with you. re the you action plans with others to greatly enhance each of those relationships. 'e these ‘Adaptability In addition to understanding your behavioral profile, the assessment will identify ways that your profile strengths or modify your profile weaknesses in order to meet the needs of a or relationship. This is called adaptability. Through your successful and less successful ir others, and your values, you may have already learned to modify and adapt some of your behaviova profile preferences. Social scientists call it “social intelligence.” You can ap, Particular situat interactions with There has been a lot writen lately on how your social intelligence is just as important as your inteligence Quotient (IQ) in being successful in today’s world. In some cases, social intelligence is even more important than IQ. It makes sense when you think about it. Often, when we do what comes naturall without realizing it because that same behavior may not be natural for them. It is essential that we become aware of our natural tendencies—and their natural preferences! Then we can defuse extreme behaviors before we sabotage ourselves. We do this by quickly identifying the individual needs of others based on the behavioral signals they will send to us, and then adapting our own behavior to make them feel comfortable. Your ideas do not change, but you can change the way you present those ideas. Moreover, the best part is people will teach you how to treat them if you know how to read the signals their behavioral Profiles send you. ly to us, we alienate others Adaptability is the key to building all successful relationships. Adaptable people realize there is a difference between their self (who they are) and their behavior (how they choose to act). They consciously decide whether and how to respond to a person, a situation, or an event. You can commit to learn to be more adaptable. When you understand each of the four profiles, how to recognize them in others, and how to adapt to them in key ways, you can have command of almost any interpersonal situation.DISCStyles Assessment—Instructions The DISCStyles Assessment is based on current 21" Century research and data. It provides you with the latest information on behavioral style preferences. These preferences are flexible and change over time. These preferences also change as our job responsibilities change, and even moment by moment as various demands are placed on our talent and expertise. ‘On the Answer Sheet, you'll find 24 groups of words describing preferences. For each group of four words, choose the ONE word that MOST describes your preferences ON THE JOB and place an “X" in the box in the "Most" column. Then, out of the remaining three words, choose the ONE word that LEAST describes your preferences ON THE JOB and place an “X” in the box in the “Least” column. Make sure you make two choices, “Most” and “Least,” for each of the 24 groups of words. If you are using DISCStyles in a group, wait for directions to begin from your facilitator. If you are self- administering DISCStyles, go to your Answer Sheet and proceed with the assessment. Coaching note: The more clearly you maintain a focus on a specific aspect of your behavioral preferences, the more specific your results will be. That is, if you are in sales, then on the Focus line, write “Sales,” or for other roles such as "Management" or "Support,” please indicate a descriptor of your role or title. Then, during the assessment if you are in a quandary about choices, please refer to your focus and respond accordingly.