History - William Marston 1928
The DISC theory was introduced in the book "Emotions of Normal People" in 1928. Written by psychologist William Moulton Marston, his ideas have been validated over and over again by many universities all over the world. It is still used today by many businesses to profile prospective employees for specific roles within their organizations.
Assessment
Marston's original questionnaires contained 24 questions, which has not altered much since. The questions will either make a statement or give adjectives to choose from and then ask you to select from four possible responses the one that is most like you and the one that is least like you. There are no wrong answers to the questionnaire since it is an inventory of your opinion about your responses to situations.
Profile
The results of the completed questionnaires are tabulated to determine a number for each of the four personality traits of dominance, influence, steadiness and complience. You can use the profile to learn more about how you interact with others and how others influence you. Higher and lower numbers are not indications of weakness or strength but rather an indication of your natural tendencies. Most DISC reports include a narrative description of the results that can provide insight in why you do things the way you do. Teams will often compare DISC profiles with each other so that members learn how best to interact with each other. Business has found that certain personality traits are needed to best perform particular functions. Daring leaders often have a high D rating while great team players often have a lower D rating. This could be significant when forming a team. A great team player might not be the best choice for leading the team.
Environment
The environment that the questions are asked in may make a difference in the outcome. Some people are more dominant in a work environment and less so at home. Others might be strong influencers at home and less so in external groups. Some modern DISC assessments try to identify the specific environment by stating the phrases in terms of work, leisure and home life.
Summary
The DISC assessment has been used for many years and provides a method to examine your personality and reveal traits that may be hidden from you. By sharing your DISC profile with others you can help them to better understand how to interact with you.