How DiSC is Different than Other Assessments

You might have heard of the DiSC behavioral assessment, or even taken it. But you also probably heard about other workplace assessments like Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Enneagram, or CliftonStrengths. These tools are all great in discovering more about yourself and learning how to work with your co-workers a little more harmoniously. I really appreciate the DiSC model because it’s super easy to remember and the concepts are easy to apply. But there is a list of other really clear benefits toward using this model that I wanted to share as a Wiley Everything DiSC partner, even if you have already gotten the results from your other assessments.

1. Behavioral Focus Over Personality Typing

• DiSC centers on observable behaviors rather than deeper, often more abstract, personality traits. Unlike the MBTI or Enneagram, which delve into inner motivations and psychological tendencies, DiSC focuses on how people respond to different environments and tasks. DiSC is especially actionable in a workplace setting, where team members benefit from knowing how each person prefers to communicate, approach tasks, and handle conflict.

  
  

2. Ease of Application in Real-World Scenarios

• One of DiSC’s strengths is its simplicity and ease of use. With only four main behavioral styles (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Conscientiousness), DiSC is accessible and easy for teams to remember and apply in day-to-day situations. In contrast, assessments like MBTI or Enneagram have more complex type structures that may require additional interpretation, making them slightly less straightforward for quick, practical application in a collaborative environment. And let’s face it, it’s hard to remember all the nuances and how to apply them.

  
  

3. Focus on Communication and Interpersonal Dynamics

• Communication is the foundation for all relationships, including workplace ones. DiSC really excels at helping individuals understand and improve their communication styles with others. If I only had been exposed to DiSC assessments earlier in life, my communication techniques would have drastically improved with former colleagues and managers. Each DiSC type correlates directly to specific communication and work preferences, like decision-making, teamwork, and conflict resolution styles. CliftonStrengths, MBTI, and Enneagram do offer insights into personal strengths and preferences, but DiSC’s framework emphasizes interpersonal dynamics, helping teams understand and appreciate differences in communication and problem-solving directly.

  
  

4. Adaptability to Changing Work Environments

• DiSC training is particularly useful in dynamic work settings where roles and interactions with new or other team members might occur more frequently. Since DiSC’s framework focuses on behavior rather than fixed personality traits, it allows individuals to adapt and adjust their behavior to work more effectively with colleagues. For instance, someone with a “D” style (Dominance) may adapt their approach to support a colleague with an “S” style (Steadiness) in a way that creates a harmonious balance of drive and patience, which can be harder to align directly with MBTI or Enneagram insights.

  
  

5. Actionable Insights for Team-Building and Collaboration

• DiSC assessments provide direct, actionable advice for working with different types, making it especially practical in team-building exercises, leadership development, and conflict resolution. Unlike CliftonStrengths, which focuses on individual strengths without as much emphasis on interaction styles, DiSC breaks down how each type can support and balance one another in a collaborative setting. This makes it ideal for training sessions aimed at improving teamwork, setting expectations, and increasing productivity through interpersonal alignment.

  
  

DiSC empowers individuals and teams to not only understand each other but also act on that understanding, making it a standout choice for professional settings where effective teamwork and adaptability are key. Remember that not one type in DiSC is better than any other, and we’re all a little bit of each type (especially at different points in our lives). Using DiSC to understand your team members, and yourself, a little more can help you create a more positive workplace culture.

Get started today to learn more about DiSC and how BPC can create a customized DiSC training for your organization so you can have a more harmonious and positive workplace culture.

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