All DISC tests, including the MC360-DiSC assessments, are built upon the foundation of what William Moulton Marston identified as four primary emotions and associated behavioral responses.
We identify them today as D (dominance), I (influence), S (steadiness), and C (conscientiousness).
The DiSC® model looks at a continuum of pace (activity and energy level) and a continuum of skepticism or trust. Other DISC models tend to look at pacing and another behavioral dimension.
A quick overview of the basic DiSC styles:
- Dominance: direct, strong-willed, and forceful (fast-paced and skeptical)
- Influence: sociable, talkative, and lively (fast-paced and accepting)
- Steadiness: gentle, accommodating, and soft-hearted (moderate-paced and accepting)
- Conscientiousness: private, analytical, and logical (moderate-paced and skeptical)
Four DiSC types or 12 styles?
DiSC assessments allows for finer differentiation among styles than just four labels. So some styles will be D, i, S or C, but there are also styles such as Di or SC. When you complete an Everything DiSC questionnaire, you are scored on eight scales, not four. Your profile report reflects the style that is most descriptive of you.
A quick overview of the twelve Everything DiSC styles:
- D: forceful and direct
- Di: convincing and daring
- iD: animated and inspiring
- i: highly sociable and lively
- iS: upbeat and lighthearted
- Si: supportive and agreeable
- S: pleasantly calm and accommodating of others
- SC: modest and unassuming
- CS: quiet and self-controlled
- C: analytical and private
- CD: unsentimental and matter-of-fact
- DC: resolute and strong-willed
The MC360 – DISC profile provides even more nuance by showing how strongly you prefer your own style. This is reflected by how close your dot is to the edge or to the center. The closer your dot is to the center, the easier it is for you to adapt behaviors associated with other styles.
As you can probably tell, it takes more than reading these descriptors to know which style is yours. Learn more by reading one of these posts.