Forums

Hi all,

I just did my DISC profile and it gave me D-49%, I-9%,S-50% and C-80% (ps does this relate to 5-1-5-8 in the format people put in their sigs?)

Now I answered really as honestly as I could but while I agree on the D (as I am dominant as hell when I must be, but roll it back whenit's not needed) and the C part (formerly in a regulated technical role) i just don't understand the very low I.

Without going into depth, my job basically has me, without ANY organisational hierarchy or staffing, getting 300 or so people at my location, to behave as they should during certain events at the location.

I would suggest that most people didn't actually want to behave how I want them to (and get them to) with the enthusiasm and passion they show. So I'm pretty confident my I score should be higher.

I was told by an independant person the other week that they dont understand how I get people to do pretty much as I want them too without any actual authority over them.

The previous guy in my job couldn't do it, but I just seem to be able to. I'm not sure whether it's because I'm likeable (I don't think I am especially likeable-I'm certainly not a social butterfly or suchlike) or whether it's because I listen and sympathise and try to help people get a compromise while still achieving my goals - i.e. I give out small victories where necessary as long as they don't scupper my personal big victories (is this really influencing or just a glorified kind of dog-training?).

I figure this is what I is all about? So why the low score?

The test results for the 'internal' part (ie what I really think) were very similar to the 'external' (ie how I outwardly behave). I'm not sure the test questions enabled me to reflect the fact that the I is [b]very very[/b] different for me between what I naturally am, and how I behave because I know I NEED to enhance the I for my current role.

What I'm concerned about is do I ignore the I result? Or am I trying to fool myself here? I'm looking to move into a role with a number of directs and want to use my DISC profile to help me workwith them. I'd hate to mess things up because I don't believe my disc when it's true!

Fitch

bffranklin's picture
Training Badge

Fitch,

Are these results from the free online instrument? There was a thread a while back where those of us that took the paid instrument took the free online one and found it to put out data that was pretty close to garbage.

Fitch's picture

hi.

It was the discusonline test from axiom. I had to pay for it

i was unsure about taking an online test because i often feel multiple choice answers dont suit or i dont perhaps understand the intent of some phrases.

Do you have a link to the free test? I would like to try that as well.

Cheers.
Fitch

TomW's picture
Training Badge

Since you were given percentage scores, it's definitely a different DISC test than the rest of us are talking about. The DISC test we've used gives you scores from 1 to 7 in each of the 4 areas.

The one we are talking about is here:
http://www.manager-tools.com/purchase-the-disc-profile/

All the DISC tells you is what your natural communication style is. That fact that you only roll out the Dominant side when you need it means that you are not that high in D.

The low I just means that you are not the gregarious life of the party. It doesn't mean that you aren't able to influence people to do as you ask.

In fact, your high C, making you more likely to think through anything before you say it, could have a hand in helping you influence others.

In working with your directs, their profile is more important than yours anyway. If your direct is a high I, the actual behavior you exhibit around them will be the same, whether you are a high I or a high C. The only question is whether that's natural for you or not.

Fitch's picture

tom

thanks for the reply. I think i might do that disc as well then. The one i took gave me two different profiles as i said above so i kind of expected it to reflect the 'mask' i often wear at work.

I would actually agree with the profile that the test gave me on my actual 'real' styles. what i hope to use it for is to know my potential failings and then counteract to be more successful.

As i understand myself better i hope to be able to understand others to negotiaite/influence in a manner that is more easily received by them.

So given what i have said above is it worth me doing the mt test?

Fitch

Fitch's picture

tom

thanks for the reply. I think i might do that disc as well then. The one i took gave me two different profiles as i said above so i kind of expected it to reflect the 'mask' i often wear at work.

I would actually agree with the profile that the test gave me on my actual 'real' styles. what i hope to use it for is to know my potential failings and then counteract to be more successful.

As i understand myself better i hope to be able to understand others to negotiaite/influence in a manner that is more easily received by them.

So given what i have said above is it worth me doing the mt test?

Fitch

TomW's picture
Training Badge

[quote="Fitch"]So given what i have said above is it worth me doing the mt test?[/quote]

I wouldn't. Have you listened to the DISC podcasts to understand the different areas?

Let try a little test:
1) Are you more people-focused or task-focused?
2) Are you more introverted or extroverted?

HMac's picture

There it is folks -

TomW: "Shadetree mechanic" for DISC :lol:

Or maybe just "a simple country doctor" trying to help the townsfolk.

Hey Tom: it hurts when I do [i]**this**. [/i]What should I do?

-Hugh

TomW's picture
Training Badge

[quote="HMac"]Hey Tom: it hurts when I do [i]**this**. [/i]What should I do?[/quote]

Stop doing that.

Fitch's picture

tom

definately more task focused but realise people are the key to it so i think i manage to get the people to feel that i am task focused.

Definately introverted but i can turn on the ex trovert if the task demands it.,its uncomfortable to me but i can give a little of my soul now and then :)

wow i am starting to seem like an actor!

Fitch's picture

meant to say manage to get people to think i people focused.

TomW's picture
Training Badge

[quote="Fitch"]definately more task focused but realise people are the key to it so i think i manage to get the people to feel that i am task focused.

Definately introverted but i can turn on the extrovert if the task demands it.,its uncomfortable to me but i can give a little of my soul now and then :)[/quote]

We are talking about your natural tendencies, not what you can do what you need to.

Introverted and task focused = High C.

mtietel's picture
Training Badge

[quote="Fitch"]Definately introverted but i can turn on the ex trovert if the task demands it.,its uncomfortable to me but i can give a little of my soul now and then :)[/quote]

Fits with what you were saying before (i.e., "I'm certainly not a social butterfly or suchlike"). So a low I score seems to make sense. Remember that DISC shows what your *natural tendencies* are. It doesn't mean that you're incapable of or comfortable with exhibiting other behavior.

Doing what's effective rather than what's comfortable is good not bad! Well done!

Fitch's picture

I really appreciate the time you've taken to explain things there, thanks.

Now, sorry to go on and on...but....if someone wants to work with me, and I outwardly appear to be higher in I than I really am, and they play to the I profile (ie how to handle a high I) - does that mean they won't get the true response from me that they might expect?

ps is part of being a high C always getting it wrong when asked to make a 50/50 call?? :lol:

bflynn's picture

You should realize that your natural tendencies can be hidden if you have a "forced" persona at work. Or if you've been doing this a while, you start acting a certain way that isn't your natural tendency.

My natural is a high-S. However, I've been working long enough that I tend to act more high-D when I'm focused on getting things done. Therefore my DISC model comes out something like 6-1-5-2. Its unusual to have opposite (I/C or D/S) be so dominating and is a sign of a forced persona.

Why? I haven't found high S to be very good at getting things done...

Brian

mtietel's picture
Training Badge

[quote="Fitch"]ps is part of being a high C always getting it wrong when asked to make a 50/50 call?? :lol:[/quote]

Too early to tell. I need more data... ;-)

Fitch's picture

Couldn't resist....

I'm apparently a 'perfectionist' 3-1-6-7.

Which, yeah, I guess is right (ref my earlier comment about heads/tails!).

The output of the MT DISC seems to be a bit more constructive and the one-word multiple choice was a bit more logical to me than the phrases in the other test I did (high C behaviour there...I had to read the descriptors of each word before choosing ;)

thanks folks, this stuff is just so interesting!

Fitch

CFlow's picture

I took the MT DISC test (the one you pay for) with the results of:

7.1.1.6

("creative" classical profile)

Here's the thing, my role is half creative director, half marketing director. Basically my team and I come up with
advertising concepts and then design/develop them across web, print, trade shows, etc.

I'm uncomfortable patting myself on the back but its needed to ask my point... My ability to influence(mentally/emotionally) and design(visually) is the reason I am in the position I am in and is made evident by my successes at my current company.

As an example, recently at our companies National Sales Meeting, I has approached by a number of attendees that my opening (video) presentation had inspired them to the point of tears.

My question, explain my score? It's naturally assumed that high D's are not the type to do many of the things I routinely must do and love doing; brainstorming and debating points of strategy and company direction for hours on end.

When listening the podcast on high I's or high D's, can't remember which, Mark/Mike said that at the suggestion of having a brainstorming session the high D's in the room roll there eyes and groan loudly. While the high I's remain invigorated and eager to jump right in.

Why then do I have a 7 in D and a 1 in I ?