The DiSC® Model
People Reading Technique
Everything DiSC® it’s a way to see ourselves and others more clearly. It’s not about labeling, but about understanding.
The DiSC® Model of Human Behavior is based on 2 foundational observations about how people normally behave:
Observation #1: Some people are more Active or Fast-paced, while others are more Thoughtful or Cautions & Reflective.
You can think of this trait as each person’s “internal motor” or “pace.” Some people always seem ready to “go” and “dive in” quickly. They engage their motor quickly. Others tend to engage their motor more slowly or more cautiously.
Observation #2: Some people are more Questioning & Skeptical, while others are more Accepting & Warm
You can think of this as each person’s “external focus” or “priority” that guides them. Some people are logic focused, challenging and focused on getting things done (tasks); others are more tuned-in to the people around them and their feelings.
With both observations, we want to emphasize that these behavioral tendencies are neither right or wrong or good or bad.
They are just different. We are simply identifying normal behavior styles. People have different styles, and that is okay.
Four Major Personality Traits / Tendencies
Everyone has some of all four of these tendencies at different times and in different situations. However, most people typically have one or two of these tendencies that seem to fit them well in their everyday behavior. And, on the other hand, one or two of these tendencies usually do not fit them well, and these tendencies may even seem “foreign” to their approach to life. The balance of these four tendencies shapes the way each person “sees” life and those around them.
By combining the 2 previous diagrams, we can show 4 basic quadrants of the circle as shown below:
- Active and Task-oriented (upper left quadrant)
- Active and People-oriented (upper right quadrant)
- Accepting and People-oriented (lower right quadrant)
- Cautious and Task-oriented (lower left quadrant)
Here’s one reason I love DiSC®: you can put it to work immediately.
Consider an individual whom you’re having a bit of difficulty connecting with, and you call this a “personality conflict.”
Ask yourself these two questions:
1. Is the person more fast-paced and outspoken? Or, are they more cautious and reflective?
2. Then ask, is this person more questioning & skeptical? Or, are they more accepting & warm?
- The first question puts them more “top” or “bottom” on the above chart — fast-paced & outspoken equals “top” and cautious & reflective equals “bottom.”
- The second question puts them either “right” or “left” — questioning is “left” and accepting is “right.”
3. Now, combine this person’s tendencies to determine his or her DiSC style.
