By Terri Mitchell
At well over six billion people on the planet, there are only four people that you need to know. Once you know them, you can master any relationship with any person you meet.
The four people are not specific individuals. They are personality types identified in the 1930s, - by Dr William Marston. Marston crafted the Lie Detector Test used in 20th century policing methods. He also created Wonder Woman, the first female superhero comic book character.
Marston's DISC system examines 'normal, observable' behaviour. Comparatively, his peers Freud and Jung were evaluating abnormal behaviour through their psychoanalyses.
DISC Personality Profiling refers to the four observable behaviour styles: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance. Each style is characterised by traits, actions, words and mannerisms. Generally, all people are blends of these four styles. However, we are mostly one dominant style, with a secondary reactive style.
Dominant personalities are strong willed, impatient, often very demanding, and disinterested in details. They are results-oriented, taking command of situations and people. They'll greet you with a dominant handshake, direct eye contact and task-focused conversation about their achievements.
Influencers have shortened attention, speaking in big-picture ideals - details don't interest them. They're recognised by animated body language and even displays of affection. Influencers can be vivacious and distracting, as they love to talk, often about themselves. Adorned in bright colours, coiffed and bejeweled, they are people focused.
Steadiness types are reserved, loyal and protective. They knuckle down to their jobs unhesitatingly, don't like rocked boats and thrive on predictability. While generally not organised, steady types focus on relationships and put people at ease. They tend toward family and community activities, valuing trust and privacy.
Compliance personalities abide by rules, regulations, and 'going by the book'. They are task focused and very detail oriented. Facts, figures, calculations, and being right are their thing. Not strong in people relating, they are thorough, structured, and organised with effective memory. At work they simply prefer to get on with the job.
James Rendell, national marketing manager of Tonnex International, Melbourne says, "We use DISC profiling to better understand the natural and adapted traits of our employees.” James says the DISC profiling system is very accurate "…and has been a very valuable tool to our business."
Another organisation using DISC profiling is The Christopher Howard Companies. CEO Chris Howard attended an educational personal development seminar where all participants completed a DISC profile. Howard saw potential in the DISC system within his own organisation.
"DISC Analysis is a valuable tool used during our Performance Revolution™ Program. Combining our interpretation of DISC analysis with the Christopher Howard Results Technologies™ tools… allows us to offer our students new insight into their own internal drives and external results in the real world," says Christopher Howard Training, Head of Research and Training Duane Alley.
We sum people up in the instance we meet them. By referring to the powerful DISC observation model, we can recognise the needs of these four personality types and form lasting bonds with every person based on understanding.
Terri is a B2B freelance copywriter. She has written for a global client base since 2006, and has traveled to the US to work with a DISC Profiling expert. She can be contacted via her website www.responsecopywriting.com.
