Recently I posted about a clever use of ChatGPT whereby an enterprising individual had created a custom GPT that used his colleague’s DISC profiles to help him engage more effectively with his team-mates. I then got asked the question; can you explain DISC to me?

So in this post, we'll explore what DISC profiles are and how understanding different personality types can benefit your team.

What are DISC Profiles?

DISC is a simple, yet effective, behavioural assessment tool. You may have heard of Myers-Briggs or CliftonStrengths? DISC falls into a similar category but is popular in professional spaces because the focus is on behaviours that are important in the workplace. It categorises individuals into four primary personality types based on their behaviour in certain situations:

• D - Dominance: People who are direct, decisive, and results-oriented. They enjoy challenges and are not afraid to take risks. They tend to place an emphasis on accomplishing bottom-line results.

• I - Influence: These individuals are social, enthusiastic, and good communicators. They thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy being the centre of attention. They tend to be more open and place an emphasis on relationships and influencing or persuading others.

• S - Steadiness: Steady and reliable, these people are patient, calm, and good listeners. They value teamwork and harmony. They tend to be dependable and place an emphasis on cooperation and sincerity.

• C - Conscientiousness: Detail-oriented and analytical, these individuals are systematic and enjoy working with data and facts. They tend to place an emphasis on quality, accuracy, expertise, and competency.

The Benefits of Team Profiling

1. Improved Communication: Understanding DISC profiles can help team members communicate more effectively. When you know someone's personality type, you can tailor your communication style to match their preferences. For example, a Dominance type appreciates direct and concise communication, while a Steadiness type prefers a more considerate and patient approach.

2. Enhanced Team Collaboration: Teams made up of diverse DISC profiles can be more innovative and effective. Each personality type brings unique strengths to the table. By recognising and leveraging these differences, you can create a balanced team where members complement each other's skills and work more harmoniously.

3. Conflict Resolution: Conflicts are inevitable in any team. However, understanding DISC profiles can help you address and resolve conflicts more constructively. When team members understand their own and others' personality types, they can better appreciate different perspectives and find common ground more easily.

4. Personal and Professional Growth: DISC profiling encourages self-awareness and personal development. Team members who understand their own strengths and weaknesses can work on improving their behaviour and interactions with others. This leads to a more positive work environment and higher overall performance.

5. Better Leadership: As a leader, knowing your team's DISC profiles allows you to lead more effectively. You can coordinate work aligning with each member's strengths, provide more targeted feedback, and foster a supportive atmosphere that motivates everyone to excel.

How to Implement DISC Profiling?

1. Assessment: Start by having your team take a DISC assessment. There are many online tools available that can provide detailed profiles for each team member. I’ve used CyrstalKnows which I’d happily recommend.

2. Training: Provide training sessions to help your team understand the DISC model and how to use it. This can be done through workshops, webinars, or even team-building activities.

3. Integration: Encourage your team to apply their DISC knowledge in daily interactions. This could be through regular check-ins, team meetings, or project collaborations. Even better, build a custom GPT that allows for simple and easier access ongoing!

4. Review and Adjust: Regularly review the effectiveness of DISC profiling in your team. Gather feedback and make adjustments as needed to ensure the tool continues to benefit your team.

In the services industry, we work in the business of working with people. So for me, anything that helps us better understand our colleagues is well worth investigating.

In my experience, DISC profiling is well worth the investment. By understanding and utilising DISC profiles, you can create a more cohesive, productive, and harmonious team. And who doesn’t want to work in a team like that?

Perhaps just as importantly, which clients will complain about working with a team like that?

TL;DR Summary

Improved Communication: Understanding DISC profiles helps tailor communication styles to individual preferences, enhancing clarity and reducing misunderstandings.

Enhanced Team Collaboration: Leveraging the unique strengths of diverse personality types leads to a more balanced, innovative, and effective team.

Better Conflict Resolution and Leadership: DISC profiling fosters self-awareness, better conflict management, and more effective leadership, contributing to a positive and productive work environment.