DISC assessment workshops teach participants how to identify and understand their own personality style. They also help them develop a better understanding of the personalities and communication styles of their colleagues, so they can work more effectively together in teams.
The DISC assessment was originally developed in the early 20th century by William Moulton Marston, Ph.D. While it has been modified slightly over the years, its core principles remain the same. It’s now available as a self-assessment online or in books, and can be used to provide insight into an individual’s personality traits. While most people have a blend of the four personality types, they usually favor one or two dominant traits. People who are High D, for example, focus on goals and results. Those who are high in I, on the other hand, tend to be more open and flexible. Those who are high in S prioritize relationships and cooperation. And those who are high in C, are dependable employees who focus on quality, accuracy, and expertise.
While a DISC assessment can provide valuable insights, it is only the first step in an effective training process. The system is intended to give team members a common language for discussing their differences and leveraging their strengths. Think of it like a superhero story: the hero may discover their super powers, but they still need proper training to master them and put them to use in a real-world environment.
A DISC assessment workshop can be performed by an outside consultant or business coach, through a corporate-wide training program, or as part of an internal team development process. Whether the workshop is conducted by an external provider or internally, it’s important to tailor the process to the needs of your audience. For example, consider the age group of your audience, their familiarity with DISC, and any previous experience they have had with personality assessments.
In the modern DISC context, workshops typically include discussion and reflection, as well as role-playing and other scenarios designed to help participants explore how they can improve their communication skills with other personality types. They also often feature an opportunity to create personal development plans based on the insights gained from their DISC profile and workshop experience.
Depending on the type of assessment your team uses, they will need to spend 10-15 minutes answering questions about their work and home life. Some assessments, such as Everything DiSC, will also ask a series of open-ended questions.
After each participant completes their assessment, they will receive a personalized report that details their behavioural styles and tendencies. This can be printed out and shared with the team or viewed digitally, and it’s a good idea to have an open discussion about the results.
If you are running a workshop on the new generation of DiSC profiles, such as Everything DiSC Classic or DiSC New Gen, it is a good idea to schedule automatic reminder emails in EPIC so that those who haven’t completed their report 1 week prior to the event would get a reminder. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and can get the most value out of the session.