DISC Profiles vs. 16 Personalities: Unraveling the Layers of Self-Understanding
In the vast world of personality assessments, two systems have garnered significant attention for their insights into human behaviour and personality traits: The DISC profiles and the 16 Personalities test, inspired by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
As a small business owner, entrepreneur, or simply someone interested in personal development, you may wonder which tool is right for you.
In this article, we’ll dissect both and help you understand their unique offerings.
Table of Contents
DISC Profiles: The Business-Friendly Quadrants
DISC stands for Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. This assessment focuses on understanding an individual’s behaviour in various situations, specifically in a work setting.
- Dominance: People who score high in this trait tend to be assertive, competitive, and result-oriented. Think of Elon Musk and his relentless drive.
- Influence: High scorers are often enthusiastic, persuasive, and collaborative. Oprah Winfrey, with her incredible ability to connect and influence, fits this trait.
- Steadiness: Those high in Steadiness value consistency, patience, and loyalty. Think of the steadiness of Warren Buffett in his long-term investment strategies.
- Conscientiousness: Detail-oriented, analytical, and deep thinkers. Mark Zuckerberg’s focus on data-driven decisions at Facebook exemplifies this trait.
16 Personalities: A Deeper Dive into the Psyche
The 16 Personalities test is rooted in the MBTI, which identifies preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. These are based on four dichotomies: Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving.
For example:
- ENTJ (The Commander): Assertive leaders with a knack for strategic planning. Think of Steve Jobs and his visionary leadership at Apple.
- ISFP (The Adventurer): Artistic, curious, and hands-on. Bob Dylan, with his soulful songs and exploratory spirit, is an ISFP.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
- Purpose: If you’re specifically looking to understand work behaviours, team dynamics, or leadership styles, DISC might be the better fit. It’s streamlined for business environments. Conversely, if you want a broader understanding of personality, including aspects related to personal life, relationships, and more, the 16 Personalities provide a comprehensive view.
- Complexity: DISC is simpler, focusing on four main traits. The 16 Personalities, while offering in-depth insights, require understanding 16 complex types.
- Application: For team-building exercises, many businesses lean towards DISC due to its business-centric approach. However, for personal development workshops or relationship counselling, the 16 Personalities can offer a broader perspective.
- Flexibility: DISC tends to be more fluid, suggesting that people can adapt and change their behaviours based on situations. The 16 Personalities see personality types as more static over a lifetime.
In Conclusion
Both DISC and the 16 Personalities offer valuable insights, but they serve slightly different purposes. Your choice should depend on your specific needs, be it business-focused strategies or broader personal insights.
In the ever-evolving quest for understanding the human psyche, these tools offer valuable roadmaps. Dive in, explore, and let the revelations guide your personal and professional journeys.
Ready to unravel the mysteries of your personality and leverage it for personal and professional growth? Talk to an experienced business coach and mentor today to discover how to make the best use of personality profiles in your business.
