Appendix. How to Take the DISC
This appendix provides a free DISC assessment. In each row in the DISC Assessment, select the word that describes you most. Color in that shape under the M column with a pen/pencil. Of the remaining three words, pick the word that describes you least and color in that shape with a pen/pencil under the L column. Picture yourself in a work environment. Do not over analyze. You should select whichever word comes to mind as your gut reaction. It should take approximately 15–20 minutes to complete all 26 rows.
For example, in the first row of words, assume you believe that “daring” describes you most and “accurate” describes you least, you would color in the shapes as shown in Figure A.1.
Figure A.1 Example taking DISC Assessment
Please note that this instrument works only if your input is a reflection of who you are. That is, do not try and select who you “want” to be. Picture yourself at work and be honest with who you are. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers and no good or bad behavioral profiles. The best teams contain a blend of all profiles. So begin filling in your assessment (see Figure A.2).
Next, add up the colored-in shapes in the four M columns and place the totals in Figure A.3. (The total of all the numbers should equal 26.)
Figure A.3 Template to enter Most values
Now add up the colored-in shapes in the four L columns and place the totals in Figure A.4. (The total of all the numbers should equal 26.)
Figure A.4 Template to enter Least values
Now you are ready to plot your data. Plot the shapes, using the template in Figure A.7, by coloring in the graph up to the number of each shape. For example, if the number of Ds in the Most columns add up to 15, take your pencil or highlighter and color in the squares from the bottom to top until you reach the number 15. Not all numbers are listed in the graph, so color to the closest number (or between the two numbers that are closest to yours). Do this for both the Most and Least graphs. For example, assume your values are as shown in Figure A.5.
Figure A.5 Example of DISC results adding up values
These values would result in the graphs shown in Figure A.6 for the Adapted (Most) and Natural (Least) behaviors. An individual’s dominant behaviors are depicted by the elements above the bolded midline. In these graphs, the individual’s behavioral profile would be a DI.
Figure A.6 Example of DISC plotting results
The template in Figure A.7 should be used to plot your results.
Figure A.7 DISC plotting template
Note that the preceding exercise yields a simple DISC graph for you to depict your dominant behavioral profile. See Chapter 2, “Behavior and Individuals,” for details describing the DISC behavioral profiles, and see Chapter 6, “Behavior and Teams,” for an explanation of adaptive and natural behaviors. We advise that you take a full DISC assessment from a provider that analyzes and provides additional information using all behavioral elements and not one that simply provides a DISC graph. In addition to the graphs, the results should include detailed text describing numerous characteristics of the individual, how best to communicate or not to communicate with the individual, and a “wheel” (as described in Chapter 6). You can find many DISC providers by simply searching in your favorite browser.