One of the greatest things about the DISC model is that it is completely nonjudgmental.
It does not differentiate between the DISC profiles as being better or worse. The DISC styles are just different. The descriptors used to identify the different DISC styles are simply words. For example, D-styles are described as “independent”, I-styles as “talkative”, S-styles as “patient” and C-styles as “analytical”. All of these words are just one of many that can be used to identify the different DISC-styles. However, they are all just adjectives that are not somehow better or worse.
You may hear some people refer to the DISC assessment as the “DISC test”. However, I recommend you do not use the term “DISC test”.
Why you may ask? When most people think about “test”, they associate it with a set of questions, problems, or the like, that are used to evaluate abilities, aptitudes, skills, or performance. Tests usually provide a score that ranks performance or somehow identifies how well one can accomplish something. DISC profiles do none of these. It is not a DISC test. On a DISC self-assessment you do not pass or fail.
When respondents are asked to take a “DISC test”, they may not be in the best state of mind to complete a DISC assessment. They could perceive there are right and wrong answers. As a result, they start to feel pressure and ponder what the “right” answers could be instead of answering based on their natural, gut reactions. Basically, this interferes with the DISC questionnaire process.
Instead of “DISC test”, here are just a few suggestions:
- DISC questionnaire
- DISC inventory
- DISC assessment
- DISC survey
- DISC profile
Using one of these will ensure a better user experience by removing any perceived, unnecessary pressure.
Finally, remember to ask the respondents to complete the questionnaire without interruption and in their native language. It is critical they do so in order to achieve valid results. The Extended DISC Assessment has over 70 languages available.
