DiSC® How My Graph Became A Dot
The DiSC® personality profile model has been used for decades to help individuals better understand themselves and identify ways to work successfully with others.
The traditional way to represent the DiSC model was with the bar graph and know as the DiSC® Classic Profile.
The bar graph representation of DiSC® personality profile is only one way to discuss DiSC® and an individuals DiSC personality type. The earliest representation of DiSC® as described by W. Martson in his book, "Emotions of Normal People," was documented as a circle.
How Does the Circle Work?
The DiSC® profile circumplex model provides an intuitive way to show participants their DiSC personality profile location on the DiSC® model.
If we review the profile below you will see in this example; the participant demonstrates the characteristics of the I or Influence style. An individual with an I style tends to value relationships and enjoys working with others.
The DiSC personality profile model is a simplified tool to help individuals understand their DiSC assessment types. The circle (circumplex) model provides insight into a great deal of information.
DiSC® Dot Location
Within each of the four style - D, i, S, and C - there are three regions where a participants dot may be located, demonstrating twelve (12) different regions of the Everything DiSC® model. Some important factors to consider are:
- Everyone is a blend of all four DiSC personality type. When we understand our style, and the challenges we face, with practice, we can learn how to utilize all four DiSC assessment types depending on what the scenario requires.
- Most people tend strongly towards one or two styles. For example, an individual can demonstrate the style of and iD which indicates that the person values relationships and working with others, and at the same time they are focused on getting things done and moving the work forward.
A dot's distance from the edge of the circle shows how naturally inclined an individual is to encompass the characteristics of his or her DiSC® personality style. A person whose dot is located close to the edge of the circle shows a strong inclination for that DiSC profile type. An individual whose dot is situated between the edge and the center of the circle is moderately inclined to demonstrate that style. A person whose dot is located at the center of the circle demonstrates a slight inclination.
DiSC® Shading and Priorities
DiSC® profile map shading is also important in understanding an individual's DiSC® personality style. The eight words around the Everything DiSC® map are called priorities, or the primary area that individuals focus their energy and time.
- The closer an individuals shading comes to a priority, the more energy they tend to focus on that priority
- Everyone has at least three priorities, and some people have four or five
- The three words closest to the dot, are that individuals primary priorities
- Personalized shading (stripes) demonstrates whether an individual stretches to include two additional priorities
Adapted from: