Over the years, as I have worked with many different personality types, I have realized the value of recognizing how to identify and work with people using principles that I have learned through profiles such as DISC, Discover Your Strengths, and the like. So I was excited to review Taking Flight!: Master the DISC Styles to Transform Your Career, Your Relationships…Your Life
Part I: Taking Flight! The Fable is a sort of hokey parable about forest animals. Part of me was like, “get on with it already!” But it does illustrate really well how different personality styles approach problems and work together.
Part II: The DISC Model is an introduction to the four styles and the 12 DISC principles. I’m familiar with the DISC styles, so there wasn’t anything really new here, but it was a nice review of what the styles are and how to use the styles to get along better with others. It is also a good introduction if you don’t have any prior knowledge of the DISC styles.
Part III: Applying the DISC Styles in Your Life gives a nice, concise description and some practical examples. It also gives you the web address where you can take a very simplified version of the DISC test. The book finishes with some worksheets and tips for making use of the styles in you own life. I like that this section is short, sweet and to the point. Much different than the parable section! Chapters in this part include:
- Steps for reaching your highest potential
- DISC for selecting an educational and career path
- DISC in the work environment
- Tapping the power of style in themes
- DISC for teaching and coaching
- Educating with DISC
- Better parenting with DISC
- DISC action planning
- DISC mapping
Overall, this is a great book for taking the DISC information and answering the question, “That’s nice, now what?” I recommend it for small business owners who want to learn how to better relate to their staff, anyone who works in a corporate environment, and coaches/facilitators.
Do you use DISC or other personality profiles? In what way have you found them to be helpful? (Or not)
I’ve not heard of the DISC system before so it was interesting to read this article.
I had not heard of DISC. It sounds interesting. I will check it out,
I tend to not use personality profiles, but as a model it might not be a bad idea for larger groups, and especially offices.
Thanks for the tip. I am a DISC trainer. I led a training of CRWM staff in Burlington, Ontario just a couple of weeks ago. I think the best use of DISC is in getting groups to maximize effectiveness by understanding self and understanding others so that we can make adjustments for effective working relationships, rather than expecting others to adjust to us. When that is everyone’s goal, it is amazing how well people get along and how much more effectively they work together. DISC principles are similar, in that way, to emotional intelligence principles.
I like the MMPI also. I recently tried the enneagram, but I personally did not find it as useful, mainly because I had similar high scores in six of the nine types, which made it very difficult to differentiate and then
draw conclusions.
I totally agree with the concept of relating it to emotional intelligence principles. I have not heard of the MMPI, but on Friday I will be attending a Kolbe Profile workshop. I will let you know how it goes!