Most Conducive Environment for DISC profiles

Most Conducive Environment
for DISC profiles

In 1984, I was introduced to the DISC Personal Profile System now known as the DISC Classic. I found it to be extremely helpful in gaining a deeper insight to myself and having a general understanding of others.

There are 24 groups of descriptive words in this self-administered instrument. You are to select one that MOST describes you and one that LEAST describes you. From your choices, three graphs are plotted. The DISC profile shows

Graph 1 - Expected behaviour (by others)
This graph refers to the current demands of your present work environment and acknowledges the influence others have on your behaviour.
Graph 2 - Natural instinctive behaviour under stress
This graph reflects the stored and accepted information from your past and tends to be the most static of the three graphs.
Graph 3 - Self-perception
This is a summary graph of the earlier two graphs. It is a description of your self-identity and shows your adapted behaviour.

General Highlights - Next, each of us are to circle the highest plotting point of Graph 3 (self-perception) and that would identify us as a High D, I, S or C. We are provided with the basis of (stage 1) interpretation - the general highlights of a High D, I, S or C which include the following:

Description:
- This person's natural tendencies
- The environment most conducive to this person's success
Action Plan:
- The types of people who best complement this person
- The actions this person needs for personal development and growth

The DISC Personal Profile System explore behavioural issues across four primary dimensions. Here's a summary.

Dominance - Direct & Decisive
High D's are strong-willed, strong-minded people who like accepting challenges, taking action, and getting immediate results.
Influence - Optimistic & Outgoing
High I's are "people people" who like participating in teams, sharing ideas, and energizing and entertaining others.
Steadiness - Sympathetic & Cooperative
High S's are helpful people who like working behind the scenes, performing in consistent and predictable ways, and being good listeners.
Conscientiousness - Concerned & Correct
High C's are sticklers for quality and like planning ahead, employing systematic approaches, and checking and re-checking for accuracy.

For many of us who completed the profile, our focus seems to be our natural tendencies and the classical profile patterns (in stage 3 interpretation). I like to take a look at the most conducive environment for our success and the relationship between the three graphs.

Most Conducive Environment for ...

High D

Challenging
Offers authority and control
With varied activities

High I

Social recognition
Freedom from control and details
Opportunity to influence others

High S

Consistent and familiar
Offers an area of specialisation
Working with a group

High C

Supportive and predictable
Clearly defined job description
Work requiring precision and planning

Relationship between the three graphs - When expected behaviour is different from your natural behavioural style, you may be experiencing discomfort even stress in your present work environment. But when they are similar, this means that your environment is using your natural tendencies and you are fairly comfortable where you are. More information on the interpretation of dissimilar and similar graphs is available in the instrument.

It makes sense to leverage on strengths ... the organisation benefits and you are happy.

Do you eat with your left or right hand?

Respond mentally before continuing to read.

You are a strange creature! I like to watch you eat ... imagine putting a spoonful of rice into your hand (left or right) and start squashing with your fingers!

I know this is a ridiculous illustration but I am trying to get across an important point - use your gift that you have received. If you are a hand, function as a hand; if a mouth then function as a mouth. Don't try to be somebody else; you will not be effective. Do you know what is worse? The body suffers.

If we should leverage on our natural tendencies (cf Psa 139:13) then shouldn't we leverage much more on our spiritual gifts (cf 1 Cor 12:7).

Use your spiritual gift - The Bible is clear on the use of our spiritual gifts.

As each one has received a special gift,

employ it in serving one another

as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Pet 4:10

6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,

each of us is to exercise them accordingly:

if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;

7 if service, in his serving;

or he who teaches, in his teaching;

8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation;

he who gives, with liberality;

he who leads, with diligence;

he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Rom 12:6-8

As illustrated above, if you are a hand, function as a hand.

This is good stewardship (1 Pet 4:10).

If you are exploring fulltime ministry then you should consider how the Lord has gifted you; get involved in a ministry where you can use your gift (Col 4:17 and 2 Tim 4:5).

... Take heed to the ministry

which you have received in the Lord,

that you may fulfill it. Col 4:17

How does one discern one's gift?

Study the four passages of Scripture on spiritual gifts:
Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:7-11; Eph 4:11-13; and 1 Pet 4:10-11.
Serve ... get involved in different ministry opportunities
Pray and Reflect ... on (2) in the light of (1)

(a) Which ministry did you enjoy the most?
When you are serving in an area of your gifting, you will experience God's power and find fulfillment.

(b) Which ministry has been of the greatest blessing to the body of Christ?
Spiritual gifts are given for the edification of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:7 and Eph 4:11-13). This (edification) is the best indication of your spiritual gift.

The DISC Personal Profile System is a measure of observable behaviour; it should not be used as an assessment of spiritual gifts.

Do not use your gifting as an excuse for not serving the body of Christ. Knowing your gift will help you determine your priorities in service (Acts 6:3-4).

Also do not confuse spiritual gifts with office (i.e., position). One of the gifts is that of pastor/teacher. This is a supernatural ability to teach and individually apply the Word of God and care for others. This gift is not limited to the office of pastor. If you have this gift, you could be very effective as a dean of students in a Bible college or as a cell group leader in your church.