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I recently signed up for the Manager Tools' offered DISC Classic Profile 2.0 (English). It is an online questionnaire that you can sign up for from your Manager Tools membership account (http://www.manager-tools.com/amember/member.php). The cost is $29.95.

I got my access codes after the PayPal purchase in less than the 24 hours noted on the sign-up page. The sign-in process was painless. Answering the profile question via the online interface was very easy and took less than 20 minutes.

The output from the tool is a report that you can email, print, or turn into a PDF for saving for later. I picked the PDF option. The report is extremely well organized and complete. The format is the following (23 pages):

- Overview
- Your DISC Graph
- Stage I: Your Highest DISC Dimension
- Stage II: Your Intensity Index
- Stage III: Your Classical Profile Pattern (Motivation, Work Habits, Insights)
- The DISC Model
- The DISC Dimensions
- The Classical Profile Patterns
- Scoring and Data Analysis

I am very satisfied with the complete process. I highly recommend the tool to others if they are interested in learning more about their communication style.

I do have plans to offer this service to all my project members by introducing the topic via upcoming 1on1s. I'll keep the group posted on that effort.

Respectfully, Steve

itilimp's picture
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I just wanted to thank you for this review as it swung me from "Can I afford this?" to "Can I afford not to?" :)

Now I'm eagerly awaiting the assessment link to find out if I'm the DC side of things as I suspect.

It's taken me awhile to get from answering "How are you?" with "Fine, thanks." and wondering what people want to actually telling them a bit about my weekend, etc.

UPDATE: The link is through already and I have discovered that my DISC profile is: 7-1-3-7 'Creative'. Interestingly it reinforces what I suspected about myself from the DISC series of Podcasts - now to read on and find out what this means for me.

wendii's picture
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I took the DISC profile a few weeks ago, and as Steve said, it's easy and efficient and the results come to you very quickly.

The value comes later :-) . I have previously completed MBTI, OPQ, Belbin, in fact most of the standard tests, and I assess people's personalities for a living and I still a) guessed my DISC type wrongly, and therefore b) found out stuff about myself, which has changed the way I work with certain people for the better.

Even if you think you're sure, taking the DISC test will be valuable.

Wendii

Mark's picture
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Wendii-

And...?

How you behave when you're not thinking about behaving is best described as....?

Mark

wendii's picture
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High D to my shock (really didn't see myself as an achiever but I do notice now how often I think: just get to the point please!), and lots of I, which is odd for an MBTI introvert!

But hey, YOU probably knew that already right?!

Wendii

Mark's picture
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I wouldn't have had to ask a High C, and WOULDN'T have asked a High S.

Duh.

LOL.

Mark

Peter.westley's picture
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I cracked up on that interaction between you two (Wendii and Mark)! Wendii, I hadn't stopped to consciously think about what your profile is, but, subconsciously already knew through our earlier interactions on resume feedback (you initiated the possibility [D] and you have a bubbly, flowing, fun nature about your writings [I]) - that's what working with DISC over 10+ years does to you. It becomes a habit that allows almost automatic adjustment of one's own behaviour.

Of course another very important aspect to DISC profiles is not how you see yourself (that's what you get from doing the 'test') but HOW OTHERS SEE YOU. If you think you're wonderful and five others in the room think you're an idiot, guess what you are?? :-)

DISC: 2-5-6-4

trandell's picture

I was not too surprised to score high D, but I was surprised to see my D dwarf the I, S and C.

Can we run the exercise multiple times? It would be very interesting to go back and do this again after reading the report and letting some time lapse to see if the results are reproducible and consistent. I believe these exercises do produce consistent results, but the D in me wants proof :)

DiSC: 7-3-2-3

Peter.westley's picture
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Terrence: Yes you can do the test multiple times and yes your results will more or less remain consistent over time. There are environmental issues that might have an effect, but even then they tend to be transitory. I have done it many times over the years, both on myself and by others filling a survey on me. It's been quite consistent over 10+ years despite a number of different work, social and home settings.

By the way, your profile is very close to Mike Auzenne's (7-3-1-3 from memory)

wendii's picture
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Peter - Interesting that you bring up how others see me. My colleagues/managers/friends do see me as someone with D/I characteristics. I don't see myself that way at all - it's a struggle I've had with all the psychological tests; the results I get from the world don't reflect how I feel on the inside. I guess that's my path to walk! But I'm glad I can be amusing even at 4am my time. It's very stormy here and the 90 mile an hour winds were keeping me awake.

Terrance - most of the tests have a given shelf life. I took a motivation quiz yesterday (I was testing it for work - I'm not obsessed with testing myself, honest!) and the results came back saying the shelf life of the report was 18 months. People do change over time but probably where a measure is on a 10 point scale, the change might only be 1 point, max 2 points. An out and out introvert doesn't normally become an out and out extrovert, but might become more comfortable with showing extroversion if they have to give a lot of presentations for example.

I hope that helps.

Wendii

sholden's picture
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[quote="itilimp"] I have discovered that my DISC profile is: 7-1-3-7 'Creative'.[/quote]

Glad you enjoyed the review. My profile ended up as a: 7-1-2-7.

Steve

trandell's picture

I definitely gained some insight, but I am skeptical about the results after reading the report a few times. I came out as a high D, 7-3-2-3, but I exhibit more C behavior than the profile indicates. When I did it the first time I was a little rushed and excited to find out my profile, so I'm going to take it again and see what happens when I take a little more time.

Has anyone else felt their profile was "off" in some way?

Sean McGinnis's picture

Thanks again for everything you do for the community. You have helped me to be more effective in immeasurable ways, and I have passed on the learning to many others inside my business. I will continue to push those with potential on my team and others I mentor to pursue an education in the MT way.

Sean McGinnis
6-7-1-1

PierG's picture

Have someone bought one of the 'non english' versions?

Don't get me wrong guys but usually translations for business and technical stuff is so poor that I always prefer the english version. And, as this test seems to be deep, I'd prefer my mother tongue to be sure that I get all the small flavors of questions and answers.

PierG

mauzenne's picture
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PierG,

I can't recall any feedback on the Italian version, but we've had very positive feedback on the German version. So, chances are reasonable that you would find the native Italian version useful. My experience is that taking the profile in your native language can make a difference.

Mike

mauzenne's picture
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trandell,

Prior to a couple of months ago, the last time I took the DISC was in 1995. My score differed by *1* in one of the dimensions and that was over an entire decade.

Of course, this only serves as evidence to my wife of my complete inability to change. ;-)

Mike

Mark's picture
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Sean-

I love ya, man.

Mark
7-7-1-1.
All go, no slow. ;-)

Mark's picture
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Terrence-

I've never had anyone - out of THOUSANDS - ever believe it was wrong and have that viewpoint seriously validated by others.

It rarely changes, other than perhaps one or two numbers moving one spot (usually not enough to matter).

Yes, it will change if your role changes... but again, usually not by much (unless you are QUITE adaptable and your role REALLY changes.)

To my friends who take it and have this concern, I say, "It's right. Pay attention."

And remember that it's NOT your profile that is so important... it's your adaptability.

Mark

Mark

Dani Martin's picture
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[quote]And remember that it's NOT your profile that is so important... it's your adaptability.

[/quote]

That really is the key thing that so many of us forget. We've been using DISC profiles in my organization for nearly 3 years and I'm always amazed at how much everyone wants to talk about what THEIR profile is and that this somehow justifies their less than effective behavior ("I'm a high D. That's why I'm rude. Deal with it.") rather than how they are using it to adjust their behavior with others.

PS -- I actually am a high D, so I can say that we're (sometimes) rude. :D

trandell's picture

I went ahead and purchased the profile again to satisfy my curiosity. Take 1 yielded a score of 7-3-2-3 and take 2 is a 7-2-2-3. That, along with the long experience of the folks here, settles it for me. As Popeye said, "I am what I am". :)

juliahhavener's picture
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I wasn't terribly surprised by mine. I like the all go, no slow. Pretty apt! I avoided 'tactless' but did get in range of 'stubborn'.

Julia
6-7-1-2

PierG's picture

That's me: 6-5-2-7

PierG

Sean McGinnis's picture

Mark:

"All Go. No Slow"

Classic. :D

I actually had a High C employee call me "The Borg" the other day. "Resistance is futile!"

The funny thing is that being a sales guy for the last 12 years, I had assumed High I all the way. Then I received feedback from someone in the business about my being a bit too "directive" in my relationships with vendors. Keeping an eye on this side of me raised my awareness of this tendency. The profile confirmed it.

I wonder if my answers skewed this way because that is how I saw myself. Can the profile be subconsciously gamed at all?

drinkcoffee's picture

I just ordered and took the online profile. Now I know what I always suspected:

3-2-4-6

High S, High C, and feeling fine about it.

Peter.westley's picture
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drinkcoffee:

At last! Someone who's not a 6 or 7 intensity D!

I think I have found a friend :wink:

DISC: 2-5-6-4

drinkcoffee's picture

Peter --

Excellent! I'm sure there are more of us out there...we're just not as assertive and outgoing, so no one knows -- ha ha.

Cheers,
- Bill

cwcollin's picture

I'm having trouble locating it for some reason.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Charles

aspiringceo's picture

Hi Charles,

Go the the main MT site by clicking on the MT logo in the top left corner of the screen, from there click on "my profile" (top right) and in the membership type box click on your prefered DISC type and payment method then click "order"

Edmund

nathanbeaudry's picture

I knew I would be lowest in D but I had no idea how low it would be.

1-2-7-7 (How'd I end up a manager anyway?) :)
Classical Pattern: Perfectionist

High S, High C (I feel fine too, drinkcoffee).

This assessment was worth every penny. The report really gave me a lot of insight into my weaknesses (which I already had a pretty good idea about). The "insights" section is very helpful particularly the ideas for boosting my productivity.

Well worth the small fee. I am very glad to have this resource. Reading it every now and again will help me stay focused. :)

quenfis's picture

New to Manager-Tools, and first time post. I took the DISC Profile and ended up at 6-1-1-7. Not a shock to me. I passed the info on to my boss, of which I have a great relationship. He found it extremely useful in learning how to challenge me and interact with me on the work front. I'm trying to get him to purchase the profile as well, so far no luck. I suspect he is a High D/High I.

I've listened to about 30 podcasts so far. Loving the information and working hard to place it in my day to day management. Lot's of great people and resources here!

cwcollin's picture

5-3-6-3 and reading through it is like looking in the mirror except that it is giving me something constructive to do instead of just hollering back

"You look funny"

I'll become the fairest yet.

Peter.westley's picture
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Quenfis:

Glad you're here and have found the podcasts useful. If you hang around the forums you'll be just as pleased with the material here as well.

Welcome!

MattJBeckwith's picture
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[quote="sholden"]I highly recommend the tool to others if they are interested in learning more about their communication style.[/quote]

I have been listening to M-T for over a year and was fairly certain I knew my DISC profile and even started communicating with my team differently because of it. I originally thought that I didn't need to actually take the survey.

[b]I was wrong![/b]

Thanks for that recommendation Steve, it's what finally convinced me to go for it.

Even though I ended up right about where I thought I would, (there was never any doubt in my mind that I was a high-I) the report was amazingly accurate in its nuances. The DISC cheat sheet is now even more powerful and is helping me understand the best way to effectively interact with my team.

So, when we meet in DC in April, should we add our DISC profiles to our name tags :wink: ?

sholden's picture
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[quote="DaveTehre"][quote="sholden"]I highly recommend the tool to others if they are interested in learning more about their communication style.[/quote]

Thanks for that recommendation Steve, it's what finally convinced me to go for it.

So, when we meet in DC in April, should we add our DISC profiles to our name tags :wink: ?[/quote]

You are welcome!

I was just telling my wife that the conference will be great since many of us have already talked about our profiles, but adding them to name tags would make it even easier ...

Steve

cbarclay's picture

I did mine awhile ago, but hadn't posted the results. I figured I'd be a high C and it turned out true.

I'm a 4336 Objective Thinker.

I'm not in IT, but I can't get the "Ready, Aim, Aim, Aim, Aim, Aim..." out of my head.

cBarclay

dbeene's picture

I just finished reading my DISC profile after using the DISC Classic 2.0 offering through MT. The result? 1-2-7-7: Perfectionist

I thought [color=red]What? Surely it must be a mistake.[/color] I expected it be much more moderate than that. Like maybe 3-3-6-5 or something.....Of all the things that could be said of me, nothing makes me bristle more than being called a perfectionist. Surely, it's a mistake . . . I thought.

But I read the full DISC profile report. Of its 23 pages, about half of it is tailored for one's responses. The other half is general (but useful) information on the model and other behavioral styles.

As I read the profile, I kept seeing myself in the descriptions.

The report was very thorough and full of useful information. Several characteristics are described in each behavioral style. So for me, Low-D characteristics were described . . . along with Low-I, High-S, High-C. The profile also explained how each trait can be a strength and a weakness (if taken to the extreme).

This is paradigm shift for me . . . A low score in a certain style does not indicate a weakness or deficiency. A Low-D characteristic (in moderation) like "modest" can be a valued strength in an organization. Just like "diplomatic" (High-C) can be a strength.

There are some discrepancies (sometimes stark) between what the profile said about my tendencies what I think to be true. But on the whole, I think it's right.

But I still don't like being profiled as a "perfectionist". :D

Donnie
1-2-7-7

portland_bill's picture

[color=green]Hi,

I have been converted and seen the light, it is all about behaviour!

I have taken the test and as a High D, I certainly need to start working on being more patient, perhaps a little less Fire, and more aim aim aim.

I would really like to ask all my directs to take the DISC test and start working with them on looking at behaviour and how they interact with others and then working as a group to start understanding how this can help us achieve our goals more effectively.

Q. Would it be best to handle this through 1 on 1's or through a group exercise?

Thanks for all the really helpful tools.[/color]

quenfis's picture

Very "colorful" for a non-creative. :P

I would definitely start with 1 on 1's. This will allow you to get their behaviors and interactions on paper. It might also be a good idea to point them here. Or, possibly select a few podcasts that might help to inform them on how behavior is important, and how the DISC profile can help to increase productive interaction.

Once you have seen the light, it's time to shine that light outward to others. I'm not sure if you have a budget to pull from, but it might be a clever idea to purchase a few cheap MP3 players or iPod shuffle with the podcasts on them for the group. You may be able to open up a discussion during 1 on 1's about the the podcast that they listened to the week prior, or currently.

Just some thoughts.

rwwh's picture
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I took the Manager Tools DISC profile today. Being a non-native English speaker, I found it harder than I thought it would be, and I used the "explain word" feature on every question.

Since I have carefully listened to the 5 DISC podcasts I was not really surprised to find a high I: I have always been told that my voice is loud, and people duck for cover when I start gesticulating. I was a bit surprised by the high-D (I sometimes see myself as not demanding enough), but I guess that the high D is partially offset by the moderate S in 6641.

Now I have to work on getting 1000 people in my contact list ;-)

juliahhavener's picture
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Even as a native English speaker, I used the Explain Word feature...so many words in this language have very subtle differences!

roger_reiss's picture

I used the "explain word" extensively as well; not because I didn't understand the word, but just to make extra sure that my definition matched the program's definition. How's that for "aim, aim, aim..."? :lol: Kind of what you would expect from a high C.

juliahhavener's picture
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[quote="roger_reiss"]I used the "explain word" extensively as well; not because I didn't understand the word, but just to make extra sure that my definition matched the program's definition. How's that for "aim, aim, aim..."? :lol: Kind of what you would expect from a high C.[/quote]

Then what's my excuse?

roger_reiss's picture

Curiosity? DISC isn't perfect, and your C isn't ZERO. :wink:

juliahhavener's picture
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I like that answer. :lol:

Mark's picture
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And please please please remember:

it's not where you ARE that matters. It's what you can learn about others, and how adaptable you are!

Good to be back.

Mark

Mark's picture
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Chefelf-

I'm sorry this has taken me so long. I regret my absence.

You and I are virtually exact opposites in terms of natural tendencies.

Glad you're here. Diversity is wonderful!

Mark

Mark's picture
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Donnie-

Sorry this took me so long.

You and I are polar opposites, and I too don't like some of the verbiage in my report (which Julia knows):

"others may feel manipulated or used..."

OUCH.

And, it's right. MINE AND YOURS. :wink:

Mark

juliahhavener's picture
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[quote="mahorstman"]You and I are polar opposites, and I too don't like some of the verbiage in my report (which Julia knows):

"others may feel manipulated or used..."[/quote]

Yeah...that line is one that stings a bit. I gave my profile to my new lead when he told me he was convinced he had a personality disorder based on his response to his first piece of adjusting feedback. I'm hoping to have him complete a profile soon because I'm betting it comes back with a nice big C on it. I told him he didn't have a personality disorder...just a personality and a method of behavior/communication that works for him.

I explained a bit about DiSC, encouraged him to come listen, assured him that 'feedback' is not a 'reprimand' (those come in writing with several signatures on it) and he can expect to get lots of practice at receiving both kinds. Reading my profile helped him a bit, gave him a good chuckle (he actually pointed out the manipulated line), and a greater understanding of the behaviors that *I* have had to learn to rein in a bit in order to succeed.

ronaldope's picture

After attending your(Mark) session at the conference, I have been listening to your podcast whenever I get the chance. I knew from my own self that I need to develop my time management & communication skills before anything else. Before I even make my first post here, I took the DISC test & I know that I will fall between S & C category. Hopefully, as I keep on my DISC sheet I would be able to adjust & better develop my other weak skills which is around the D & I. Looks like there are lots of helpful people in here, sharing thoughts & experience. I look forward to get more insights on manager-tools both from the podcast/blog & forums.

ronaldDope

quentindaniels's picture
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I have been listening to the disc podcast series, a few times over, for about a month now and recently took my official disc profile. 7711 as it would seem, luckily, I am used to being at the extremities of personality tests (MBTI = 100% Extrovert). And while I did enjoy the analysis, as it talks about me :), I was expecting more details about my weaknesses and how to compensate for them.

Is that where the podcasts are supposed to fill in for the test? or am I worrying too much about the perfect action, versus any improved action, in regards to how my behavior is interpreted?

Also, on a completely separate note, in the most recent B-week an individual wrote-in asking how can one size-up people psychologically in business, with a M.D. psychoanalyst responding. see link below.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_15/b4029024.htm?chan=top...

Being moved by the question, and by the poor viability of the response, I found the individual who posed the question online and shot him an email expressing the gains I have found in the dISC profile. To be taken somewhat seriously, I left out the fact that I was a college student, but did not lie about anything, as i am doing this to help this individual with his problem. I gave him a link to the improving your feedback podcast page to help give an overview. He wrote me back thanking me and telling me he would look in to it.

I am confident in the disc profile, hence my profession, but also wished to make sure I was giving suitable advice to this individual. I would interested/eager to learn any methods that might answer this question besides disc.

I ask because, even as a neophyte to the business world, it looks to me a like communication problem. It is the individual's inability to understand what others are telling him through their actions. The psychoanalyst's role, in the given solution, and the disc profile are synonymous in that they both provide conclusions from given behaviors. Is this a naive to believe that one can be effective with only disc and without expert help? or does dISC fail to operate in this exact form, or at such high levels of dealings?

MBS

wendii's picture
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Hi MBS

DISC describes your communication style when you are not thinking about it. Think of it as an impartial observer. He moves his hands, he looks away, he uses short, direct sentances. This allows disc to categorise you with people that communicate in a similar way.

In your work, you may find yourself working with someone who has the same tendancies as you. You will feel like you've found your soulmate! Fred, you will say, is so easy to work with, it's like he reads my mind.

You may (will probably) find yourself working with someone the exact opposite of you. Annie, you will say, drives me mad, uses 50 words when one will do, and did we have to dot every single i?

What disc allows you to do then, is step back and think, Annie is a high C, that's why I'm getting frustrated. I need to bite my tongue a little, make sure she's ok with what we're sending out. Then the communication will go a lot better.

There is no perfect. It doesn't matter what DISC profile you have, you will still be different to most of the other people in the world. It helps you be conscious of your style and understand theirs, and adapt if necessary.

As for your question around the pyschologist, I don't think you need to be qualified; if Disc and other tools fascinate you, read and read and you'll see disc as part of a whole. If it doesn't, it's an interesting tool, which you can use day to day and as you use it, you will get better and better.

I hope that helps.

Wendii

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