Have you ever wondered what makes people 'tick'? Why people do the things they do? And why you, yourself, act and react the way you do? You're not alone.
These questions have fascinated people for ages. Socrates was among the first 'behavioral scientists' to seek the answer. In more modern times, Carl Jung and William Marston conducted extensive scientific research into the 'nature of the beast.' Marston's findings were first published in his book, The Emotions of Normal People, in 1928.
Marston's system for understanding human behavior was named DISC, an acronym for the four behavioral types he identified: dominance, influence, steadiness, and compliance. Everyone displays behavior, to some extent, in each of these four categories. One's personality develops from these four factors and is influenced by the way the factors interact with each other.
- DOMINANCE is a measure of how you respond to problems or challenges. If you attack problems and challenges, you are considered a 'high dominant' person. If you prefer to let problems take care of themselves, you are a 'low dominant' person.
- INFLUENCE refers to how you interact with and influence people. Generally, 'high influence' people are what we might call 'people persons'; they enjoy being around people and have an easy time talking with others. 'Low influence' people, conversely, are less social.
- STEADINESS is a measure of how you respond to the pace of your environment. Do you like a lot of change, or do you prefer that things remain basically the same? Some people can't stand having the same things happen to them day after day; they need and enjoy change. Other people don't like change at all, and avoid it at all costs.
- COMPLIANCE is how you respond to rules and procedures that are set by others. If you believe that rules are made to be broken, you are considered to be a 'low compliance' person. If you follow rules, you fall into the 'high compliance' category.
The DISC system analyzes each of these personality factors and reveals one's strength and weaknesses, one's actual behavior, and tendencies toward other behaviors. By understanding your personal behavioral style, then appreciating the style of others, you will be better able to achieve success in any situation, whether on the job or at home.