A Standard DISC assessment
highlights two aspects of behaviour:
Basic behaviour – our natural behaviour – who we are in a safe environment. Basic behaviour is influenced by genetics and early learning, but tends to remain stable over time.
Adapted behaviour – the adjustments we make to our behaviour in order to adapt to different environments and situations, e.g. in the workplace. Since adapted behaviour is learned, it can vary considerably between different contexts.
Origin – The DISC model was introduced by psychologist William Moulton Marston in 1928 to describe four observable behaviour patterns: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance. His work focused on how emotions affect behaviour in everyday situations, rather than on fixed personality types. DISC is designed with a clear purpose and uses a visual colour language, inspired by Goethe's colour theory, which makes the results easy to interpret and communicate.
DISC is not a personality test
Rather, it is a self-reflective analysis that aims to increase awareness, promote clearer communication and contribute to stronger relationships.
Benefits of DISC
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Easy to explain and understand, using a clear colour-based framework.
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Supports greater self-awareness and understanding of others.
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Enhances communication and promotes more constructive relationships in both professional and personal settings.
Areas of Use
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Valuable in contexts involving communication, collaboration and self-reflection.
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Increases awareness of behavioural differences, leading to improved interaction and efficiency.
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Commonly applied in individual coaching and team development, where enhanced self-awareness supports stronger working relationships.
Commonly applied in individual coaching and team development.
Increases awareness of behavioural differences, leading to improved interaction and efficiency.
Valuable in contexts involving communication, collaboration and self-reflection.
See a sample report here -
To see full report, contact us for more information and access to more material.
DISC
Situational DISC
Standard DISC vs. Situational DISC
Standard DISC remains one of the most widely used self-reflective assessments for personal development and communication. For those who want to retain the familiar DISC structure, but at the same time achieve greater situational adaptation and comparability, Situational DISC offers an expanded and more flexible alternative.
DISC is an ipsative assessment that highlights only basic and adapted behaviours.
Situational DISC is a normative assessment, meaning it can measure behaviour in specific situations and compare results with broader reference groups – making them more flexible and dynamic.
Behavioural style assessments are based on self-evaluation and are not personality tests.
Measurement
Behavioural view
Flexibility
Best suited for
Comparability
Report style
Ipsative – compares the individual with themselves
Shows two fixed states: basic and adapted behaviour
Limited – static behavioural overview
Personal reflection, communication and self-awareness
Cannot be compared between people
Uses colour-based language
Normative – results can be compared across individuals, teams and groups
Shows behavior in several real-life situations
High – tailored to chosen contexts (e.g. colleagues, manager, conflict, customers)
Professional use in coaching, recruitment, leadership and team development
Fully comparable across individuals, teams and organisations
Enriched with situational contexts and normative precision using colour language