Blog 8: "DISC" assessments

Last Friday, MOE arranged a special activity for all of us, in which teachers and volunteers helped us to understand ourselves better using the “DISC” assessments.  DISC is a quadrant behavioral model based on the work of Dr. William Moulton Marston (1893–1947) to examine the behavior of individuals in their environment or within a specific situation. It therefore focuses on the styles and preferences of such behavior.

The assessments classify four aspects of behavior by testing a person's preferences in word associations.  DISC stands for: Dominance – relating to control, power and assertiveness; Influence – relating to social situations and communication; Seadiness – relating to patience, persistence, and thoughtfulness; and Compliance – relating to structure and organization

I scored very high in “I”, which means I usually influence others through talking and activity and tend to be emotional. I am described as convincing, magnetic, enthusiastic, persuasive, warm, trusting, and optimistic.

I also scored high in “D”, meaning that I am very active in dealing with problems and challenges.

In “S”, I got very low scores, implying that I like change and variety.

I also got low grades in “C”, suggesting I am willing to challenge the rules and want independence and are described as self-willed, unsystematic, arbitrary, and unconcerned with details.

DISC proponents believe that characteristics of behavior can be grouped into these four major "behavior styles", which are  and they tend to exhibit specific characteristics common to that particular style. All individuals possess all four, but what differs from one to another is the extent of each.

After the activity, many students wanted to know how to change themselves and there indeed are some tips in response; however, I believe that we should not force ourselves to change because the world is beautiful as a result of variety.  If everyone is to be the same “perfect” person, the whole human society would be very dull.

Hence, I would appeal that it is okey to make some adjustments so that we can get along with others more smoothly but there is no need to change “what I am now” to”what I should be in the future”.  After all, a beautiful garden must include flowers with different colours.