Executive Summary
DISC is one of the most widely used and respected behavioural assessment tools in the world. At The DISC Agency, we deliver expert-facilitated DISC workshops that transform the way individuals, teams, and organisations communicate, collaborate, and perform. This white paper is designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of DISC assessments, their practical applications, and the transformative power of facilitated DISC workshops.
Even though DISC is one of the most popular assessments on the market, you might not know everything you’d like to know about it. This paper will explore everything you need to know about DISC — from the benefits of the assessment to the ways individuals, teams and organisations can benefit from its insights.
What is the DISC Assessment?
DISC is a universal behavioural model that goes over four separate behavioural factors: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance. It is based on the work of psychologist William Marston and was later developed into an assessment by industrial psychologist Walter V. Clarke in the 1960s.
Put simply: the DISC assessment measures how a person does what they do. It creates a language around observable behaviour. While a typical person may have one or two dominant characteristics, it’s the combination of the four components of DISC that defines a person’s behavioural makeup — unique to every individual.
What Does Each Behavioural Factor Measure?
- Dominance (D) RED: How someone responds to problems and challenges.
- High D: Direct communicator
- Low D: Reflective communicator
- Influence (I) Yellow: How someone chooses to influence people and contacts.
- High I: Outgoing communicator
- Low I: Reserved communicator
- Steadiness (S) Green: How someone responds to pace and consistency.
- High S: Predictable communicator
- Low S: Dynamic communicator
- Compliance (C) Blue: How someone responds to procedures and compliance.
- High C: Precise communicator
- Low C: Pioneering communicator
Did TTI Create DISC?
TTI Success Insights did not create DISC — it was originally developed from the theories of William Marston and later shaped into an assessment by Walter V. Clarke. However, TTI has been a global innovator in the application of DISC since 1984, introducing the first computerised and personalised DISC assessments.
What Makes TTI’s DISC Different from Other Providers?
Many companies offer DISC assessments, but TTI Success Insights stands apart in several critical ways:
- Full Graph Analysis: TTI examines the entire DISC graph — not just scores above the energy line — offering a holistic and accurate interpretation of behavioural styles.
- Innovative Since 1984: TTI developed the first computer-based DISC tool and continues to lead the industry.
- In-House Research Team: TTI operates its own neuroscience and psychometric research lab with ongoing internal and peer-reviewed studies.
Who Can Use DISC?
DISC is accessible and useful at every level of an organisation:
For Individuals:
- Develop self-awareness
- Maximise strengths
- Enhance communication
- Minimise conflict
- Increase engagement
For Two People: The Comparison Report
- Highlights communication styles and differences
- Ideal for manager–employee, teammates, hiring comparisons or resolving conflict
For Teams: The Team Report
- Maps DISC styles across departments
- Reveals gaps in communication
- Builds team cohesion and mutual understanding
For Organisations:
- Use multiple team reports to get a behavioural snapshot of departments
- Identify high-functioning teams and those requiring development
- Improve engagement and productivity across the board
The Power of the DISC Assessment
When facilitated by an accredited expert, the DISC assessment becomes more than just a report. It becomes a catalyst for self-awareness, team alignment, and organisational growth. The DISC profile report offers insights into:
- Personal strengths and potential blind spots
- Ideal working environments
- Communication preferences
- How one responds to conflict, pressure, and change
- Natural leadership and decision-making styles
TTI Success Insights, our preferred provider, offers industry-leading DISC profiles with multi-science options such as EQ (Emotional Intelligence), Driving Forces, and Competencies for a holistic view of performance.
What Happens in a Facilitated DISC Workshop?
At The DISC Agency, our workshops are interactive, insightful, and tailored to your team’s unique dynamics. Led by accredited DISC experts, including our national team of senior facilitators, workshops typically include:
- Introduction to the DISC Model: Overview of the four styles and behavioural insights.
- Debrief of Individual Reports: Each participant receives their personalised DISC profile.
- Interactive Activities: Real-world application exercises to embed understanding.
- Team DISC Mapping: Visual mapping of the team’s style distribution.
- Communication Strategies: Tailored advice on how to communicate with each style.
- Action Planning: Translating insights into practical next steps.
Workshops are usually half day or full day and can be delivered onsite or virtually and are ideal for teams, leaders, customer-facing roles, project teams, and cross-functional groups.
Who Benefits from DISC Workshops?
DISC workshops are powerful tools for:
- Leadership Teams: Improve influence, delegation, and team motivation.
- Sales Teams: Understand buyer styles and adapt selling techniques.
- Customer Service: Enhance service delivery through tailored interactions.
- Project Teams: Strengthen collaboration and reduce friction.
- HR & Recruitment: Improve job fit, onboarding, and culture alignment.
How Can You Use DISC Right Now?
DISC is a foundational assessment for all TTI Success Insights products — it’s an excellent introduction to the science of self and others. It’s easy to absorb and immediately applicable. If you’re looking for practical, results-focused tools, DISC is the perfect starting point.
Use DISC to Support:
- Coaching
- Team building
- Training
- Leadership development
Why Choose The DISC Agency?
The DISC Agency is Australia’s leading provider of DISC-based training and facilitation. As a Senior Partner, I bring a decade of experience in behavioural profiling, leadership development, and communication strategy. Our facilitators are not only certified in DISC (TTI Success Insights), but also skilled educators, coaches, and corporate trainers.
What sets us apart:
- Practical, real-world application of DISC principles
- Customisable workshops tailored to your goals
- National delivery through experienced facilitators in major cities
- Ongoing support including coaching, team refreshers, and e-learning
Beyond DISC: Multi-Science Profiles
We often integrate DISC with other behavioural sciences:
- EQ (Emotional Quotient): Emotional Intelligence for better leadership and interpersonal impact
- Driving Forces: Understand what motivates behaviour
- Acumen: Clarity in decision-making and problem-solving
- Competencies: Key soft skills for success in role
This multi-dimensional approach enables deeper insights and long-term behavioural change.
Conclusion
The DISC Assessment, when facilitated correctly, is one of the most effective tools for transforming people and performance. Whether you’re a business leader, HR professional, or part of a high-performing team, investing in DISC is an investment in clarity, cohesion, and capability.
At The DISC Agency, we don’t just deliver reports. We facilitate transformation.
By John Wright, Senior Partner at The DISC Agency | TTI Success Insights Accredited Practitioner / Facilitator.
To learn more or book a discovery call, visit www.thediscagency.com.au Call 1300 690 469 or connect with John Wright on LinkedIn.
