Extended DISC: It's About Self-Awareness, Not Changing Who You Are

Self-awareness is not about changing who you are. So, what is it really about and how does DISC support it?

In a world obsessed with self-improvement and transformation, it’s easy to misunderstand tools like the Extended DISC assessment. DISC is often seen as a way to reshape who we are to fit certain expectations, especially in professional settings. However, the true purpose of DISC isn’t about changing you. It’s about increasing self-awareness—understanding your natural tendencies, behaviors, and communication styles to leverage them effectively in personal and professional interactions.

What is the DISC Assessment?

The DISC assessment categorizes individuals into four primary personality traits: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). Each of these traits reflects different ways people approach tasks, interact with others, and handle situations:

• Dominance: Focused on results and challenges, often direct and decisive.
• Influence: Socially oriented, outgoing, and concerned with relationships and influencing others.
• Steadiness: Calm, supportive, and patient, favoring collaboration and consistency.
• Conscientiousness: Detail-oriented, analytical, and focused on accuracy and quality.

Everyone has a unique blend of these traits, with certain characteristics more dominant than others. DISC doesn’t box you into a type; it provides a framework for understanding yourself and others better.

Self-Awareness vs. Self-Change

One of the biggest misconceptions about Extended DISC (and similar personality assessments) is that they are tools meant to force you into becoming someone else. In reality, DISC is a mirror that reflects your natural style—it helps you become more self-aware of how you show up in different environments and with different people.

For example, if you score high in Dominance, you may naturally take charge in situations. DISC doesn’t tell you to suppress this trait, but it makes you aware of how your directness might be received by others, particularly those who score higher in Steadiness or Conscientiousness. You learn to be mindful of different dynamics while staying true to your core personality.

The key benefit of DISC is its ability to enhance your emotional intelligence. By understanding your own behavioral patterns, you can better understand others' responses to you. This creates space for improved communication, conflict resolution, and collaboration.

Leveraging Extended DISC in Life and Work

In both personal and professional settings, DISC is a powerful tool for self-awareness. By understanding your DISC profile, you can:

• Strengthen Relationships: Recognize how your natural tendencies affect others and adjust your communication style to connect more effectively.
• Enhance Teamwork: Know how your colleagues approach problems and tasks differently and use that knowledge to foster collaboration.
• Improve Leadership: Great leaders adapt their approach based on the needs of their team members. Self-aware leaders leverage DISC to create environments where different personality types can thrive.
• Develop Personal Growth: Self-awareness is the first step in any personal development journey. DISC gives you the vocabulary and framework to identify areas where you might want to grow—not change who you are but expand your capacity to understand and navigate the world.

The Bottom Line: Embrace Your True Self

DISC is not about becoming something you’re not. It’s about giving you the tools to understand and embrace who you already are—and how that impacts the way you interact with the world. Instead of trying to "fix" yourself or mold yourself into someone else’s expectations, DISC allows you to celebrate your unique strengths while being mindful of areas that could benefit from adaptation.

Ultimately, it’s about self-awareness—not changing who you are!

Written by Margie Roesner