What is the DISC® assessment?

          The DISC assessment measures the degree of Dominance (how one responds to challenges), Influence (how one interacts and attempts to influence people), Steadiness (how one responds to changes and the pace of his environment), and Compliance (how one responds to procedures and rules set by others) that a person tends to exhibit.

          By measuring these attributes, the DISC® assessment describes a person's natural and adapted behaviors. Knowledge of the DISC® allows us to predict how one is likely to react in certain environments, and it is therefore useful in determining how a person is likely to perform in a job, for example, or how best to sell to that person. Once a person has learned a few basic elements of the DISC®, he will be able to make an educated guess as to the attributes of those with whom he interacts, and he will be able to tailor his communication style to attain the greatest impact.

          Benefits and uses of the DISC® include:

• Self-understanding, to assist in identifying one's ideal environment, strengths, and potential weaknesses.
• Understanding of one's own and others' communication styles, to facilitate mutual understanding and better working relations.
• A tool for conflict resolution.
• Keys to motivate and support an employee so she may excel in her work.
• Approaches to increase effectiveness and productivity.

          The benefits to a law firm of using the DISC® assessment are multi-fold. Not only can the firm use the DISC® to assist in hiring decisions, but the firm's lawyers may also use the DISC® to tailor communications in the office and with clients and potential clients. The firm can thus minimize conflict that results from poor or misunderstood communication and maximize client satisfaction and retention.

          How is the DISC® assessment administered?

          A person completes a 10-minute assessment by selecting the words that most and least describe her and receives the results almost immediately. Although the DISC® report contains a substantial amount of useful information, a one-hour debriefing session allows for thorough exploration of the results, explanation of how to identify others' DISC® attributes, and how to communicate with others for maximum effectiveness.

          For more information, or to arrange for your own complimentary assessment, please contact Julie Fleming Brown.