DiSC Platinum Rule Analysis 01 1
DiSC Platinum Rule Analysis
Dante Dionne
University of Phoenix
MGT 331: Organizational Behavior
Group GA01BSM09B
Instructor: Donald Kilgore, MBA
December 9, 2003
Introduction
The following paper is an analysis that explores the exercise results of the DiSC Platinum Rule behavioral assessment. Included in this report is an examination of both the external observer component findings along with the author’s comments regarding individually administered observational assessment component.
Background
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of BS/BM from the University of Phoenix, in late November 2003 a personalized and comprehensive DISC Platinum Rule, Behavioral Style Assessment was undertaken by the author. Based Upon The Platinum Rule Model of Behavioral Styles by Dr. Tony Alessandra, the DiSC Platinum Behavioral Style Assessment (BSA) is designed to aid the incumbent to become a “better person” and to enable them to “behave more maturely and productively” by “teaching” the individual ways to focus on their goals as apposed to their “fears”. Thus enabling the individual to “develop and use more of their natural strengths, while recognizing, improving upon and modifying their limitations” (Alessandra, 1996).
The perceptions of the author regarding the assessment results have been influenced by taking into account a number of other similar exercises the author has partaken to include the Myers-Briggs instrument that generates sixteen distinct personality profiles based on which side of the four scales an individual tends toward that had identified the author as a more abstract utilitarian (ENTP); In the most well-known personality type system, the DISC personality assessment had identified the author as type “DI” which refers to someone who is predominantly “dominant/driven” yet “influential/inspiring”. Also the Hippocrates/LaHaye four temperaments/humors classification methodology classified the author as being “choleric” type.
Discussion
The “Golden Rule” says to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Being that all individuals are unique in their likes, dislikes, and desires, this statement would appear incomplete. Which is fundamental premise for the Platinum Rule, which takes this distinction into account by stating, "Do unto others as they would like done unto them" (Alessandra, 1996). The BSA analyzed the author’s personality based upon four basic behavioral types and predicted how to best utilize the determined behavioral type to apply Dr. Alessandra's Platinum Rule.
With the desire to understand personal behavior and just how it may affect others, the author invited eight observers that were both school associates and business associates to assist in developing an “Observer Composite Report” by completing a 360-degree assessment that conveyed the observer’s perspective of the actual behavior of the author.
This exercise intended to examine the author’s reaction’s to other people, assist in maximizing personal strengths, help to sustain a positive attitude about self and others, and adapt individual behavior to create positive outcomes in particular situations.
Assessment Findings
After comparing the self-assessment with the accurate composite assessment by the observers (business and school associates), it is determined that there are more similarities among the previous personality and behavioral assessments and that of the observers (both business and school associates) than there is with the results of the self-assessment.
School associates (5) viewed the author as having a high Dominance-Interactive Style whereas business associates (3) perceived a more high Interactive-Dominance Style.
The “Dominance” style behaviors exhibited by the author could possibly result in being perceived by the academic observers as uncompromising, overbearing, and pressuring.
This is understandable as the “Dominance” style is said to “seek expedience and are not afraid to bend the rules” and are more “accepting of challenges,” willing to “take on authority, plunge headfirst into solving problems, take charge during a crisis, and challenge outdated thinking and ideas” (Alessandra, 1996).
The more “Interactive” style behaviors exhibited by the author could possibly result in being perceived by the business observers as excitable, impatient, and manipulative.
This is understandable as the “Interactive” style is said to possess strengths in “enthusiasm, charm, persuasiveness, and warmth”. Individuals strong in the “Interactive” style are “gifted in people skills, great influencers, optimists with an abundance of charisma, and are idea-people and dreamers who excel at getting others excited about their vision in order to build alliances to accomplish their goals” (Alessandra, 1996).
Contrary to external perceptions and findings, the “individually administered” behavioral assessment performed by the author upon himself, yielded quite differing and perplexing results. The self-reflection assessment results portrayed the author as having predominantly an “Interactive” style, and suggests the “Steadiness” style as a secondary set of behaviors exhibited on a regular basis.
The results of this assessment either have been misinterpreted or appear to differ highly from both the external observers findings and the author’s self-observed behavioral styles. For example, the “individual report states that the author’s behavioral style weaknesses lead the author to be “Disorganized” which is unfounded as the author manages all activities and effort expenditures in detail daily by documenting, prioritizing and controlling all activities using an electronic calendaring and reminder system to keep track of all commitments, appointments, and deadlines even up to a year in advance. The area of improvement seen in this particular behavior would be remembering that most tasks take more time than deemed necessary and allowing for that fact in time estimates.
The next example the individual report states that the author’s behavioral style may exhibit weakness in is “careless”.
This is not expounded upon enough for the author to make an intelligent comment towards however the fact that the author prioritizes all activities and focuses upon tasks in order of importance leads the author to perceive this area of potential weakness to be negligible as well. Next the individual report states that the author’s behavioral style may exhibit weakness in “exaggeration”. While this argument could be expounded upon towards both directions, the author would argue that the high-level of detail that goes into the decision making process would be evidence of avoiding exaggeration and hyperbole by attempting to be realistic in all things.
Lastly the individual report states that the author’s behavioral style may exhibit weakness in “poor follow-through”.
The argument here would be that while the ability to deliver on all commitments and meet all deadlines is humanly impossible, the author prides himself on taking the time to clarify commitments and expectations of others and to limit assumptions.
Summary
The DiSC Platinum observer composite report is a tool that is intended to convey the individual’s behavioral style through the eyes of others, along with their degree of self-awareness. Providing personality tests and profiles has become a type of entertainment on the Internet over the last decade. There are many self-improvement devices available that are directly related to measuring one's personality, lifestyle, and/or outlook on life. Regardless of the level of intelligence, individuals should have more insight into what their own thoughts and motives are than others although others may be more accurate observers of their actual behavior.
Reference
Alessandra, T. Dr. (1996). "The Platinum Rule" Retrieved November 30, 2003 from
DISC Insights. (2003). The Personality System. The Institute of Motivational Living, Inc. Retrieved November 30, 2003 from
Myers-Briggs. (1998). Myers-Briggs type indicator. Consulting Psychologists Press, Inc. Retrieved November 30, 2003 from