A regular assessment schedule is part of the human resources policy of a growing number of organisations. By appraising performance through interviews and management reporting, it becomes possible to build a comprehensive picture of staff performance, and isolate any particular problems before they grow to serious proportions. The inclusion of DISC profiling in this process can further enhance its effectiveness. There are a variety of ways that DISC can help to isolate problems and suggest possible solutions. These include: Divergent External ProfilesIf a particular individual shows marked shifts between their Internal and External profiles, this is an indication that they feel somehow uncomfortable in their current position. This might indicate that they are unsuitable for their present work, but at least as often, it simply reflects an inaccurate perception of the requirements of their position. Discovering which of these possibilities applies in a given situation can usually be achieved by comparing the profile series with a Job Profile for the individual's role. Compressed ProfilesThe appearance of a Compressed Profile in a DISC profile series is often a pointer to some kind of long-term pressure situation. In a work environment, a profile of this kind is often a pointer to a lack of direction or certainty, suggesting that the person concerned feels unsure of the expectations of their colleagues and managers, or the nature of work that is expected of them. StressCalculating the stress levels within a DISC profile series can often be a useful indicator of a person's state of mind. It is usually possible to assess whether any stress stems specifically from the work environment, or is associated with the individual's general lifestyle. In either case, high levels of stress will have a deleterious effect on performance over the long term. Similarity of External ProfilesWhere a number of people working within a team or department show very similar External Profiles to one another, this is suggestive of a subtle problem. Managers with very well-defined styles (especially dominant and highly assertive ones) can have a significant impact on the members of their team, to the extent that an entire group's External Profiles adapt to meet the manager's expectations. While this phenomenon might actually be desirable in a highly structured environment, it is often associated with problems of motivation. This is because members are being forced to suppress their natural abilities, impacting on their performance. Large shifts between the Internal and External profiles can also decrease motivation, again with a negative effect on performance. Assessment programmes using DISC should not be performed at close intervals. This is not normally a problem, because such assessments would normally be performed on six-monthly or annual basis. As an absolute minimum, a DISC profile should not be produced for the same person at closer intervals than three months. |