Natural vs. Adapted DISC Graphs

Emily Johnson
DISC Assessments Expert | 15+ Years of Experience in DISC
19 Feb, 2024
Natural vs. Adapted DISC Graphs

DISC graphs play a key role in the DISC model, a widely used personality assessment tool in workplaces, schools, and personal development programs. With natural and adapted graphs, they visually showcase an individual's behavioral style from the DISC assessment. Let's dive into the intriguing contrasts between natural and adapted DISC graphs!

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Understanding Natural DISC Graphs

Natural DISC graphs are the original graph patterns produced by the assessment. These graphs show a person's natural style or preferred behavioral style in their environment. The results of the assessment will display a large dot for the highest-scoring traits and smaller dots for lower-scoring traits. This allows individuals to easily visualize their strengths and potential areas for growth.

Natural DISC profile is useful in understanding one's natural tendencies and behaviors. They can provide insight into how a person is likely to act, react, and communicate in different situations. This knowledge can be beneficial for personal development, team dynamics, and communication strategies.

However, it's essential to note that natural DISC graphs can be limiting and may not accurately reflect a person's full potential. They should not be used to label or stereotype individuals but rather to understand their natural tendencies and preferences.

What is DISC?

The 4 styles of DISC

How does it Work?

Understanding Adapted DISC Graphs

Adapted DISC graphs are an additional feature available in some versions of the assessment. These graphs show how a person has adapted their behavior over time in different environments. These adaptations may be due to various factors, such as job roles, relationships, or personal growth.

Adapted DISC graphs are useful in understanding how a person may behave and communicate differently in different environments. They can also help individuals identify areas where they have made deliberate changes in their behavior and where they may need to adapt further.

It's important to note that adapted DISC graphs should not be used to judge or criticize a person's natural tendencies. They serve as a tool for understanding and growth, rather than a way to categorize individuals.

Comparing Natural and Adapted DISC Graphs

The most significant difference between natural and adapted DISC graphs is the emphasis on potential growth. While natural graphs represent a person's current behavioral style, adapted graphs show their capacity to adapt and change over time.

Another contrast is that natural graphs tend to have larger dots for dominant traits, while adapted graphs may have more equally sized dots. This is because adapted graphs reflect a person's ability to flex and adapt their behavior, rather than just their natural tendencies.

Moreover, while natural graphs can provide insight into an individual's preferred behaviors, adapted graphs offer a more holistic view of how they may behave in various situations.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Here are some benefits and drawbacks of both natural and adapted DISC graphs:

Benefits

  • Natural DISC Graphs: Provide a clear and simple understanding of an individual's innate behavioral tendencies, which is invaluable for personal awareness and team composition. They can highlight areas of strength and potential growth, facilitating targeted personal development strategies.
  • Adapted DISC Graphs: Offer insights into a person's behavioral flexibility and their ability to adapt to different roles or environments. This can be beneficial for understanding role suitability, predicting team dynamics in varied scenarios, and planning for personal growth in areas of adaptability.

Drawbacks

  • Natural DISC Graphs: May oversimplify complex human behaviors and could potentially pigeonhole individuals into specific roles or traits, ignoring the dynamic nature of human personality and the potential for growth and change.
  • Adapted DISC Graphs: While they provide valuable insights into how a person adapts their behavior, they may sometimes not reflect an individual's core, unchanging traits. This can lead to a misunderstanding of a person's natural inclinations, especially if overemphasis is placed on adapted behaviors without considering the underlying natural tendencies.

Overall, both natural and adapted DISC graphs offer unique perspectives on an individual's behavioral style. However, the key lies in utilizing these tools in a balanced and informed manner, appreciating the insights they offer while recognizing their limitations.

Conclusion

Natural and adapted graph offer valuable insights into one's behavioral style and provide a framework for personal and professional development. While natural graph shows our preferred behaviors, adapted graphs depict how we have adapted our behavior in different environments. It's crucial to use these graphs as a tool for self-awareness and understanding, rather than a way to categorize or label people. By embracing both our natural and adapted behaviors, we can unlock our full potential and thrive in all aspects of life.

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