The General Characteristics Report provides an in-depth interpretation of a respondent's DiSC^® Personal Profile System profile.  It can be used to train and coach respondents in specific application areas, to focus respondents' attention on particular areas of behavior, and to provide DiSC Classic users with a next step in behavioral understanding.  The General Characteristics Report is the required basis for DiSC Personal Profile System Supplemental and Comparison Reports.
 

The 15-page General Characteristics Report includes the following sections:

Behavioral Highlights
The first section identifies the respondent's Classical Profile Pattern, which is a representation of his or her DiSC scores.  In addition to displaying the respondent's range along the DiSC scale, this page lists the common behavioral strengths of individuals who have this behavioral pattern.

Personal Profile System® Graphs
Next, the respondent is introduced to the DiSC graph, commonly known as Graph III.  This page also offers brief definitions of the four DiSC styles so that the respondent can see how they differ from one another.  An optional page showing Graphs I and II can be included.

Behavioral Overview
This section presents a narrative description of the respondent's behavioral style. The narrative explains what factors influence the respondent and how he or she tends to behave.  The respondent's goals and communication methods are clearly explained, while the strengths and limitations of his or her style are also highlighted.

The next several pages of the General Characteristics Report dig deeper into specific aspects of the respondent's behavioral tendencies, including the following:

Motivating Factors
Preferred Environment
Tends to Avoid
Strategies for Increased Effectiveness
De-motivating Factors
Behavior in Conflict Situations
 

Behavioral Tendency Continuum
The Behavioral Tendency Continuum displays the respondent's potential range of intensity for each of the 32 behaviors listed.

Performance Management Worksheet
The final two pages in the report offer a series of questions that help the respondent devise an action plan.  The worksheet's goal is to get the respondent thinking about ways in which to turn the report's insights into real-world applications.

Strategies for Creating a Positive Relationship-Supplement/Add On Report

The Strategies for Creating a Positive Relationship report is one of several DiSC® Personal Profile System supplemental reports.  This report describes how to establish a relationship with the respondent that is based upon trust and mutual respect.  The eight-page Strategies for Creating a Positive Relationship report addresses how to create a positive environment in which the respondent can thrive.  In addition, it identifies specific communication approaches that are most likely to be effective with this person.  These tips address the subtleties of interactions, the diversity of communication styles, and common misunderstandings that arise.

The report also discusses how to compliment, give feedback to, and minimize conflict with the respondent.

The complexities of personal style are also examined.  Specific strategies are listed for keeping the respondent's problem-solving and decision-making styles from leading to difficulties with peers.  This report concludes with a worksheet to help form an action plan.

Relating to People and the Environment-Supplement/Add On Report

The Relating to People and the Environment report is one of several DiSC® Personal Profile System Supplemental Reports.  This report explains how the respondent interacts with peers and interprets his or her environment.  This seven-page report analyzes the respondent's communication methods using clear examples of the emotional content and tactical nuances that he or she may employ.  Then the report highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the person's decision-making style.  In addition, this report describes his or her time-management skills. These guidelines help to identify the limitations and challenges that hinder effective prioritization.

The Relating to People and Environment report also identifies problem-solving strategies that may help the respondent improve his or her effectiveness.  Finally, it analyzes the person's reaction to stress.  The tips listed should help develop coping and stress-reduction strategies to increase efficiency.  The report concludes with a worksheet that can be used to develop an action plan.

Strategies for Managing-Supplement/Add On Report

The Strategies for Managing report is one of several DiSC® Personal Profile System Supplemental Reports. This report looks at ways in which people can most effectively manage the respondent.  The definition of "manager" is broad in this report, referring to anyone who needs to work with the person to get results.  The first section of the six-page Strategies for Managing report gives specific suggestions for developing this person. Next, motivations are addressed.  This report provides a list of actions that are most likely to have a positive effect on the respondent's drive and level of enthusiasm.  The best techniques for complimenting and counseling this person are also included.

This report then examines the respondent's problem-solving techniques.  These guidelines specify what methods tend to work when dealing with the respondent's approach to resolving issues.  Additional tips tackle the complexities of correcting or delegating to this person.  The respondent's decision-making style is also a key component of this report.  Examples are given of possible ways to recognize and value differences in making judgments.

Finally, the report addresses the more general question of how to communicate with this person.  It concludes with a worksheet to help form an action plan.

Approach to Managing Others-Supplement/Add On Report

The Approach to Managing Others report is one of several DiSC® Personal Profile System Supplemental Reports.  This report analyzes the respondent's management style and behavior toward subordinates. Leadership styles can vary greatly, so this report helps identify the tendencies and habits of someone with this style who is in a position of authority.  Among the topics that this six-page report examines are the respondent's communication techniques and delegating skills.  The potential benefits and limitations of the respondent's style in these key areas are analyzed.  How the respondent directs and develops people is also a focus of this report.
The respondent's approach to making decisions is discussed next.  Then the report looks at how the respondent manages time.  These tips help the respondent understand the importance of prioritization and the consequences of procrastination.

The strengths and weaknesses of the respondent's problem-solving techniques and how he or she motivates others are other aspects of this report.  It ends with an action-planning worksheet that can be used to help develop further strengths in this area.

Strategies for Sales Management-Supplement/Add On Report

The Strategies for Sales Management report is one of several DiSC® Personal Profile System Supplemental Reports.  This report examines the methods that people can best use to manage the respondent in a sales environment.  The demands of a sales culture require different managerial approaches for different people, and this report identifies the key strategies that can help the respondent reach his or her full potential in this setting.  Among the topics that this seven-page report examines are the respondent's development needs.  These guidelines specify how to give him or her adequate amounts of direction, support, and information.  Additionally, this report examines the optimal methods of motivating and giving recognition to the respondent, increasing the odds that he or she will react positively to management efforts.

Information on how to coach and counsel this person can help a manager work with the respondent more effectively during times of crisis.  In addition, identifying his or her communication style and problem-solving techniques within a sales context helps ensure that the manager and respondent are on the same page.

The next section discusses the person's delegating habits, along with his or her decision-making behavior.  The report concludes with a worksheet to help form an action plan.

Approach to Selling-Supplement/Add On Report

The Approach to Selling report is one of several DiSC® Personal Profile System Supplemental Reports.  This report describes how the respondent performs essential steps in the sales process.  In addition to analyzing this person's behavior in these areas, this report lists what types of customers will usually react positively to his or her approach. First, the seven-page Approach to Selling report examines the respondent's planning technique. Preparation is often crucial for a successful sales call, and this report lays out the behaviors that are most or least likely to help in the process.  Next, because a client's initial impression can have a huge effect on whether a sale is completed, the respondent's style of opening the call is addressed.

The person's interviewing and presenting methods are also discussed in this report.  Strengths or weaknesses can be magnified in a sales environment, so this report explains how his or her behavior affects these related steps in the process.  Responding to concerns is also a key component of this report, as is the respondent's manner of gaining commitment.  These topics are placed in the context of the person's behavior, so a clear picture of potential benefits or limitations emerges.