Does your behavioural style change over time?

There are two Profiles shown in the Extended DISC Personal Analysis Report and we are often asked whether these can change, and if so, to what extent.

Profile I demonstrates the individual’s conscious understanding of themselves and his/her understanding of their behaviour in the present situation at the time the questionnaire is completed.
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Profile II illustrates a person’s natural response to an external stimulus. It is the behavioural style that takes the least energy and effort, requires the least amount of concentration and is usually the most pleasant to the individual. It illustrates the reaction mode that the person uses to naturally react and is most frequently exhibited outwardly in their behaviour.
Consultants trained in Extended DISC methodolgy look at the shape, size and position of the profiles on the Extended DISC graph to correctly interpret the reports. By using Profile II, it is possible to define action and thinking models of a person’s natural behavioural style.

Profile II is the most accurate and lasting illustration of a person’s natural behaviour. Any significant and large changes usually mean significant events and changes in the immediate environment of the individual that is forcing him or her to seek new ways to succeed.

Profile I is always compared to Profile II. Any potential disturbances during answering the questionnaire as well as the individual’s desire to respond against the true answers, will be reflected in Profile I.
We would define “significant differences” in Profile II as:

A change in the shape of the Profile
Shifting of a style (D, I, S, or C) over the middle line
A change in the dominating style (D, I, S, or C)
Other significant changes in the Profile

When a trait is descending in Profile I (when compared to Profile II) it is a sign of the person feeling that the present environment doesn’t fully provide then with those aspects that motivate them most.

When a trait is ascending in Profile I (when compared to Profile II), it is a sign of the person expressing a feeling that in order to better cope with the requirements of the present environment, this behaviour needs to be emphasised.

Profile II, sometimes explained as the internal profile, seldom changes significantly and when it does move, it is generally within a small margin, and within the "flexibility zone". Maybe a DI type mix will change to ID or an IS to a SI but we seldom see changes in Profile II, even over a long period.

The three sets of profiles shown opposite were produced for an individual over a six year period. The first one was generated on 19th May 2005, the second on 6 November 2007 and the third one produced on 11th October 2011. In this case, Profile I has also remained the same which is somewhat unsusual but this person has remained in a role that has provided him with the challenges that suit his behavioural style.

We have other examples of reports being generated over a lengthy period reflecting little change. In particular we have one that was produced as far back at 1996 with a recent report for the same person being generated recently and there was absolutely no change in Profile II. In this case Profile I had changed from a strong ISC to 100% I and this is simply because the individual’s role changed significantly.

To summarise, Profile II seldom changes dramatically and if it does change, it means that the individual has had to confront significant events or challenges that might even be forcing themselves to seek new ways to succeed.

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