Interpreting Extended DISC Reports - Shifting Profiles

Written on the 30 April 2014 by EDA & Talent Tools

Shifting of Profiles tell us “how the person is feeling”.

With Extended DISC Profiles, the shape of the profile tells who the person is, and the position and size of the profile tells about how they are feeling at the time of completing the questionnaire.

This means that if you are dealing with a current "issue or circumstance" you need a current report. This also relates to the use of Profile I, as it is indicating the behaviour that they percevied they need/ed to demonstrate to the successful in the current (at the time of completing the questionnaire) role and environment.

As a rule of thumb:  If you are using the size, position of the profile/s, or if you are using Profile I you will need a current report.  If you are only using the shape of Profile II, then an older report is usually fine, as the shape of Profile II does not usually move out of their flexibility zone.

This information is often used as discussion openers that help the candidate open up and start talking about the feelings that are most disturbing in the present situation.

The special cases should never be used as a comprehensive psychological or psychiatric analysis, they are just topic hints that could well be worth discussing.

So, let’s consider the shifting of profiles.

The shifting of a profile is defined as the movement of the profile independent of changes in the order of the four basic types (D, I, S and C). The shifting can be upward or downward in either profile or in both profiles.

Two stages of shifting can be identified:

1. The centre point of the Profile clearly moving upward or downward
2. The whole Profile being above or below the middle line.

The first stage is less significant than the second stage when we talk about Overshift or Undershift. It should be noted however, that it is not technically possible to have descending or Undershift in Profile II.
 

Ascending Profile I / Overshift in Profile I

Key feeling: Helplessness.

Ascending of the profile indicates the feeling of constraint. The person feels constrained and acts at the limit of his or her abilities or in complete contrast to the natural traits to succeed in the demands of the environment. In the case of a type shifting above the middle line, the  explanation can typically be found in the matters relating to that behavioural type.

Ascending Profile II / Overshift in Profile II

Key feeling: Pressure.

The person is under a lot of pressure and might feel the pressures of the environment too much to handle. The consequences of failure are more fundamental than in the ascending of Profile I. Note that the Overshift in Profile II is also an invalid analysis result.
No results will be printed on the Diamond and it is not possible to print out any Personal Analysis Report.

Profile I / Undershift in Profile I

Key feeling: Moral Problems.

The descending of profiles reflects problems relating to oneself (for example, self-confidence). In extreme cases the person may have problems with self-motivation or in the understanding of right or wrong.

When the whole profile falls below the middle line (Undershift), it may indicate moral problems.

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