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DiSC Team Communication Style Test and Worksheet

👉 TL;DR

VIA Character Strengths and DiSC Personality Test are two distinct assessment tools. VIA focuses on identifying an individual's core character strengths to promote personal growth and well-being. DiSC examines four primary behavior styles (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness) to enhance communication and collaboration. Choosing between these tests depends on the desired outcomes and individual or organizational needs.

Looking for a test to understand your team's chemistry? Consider TeamDynamics instead.

Understanding one's personality is crucial for personal and professional growth. Various personality assessments are available to help individuals identify their unique strengths and preferences. In this blog post, we will compare two popular personality tests: VIA Character Strengths and DISC Personality Test. We will delve into their history, methodology, advantages, disadvantages, practical applications, and conclude with recommendations on which test might be right for you.

History of VIA Character Strengths and DiSC Personalty Test

VIA Character Strengths: Developed by Dr. Martin Seligman and Dr. Christopher Peterson, VIA Character Strengths is rooted in positive psychology, focusing on an individual's innate strengths and virtues. The goal is to help people identify their character strengths to lead more fulfilling lives.

DiSC Personalty Test: Created by psychologist Dr. William Marston in the 1920s, the DISC Personality Test is based on his theory of human behavior. The test has since been refined and is now widely used for personal growth, team development, and organizational success.

Comparing VIA Character Strengths and DiSC Personalty Test

The VIA Survey measures 24 character strengths grouped into six virtues (wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence). Individuals rate statements on a scale to determine their most dominant strengths.

In contrast, the DiSC assessment measures an individual's behavior across four primary dimensions: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). The test consists of a series of questions, with the results identifying a person's behavioral tendencies and preferences within these dimensions.

	VIA Character Strengths	DiSC Personality Test
Advantages	1. Focuses on positive aspects of personality 2. Encourages self-improvement and personal growth 3. Can be used in various settings, such as personal development, coaching, and education	1. Provides insights into communication styles and interpersonal interactions 2. Can be applied in various contexts, including personal growth, team development, and organizational success 3. Easy to understand and apply in real-life situations
Disadvantages	1. May not cover all aspects of personality 2. Limited focus on problem-solving and decision-making styles	1. Does not address character strengths or virtues 2. May not provide a comprehensive understanding of an individual's personality
Practical Applications	1. Personal growth and self-improvement 2. Coaching and therapy 3. Educational settings and character development	1. Personal development and self-awareness 2. Team building and effective communication 3. Leadership and management training

Additionally, despite how frequently both tests are administered in the workplace, neither of them is well-suited for understanding the nuances of group dynamics that sit at the heart of most modern, team-based work.

That’s why we built TeamDynamics. TeamDynamics helps you objectively assess, describe, and act on the unique ways in which your team interacts to accomplish its shared work. Put differently, TeamDynamics describes your team chemistry.

Put simply: If you're looking to understand your team's personality, there's a better choice: TeamDynamics.

Equipped with your TeamDynamics, you can take action to improve your group dynamics and performance:

Build your team by defining team culture and values, setting actionable team norms, and conducting high-impact team offsites;
Manage your team better by coaching team members, turbocharging cross-team collaboration, and resolving team conflicts;
Recruit and hire more effectively by honing your recruiting pitch, refining your interview process, and accelerating new hire onboarding;

And much more!

So Which is Right For You? VIA Character Strengths vs. DiSC Personality Test

Both VIA Character Strengths and DISC Personality Test offer unique insights into an individual's personality, strengths, and preferences. The choice between the two depends on your specific objectives and the context in which you plan to apply the insights.

If you're more interested in discovering your unique character strengths and virtues, with a focus on personal growth and self-improvement, VIA Character Strengths may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you want to understand your communication style, interpersonal interactions, and behavioral tendencies in personal and professional settings, the DISC Personality Test might be more suitable.

Wondering what your DiSC communication style is? Want to help your team learn about communicating with different DiSC styles? Check out our FREE downloadable DiSC resources!

And if you're looking to improve how your team works together, you might consider trying TeamDynamics. This assessment focuses on identifying individual strengths and preferences within a team context and aims to optimize team performance by leveraging each member's unique contributions. TeamDynamics can be a valuable tool for organizations and teams, as it fosters better communication, collaboration, and understanding among team members.

It's important to remember that no single personality assessment can capture the full complexity of human personality. Consider exploring multiple assessments to gain a more comprehensive understanding of your unique strengths and talents. By doing so, you can make better-informed decisions, improve your relationships, and lead a more fulfilling personal and professional life. In the end, the right personality test for you will depend on your specific goals, preferences, and the context in which you plan to apply the insights gained.

Frequently Asked Questions

??What is the VIA Character Strengths assessment and what does it measure???

The VIA Character Strengths assessment, developed by Dr. Martin Seligman and Dr. Christopher Peterson, is rooted in positive psychology. It measures 24 character strengths grouped into six core virtues: wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. The goal is to help individuals identify and leverage their innate strengths to enhance personal growth and lead more fulfilling lives.

??What is the DiSC Personality Test and what does it measure???

The DiSC Personality Test, initially created by psychologist Dr. William Marston, measures an individual's behavioral tendencies across four primary dimensions: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). It is widely used to improve self-awareness, communication styles, and interpersonal effectiveness in personal and professional environments.

??What are the main advantages of the VIA Character Strengths assessment???

The VIA survey focuses on the positive aspects of personality, encouraging self-improvement and personal development. It is versatile and can be applied in settings such as coaching, therapy, education, and personal growth initiatives.

??What are the key benefits of the DiSC Personality Test???

The DiSC Personality Test provides practical insights into communication styles and interpersonal interactions. It's easy to understand and use, making it a valuable tool for team development, leadership training, and organizational effectiveness.

??What are the primary disadvantages of VIA Character Strengths and DiSC tests???

VIA may not cover all facets of personality and offers limited insight into decision-making or problem-solving. DiSC, on the other hand, does not address character virtues and may not offer a comprehensive view of personality traits.

??How are the VIA and DiSC assessments different in terms of methodology???

VIA uses a scale-based questionnaire to identify dominant character strengths within six virtues. DiSC uses a behavioral questionnaire to categorize individuals into one or more of four main personality dimensions, focusing on how they interact with the world and people around them.

??Which personality test is better for personal growth???

For individuals focused on inner development and understanding their innate virtues, VIA Character Strengths is ideal. It highlights what makes you uniquely strong and can be used for self-improvement and emotional well-being.

??Which test is more effective for understanding communication styles and team dynamics???

The DiSC Personality Test is more effective for analyzing communication preferences and improving work-related interactions. It helps individuals and teams collaborate better by understanding different behavioral styles.

??Is there a better tool for understanding group dynamics than VIA or DiSC???

Yes, TeamDynamics is designed specifically to understand group dynamics by assessing how team members interact to achieve shared goals. While VIA and DiSC focus on individuals, TeamDynamics helps optimize team chemistry and performance by analyzing the collective behavior patterns of a team.

??How should I choose between VIA Character Strengths and DiSC Personality Test???

Choose VIA Character Strengths if your goal is self-discovery and identifying core virtues for personal growth. Opt for the DiSC Personality Test if you're seeking insights into your behavior, communication style, and how you interact with others in team or organizational settings. Consider using multiple assessments for a more holistic view of your personality.