DISC for Church Leaders,
Ministry and Mission Teams
~ LifeandLeadership.com ~

Offered in Affiliation with Personality Insights
All DISC products, descriptions, and images on this page
©Personality Insights Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission

• Q and A with Dr. Carlus Gupton on Team-Building With DISC - Insights, Processes, Recommendations
• DISC Personality Profiles / Assessment Tools for Church Leaders and Ministry / Mission Teams
• Books on DISC for Church Leaders and Ministry / Mission Teams
• Flip-Charts on DISC for Church Leaders and Ministry / Mission Teams
• Audio / Video / DVD on DISC for Church Leaders and Ministry / Mission Teams
• Direct link to LifeandLeadership.com Online DISC Store

___________________________________________

Q and A with Dr. Carlus Gupton on Team Building With DISC - Insights, Processes, Recommendations

Question: What can DISC do for us as a team?
Answer: Several things. I'll list a few. First, DISC will help every team member understand his/her own behavior in relation to others. It provides an objective basis for discerning why one acts a certain way. Second, it helps teams affirm the strengths and refine the weaknesses of each member's relational patterns. Third, DISC helps everyone appreciate differences that may have been misunderstood previously. Without a tool like DISC, people may judge those who are different as behaving wrongly or inappropriately, when it may simply be a matter of how they are "wired." Fourth, it helps to clarify and emphasize the unique contribution of each person. Fifth, it helps create an environment where each can operate within his/her "sweet spot," making maximum contribution to team effectiveness. Sixth, it reduces conflicts by equipping team members to respond to others based on their style preferences.

Question: Is DISC the right tool for leadership / ministry / mission team building?
Answer: Yes, provided you understand DISC is focused on two dimensions of team-building - relationships and abilities, i.e. it helps improve relationships and provide clarity on the abilities (or potential liabilities) of your team members. Other dimensions of team functioning - spirituality, mission, theology, and structure are not addressed by DISC profiles and exercises. But for the relational and abilities dimensions, few profiles are more perfectly suited than DISC.

*back to top

Question: Why is DISC so well-suited to the relational and abilities dimensions of team-building over against other tools?
Answer: Several reasons. First, the Personality Insights version of DISC is a scientifically validated instrument. You can trust it as an accurate measure of one's behavior in a given context. I use it with confidence in academic settings where validity is important. Second, DISC is user-friendly. While I highly recommend using a trained facilitator to administer, interpret, and explain the DISC model, this is not always feasible, especially in mission contexts. Unlike some tools that are very complex, DISC is accessible to any team that is willing to complete the profile and then listen to a few CD/DVD presenations or read a few books. Third, DISC is understandable and memorable, especially in comparison to other popular team-building tools such as Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Firo-B, FIRO-F, Birkman, etc. Each of these instruments and others like them are outstanding, but they have the added frustration of being virtually useless without the help of a qualified consultant. Also, ask the average person who took the Myers-Briggs a few years ago to name their psychological type and explain it in Jungian terms. They may muddle through a list of initials that closely resembles their type, but stumble when describing the difference between extrovert vs. introvert and intuitive vs. sensate. My experience with DISC, however, is that people identify with the model very easily and usually remember their style for years to come.

*back to top

Question: We are having a lot of problems as a group that have motivated us to do team building. Is DISC the right tool for us at this stage?
Answer: Maybe. Maybe not. DISC strengthens relationships, helps people understand why they differ with some and get along with others, and gives tools for dealing more effectively with people. That's the purpose. Whether DISC is the right tool at this stage of your team development depends on two factors: 1) the intensity of your conflicts, and 2) the expectations you bring to your team-building event. It is important to have realistic expectations about what DISC can and cannot accomplish. For example, if your team is in intense conflict, you may need mediation or conflict coaching like that facilitated by Peacemaker Ministries (featured in the Conflict Resource Room) before using DISC. Sometimes teams need honest soul-searching to restore biblical peace-making principles and practice confession, repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation before anything else. Without this, there may be too much internal "noise" inside team members that limits the benefit of something like DISC. Once biblical-peacemaking is done, however, it provides a more productive climate for DISC to have its effect. In fact, DISC may help to explain how the conflict became so intense and provide helpful tools for keeping it from happening again. Also, read above about What can DISC to for us as a team?

*back to top

Question: We don't have any serious problems working / relating as a team, but we do like to conduct periodic leadership development (e.g. in retreats). Can DISC help in such cases?
Answer: Absolutely. In fact, this is probably the best situation one can have. DISC will help to make your good relationships even better.

Question: We just appointed several new leaders, can DISC help us work together more effectively?
Answer: Yes. Shifts in the make-up of a leadership team provide a ripe opportunity for using DISC to enhance your effectiveness.

*back to top

Question: If we want to use DISC, what's the best way to go about it?
Answer: The best method is to bring a Certified Human Behavior Consultant to administer, interpret, explain, and apply the DISC to your situation. I conduct these trainings, as do several others. But like I mentioned above, this is not always feasible. If cost or availability prohibits this, here is a simple sequence that would constitute an excellent weekend retreat or seven-eight small group sessions.

1. Each person take the profile. For team building, I recommend the DISCovery Report Online, Full Adult Version listed below. This not only gives you the most complete description, it also allows you to use some of the online team-building functions at Discoveryreport.com with the alpha-numeric code provided.
2. Compile copies of each team members' profiles into a loose-leaf notebook, and get everyone together as a group.
3. In your group, start with a brief introduction to DISC by generating discussion from the information on pages 41-44 in the Appendix of the DISCovery Report. These pages cover "Understanding DISC Types and Your Personality Style," each team member's "Personality Graph," and "Understanding Your Graph." Do the same thing with pages 5-7. Do not spend too long on this exercise. Limit your time to no more than 30 minutes per person, to include, if possible, each person sharing their graphs with the rest of the group. The purpose at this stage is simply to share each person's resuls and set the stage for more detailed interpretive information to come.
4. Listen to and discuss one of the audio or video presentations from the list below that explains the DISC model. Each of these presentations is excellent, but I recommend beginning with How to Understand Yourself and Others DVD or VHS version, along with the Funbook. While you are listening, encourage each team member to jot down a few notes on related pages of their DISCovery Report.
5. Appoint one from the team to facilitate a few group discussion exercises that allow team members to understand and appreciate each other's strengths. No need to be the world's greatest facilitator here. Perhaps start with something as simple as each team member giving a 15-minute presentation on themselves, highlighting various pages of the DISCovery Report, commenting on "this really is me," or "I'm not sure I totally agree with this part." Follow that up by every other team member providing brief feedback with discussion stems like, "Here's where DISC helped me learn something about you that I did not know before...", or "Here's where DISC has helped me to deepen my appreciation for you...".
6. Watch the movie, Peter and Paul (DVD version is best, especially chapters 15-18). Though obviously not filmed with DISC in mind, it is still an excellent example of how God used Paul (D/C), Peter (I/D), Barnabas (S/I), and James (C/S), and how they related to one another and the church. Keep in mind two things, 1) there is a little "Hollywood vs. History" in the movie (i.e. it does not always follow the biblical sequence or perspective on the events), but that does not detract from its overall value for team-building; 2) not all the behavior revealed in the movie is "controlled," but it is still quite realistic. After the viewing, openly discuss your observations.
7. If you have a computer available at your team-building event, become familiar with the tools on Discoveryreport.com. Using the alpha-numeric codes printed on the cover page of each DISCovery Report, go to the site, click "Tools," and experiment with the "Relationship Feedback" and "Team Graph," options. They are quite helfpul. Have some fun as a group by entering different team member's codes in the "Relationship Feedback" section. Discoveryreport.com can be a very useful tool for helping the team derive continual benefit from the DISC exercise.
8. Each person prepare and present a reflection piece, "I will use my learnings from DISC to capitalize on these strengths and be more mindful of these potential liabilities..." and then, "I will use my learnings from DISC to improve my relationship with team member (fill in the blank with each team member's name) in the following ways..." (if your team is too large for everyone to do this, replace team member with those with 'D' style, those with 'I' style, etc.)
9. Expand your knowledge of DISC with the informative books Positive Personality Profiles and Who Do You Think You Are Anyway. It would not hurt for every person to read one or both of these books, and have discussion. At the very least, appoint one of your team members to craft a presentation to the group that distills key insights from the book(s) as they apply to your team.

All DISC products purchased through LifeandLeadership.com Online Store
receive a 10% discount! (discount reflected at checkout)

*back to top
*back to DISC Overview page on LifeandLeadership.com
*jump to LifeandLeadership.com DISC In-Depth Resource Guides for adults, parents, teachers, children, teens, or churches.
*direct link to LifeandLeadership.com Online DISC Store Front

___________________________________________

DISC Personality Profiles / Assessment Tools for Church Leaders and Ministry / Mission Teams

DISCovery Report Online, Full Adult Version (In-Depth, Updated, 40+ Pages) - The Discovery Report is Personality Insights' most comprehensive personality assessment product. This is the standard adult profile version. You will receive a 48-page computer-generated report (sent to you by email) that is highly accurate and easy-to-understand. The Discovery Report is based on the results of an online personality assessment that will take you only about 15-20 minutes to complete. It is packed full of helpful and practical information to help you to understand yourself and how to adapt to relate better to others. This is Personality Insights' best selling product. It is very helpful for business and personal use. You will learn about your strengths, communication style, decision-making style and gain insights for improving your ability to relate to others. The alpha-numeric code you receive with this report will allow you to use the tools at Discoveryreport.com such as "Relationship Feedback" and "Team Graph."

DISCovery Report Online, Mini Adult Version (3 pages) - This is an online personality assessment for adults that generates a 4-page report. It is a popular cost-effective version. Your report is customized based on your online assessment that will take you only about 15-20 minutes to complete. Concise, yet very helpful insights, and also provides an alphanumeric code to use at Discoveryreport.com. Please note this is a very short report, and groups interested in team building may be disappointed with its brevity. Use this only if cost prohibits you from completing the full version above. If you complete the mini-report, you do have the option of upgrading to the Full Adult Report for the difference in price. See the product below for details on the upgrade code offer.

DISCovery Report Online Upgrade - Mini to Full Report (Upgrade a previously completed Mini Adult Version to complete 40+ page version) - Discovery Report upgrade for anyone who already has a 4-page report and would like to upgrade to get the complete adult version. Upgrading uses the same results from your original assessment. In other words, you do not have to take the assessment again. The online system will use your original data to generate the new report.

Independent Business Owner (IBO) DISCovery Report Online (Same as Full Adult Version with sections tailored for business owners) - The IBO Discovery Report is for "Independent Business Owners." This personality report is very similar to our standard Adult Discovery Report, however several sections of the report have been tailored for business owners and those who work in a dynamic environment. You will receive a 40+ page computer generated report (downloaded file) that is highly accurate and easy-to-understand. The Discovery Report is based on the results of an online personality assessment that will take you only about 15-20 minutes to complete. The IBO version has special sections covering strengths, tips for applying your personality style to building a business, tips on long-term success, maximum performance, communication, contacting, promotion (leadership) tips, presentation skills and decision making preferences. This version is suited for those who are involved in sales or motivating others.

Independent Business Owner (IBO) DISCovery Report Online, Spanish Version - This is the same profile as described above, but in Spanish.

All DISC products purchased through LifeandLeadership.com Online Store
receive a 10% discount! (discount reflected at checkout)

*back to top
*back to DISC Overview page on LifeandLeadership.com
*jump to LifeandLeadership.com DISC In-Depth Resource Guides for adults, parents, teachers, children, teens, or churches.
*direct link to LifeandLeadership.com Online DISC Store Front

___________________________________________

Books on DISC for Church Leaders and Ministry / Mission Teams

Positive Personality Profiles - Overview of DISC, by Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D. - *** Personality Insights' most popular book *** This book gives a basic overview of D-I-S-C behavioral styles. Fun to read but not overly simplistic. Not as in-depth as Who Do You Think You Are Anyway? listed below, but a great place to start for an individual, group, or class that wants to understand the DISC model. It discusses identifying different traits and behavioral preferences for each style. It provides a foundation for understanding the DISC approach to human behavior. Positive Personality Profiles is written to give clear understanding on gifts, talents and effectiveness based on personality style. I have used this for several years as the introductory text to DISC in one of my college classes.

Who Do You Think You Are Anyway? DISC Personality Blends and Combinations, by Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D. - Each of us has been born with certain gifts, and we have acquired other skills to help us through life. But no one has it all. The good news is that we can learn whatever skills we are lacking for success with others. This book will show you how you can grow to become all you were meant to be and how to adapt and adjust your personality style to become a more effective servant and leader. This book is more in-depth than Positive Personality Profiles, covering personality blends (utilizing of all 4 personality styles to a greater or lesser degree) and interaction with other styles (combinations), how to manage & encourage people based on needs for results personally and in your career. Illustrates 29 personality blends. Topics include value, ideal environment, under pressure, motivation, and areas for improvement.

Understanding How Others Misunderstand You: A Unique and Proven Plan for Strengthening Personal Relationships, by Ken Voges and Ron Braund - This is an excellent tool for Bible classes and small groups to benefit from DISC. Provides background on DISC and gifts of each personality type. Based on a slightly different version of DISC than Personality Insights. To minimize confusion in the team-building process, I recommend this only as a supplement to Positive Personality Profiles and Who Do You Think You Are Anyway? Still, this volume is quite helpful. Identifies methods to help resolve conflicts and misconceptions. Uses Biblical characters to illustrate personality types and their effectiveness when "in control" and their deficiencies when "out of control." Provides in-depth understanding of behavior styles, how to recognize traits and identify strengths of individuals, overcoming weaknesses, and hindrances to growth and developing to one's full potential.

All DISC products purchased through LifeandLeadership.com Online Store
receive a 10% discount! (discount reflected at checkout)

*back to top
*back to DISC Overview page on LifeandLeadership.com
*jump to LifeandLeadership.com DISC In-Depth Resource Guides for adults, parents, teachers, children, teens, or churches.
*direct link to LifeandLeadership.com Online DISC Store Front

___________________________________________

Flip-Charts on DISC for Church Leaders and Ministry / Mission Teams

Guide to Effectively Reading People - This is a tremendous set of 2 flip charts that will help you to be able to effectively read people and their behavioral tendencies. Includes clues to: Verbal or Vocal Tones, Conversation or Speech Patterns, Outward Visual Body Language, Clues at the Office/Workplace, Response under pressure, and Approach to tasks.

Flip-Chart (E-Z Reference DISC Flip Chart) - Keep this simplified, two-sided, laminated E-Z reference DISC Flip Chart on the top of your desk, in a drawer near-by, or in your planner or notebook to focus on the traits of other styles. Covers "Basic Motivation," "Environment Needs," "Responds Best To A Leader Who," "Needs To Learn That."

Flip-Chart / Pocket Size (E-Z Reference DISC Chart) - Get the same great information that the full-size flip chart presents, but get it on a laminated card that is the size of a credit card. These make great little gifts to hand out with your business card.

Flip-Chart / Pocket Size (E-Z Reference DISC Chart) - Spanish Version - The same information as in the full version Flip-Chart, but wallet-sized and in Spanish.

All DISC products purchased through LifeandLeadership.com Online Store
receive a 10% discount! (discount reflected at checkout)

*back to top
*back to DISC Overview page on LifeandLeadership.com
*jump to LifeandLeadership.com DISC In-Depth Resource Guides for adults, parents, teachers, children, teens, or churches.
*direct link to LifeandLeadership.com Online DISC Store Front

___________________________________________

Audio / Video / DVD on DISC for Church Leaders and Ministry / Mission Teams

Personalities Audio CDs, by Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D. - 2-Disk Set! One of The most FUN presentations ever for understanding personality types. This inspiring presentation helps people understand personalities in a whole new and insightful way. Dr. Rohm's stories will keep you laughing for hours while you learn helpful insights.

Personalities Interactive / Multi Media CD (not DVD), by Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D. - One of THE most FUN Multi-media presentations ever done for the computer. Not only is it fun watching Dr. Rohm, the presentation is interactive as well. This is NOT a DVD. It is a CD that plays video on your personal computer.

DISCovering God at Work in Our Personalities: DISC Model and Biblical Characters Audio CD, by Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D. - Overview of the DISC model using Biblical characters, and showing how God used them to influence the world. Helpful for individuals to understand themselves and others, while working on having better relationships and better teams, see how "under control" effective people can be.

Blessings and Cursings of Personalities Audio CD, by Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D. - This eye-opening CD, presented by Dr. Robert A. Rohm, teaches truths that will revolutionize the way people look and relate to life. He walks you through the blessings (principles for success) of each personality style by explaining the natural strengths and abilities of each one. He then highlights the curses (potential failures) and gives practical information required to remove potential pitfalls, stumbling blocks and blind spot areas in each style.

How To Understand Yourself and Others - 2 DVD Set, Designed for Use with Fun Book, by Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D. - You will enjoy this video set of "The Personality Insights Seminar" which is a high-energy, informational, fun-filled set of 6 sessions (3 on each DVD) designed to help you understand yourself and others better! It is packed with lots of "how to" applications and loads of humor. When we learn to identify specific temperament types, we can discover people's motivational drives and how to interact more effectively. Learn more about what makes you and other people "tick". Designed to be used with the Funbook.

DVD Personality Guide Insert for How to Understand Yourself and Others DVD Set, by Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D. - A helfpul guide, though not to replace the Funbook that should be purchased along with the DVD or VHs series.

How To Understand Yourself and Others - 2 Tape Series, VHS Version, Designed for Use with Fun Book, by Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D. - Overview of the DISC model using Conference Funbook. Contains six 30-minute sessions with Dr. Rohm presenting. This presentation is designed for individuals to understand themselves and others while working on having better relationships and better teams. Content identical to the DVD version above.

How To Understand Yourself and Others - 2 Tape Series, VHS Version, Designed for Use with Fun Book (PAL Version - Europe), by Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D. - Same as above, but in PAL format for use in Europe.

Conference Funbook, Brief Guide to DISC Personality Style (Designed for use with "How To Understand Yourself and Others" VHS/DVD Series," by Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D. - This small power-packed book gives all the vital information about DISC in an easy to understand format and handy fill-in-the-blank spaces. It takes each of the four personality styles and gives information and occupations about each. Designed to be used with DVD/VHS series, "How to Understand Yourself and Others" described above.

DVD Fun Pack for Small Group (2 DVD Set, 8 Interactive DVD Guide Booklets, 8 Mini Personality Charts - wallet-sized, laminated, 8 pencils), by Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D. - Looking for a Fun Evening? Laugh and learn as you hear all about yourself! Hear hilarious stories and be inspired as you learn how to "understand yourself and others." Perfect for families, friends or any small group to watch together. This DVD video set features foremost personality expert, Dr. Robert Rohm. Your Fun Pack will have everything you need for 8 people to participate in an interactive, fun-filled evening. The pack includes: DVD set (includes 2 disks), 8 interactive DVD Guides (booklets), 8 mini personality charts (laminated, wallet size), PLUS ... 8 pencils (you will need these!). Note: popcorn not included, but highly recommended!

Peter and Paul - Complete DVD of Epic TV Miniseries - This is a high quality, dramatic depiction of the story of the early spread of the Gospel through two powerful servants, the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter. Though obviously not filmed with DISC in mind, it is nonetheless an excellent example of how God uses Paul (D/C), Peter (I/D), Barnabas (S/I), and James (C/S), and how they relate to each other and the church (especially in chapters 15-18 of the DVD). Presents a very realistic picture of the strengths and weaknesses of various types, and provides a hopeful vision of how God can and does use people of all types. Perfect for ministry team building when used alongside DISC training.

Peter and Paul - Complete VHS of Epic TV MiniSeries (2 VHS Tapes) - The same movie as on the DVD above, but in VHS format.

All DISC products purchased through LifeandLeadership.com Online Store
receive a 10% discount! (discount reflected at checkout)

*back to top
*back to DISC Overview page on LifeandLeadership.com
*jump to LifeandLeadership.com DISC In-Depth Resource Guides for adults, parents, teachers, children, teens, or churches.
*direct link to LifeandLeadership.com Online DISC Store Front

___________________________________________

All DISC products, descriptions, and images ©Personality Insights Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Used by permission, Dr. Carlus Gupton, Certified Human Behavior Consultant,
Specialist in Human Behavior Consulting