Breaking Free from Labels: How Behavioural Models Empower Growth Without Boxing You In
Many people express concern about behavioural models like Everything DiSC, INsights Discovery, DISC and DISA, fearing that they are being "put into boxes", siloed, or labelled.
This hesitation stems from a misunderstanding of the purpose and flexibility of such models.
Below, we explore why people feel cautious about these models and explain why this apprehension is often misplaced. Additionally, we’ll differentiate between popular models like Everything DiSC and Insights Discovery, which use colours for marketing purposes, and how they differ from the behavioural focus of the DISA model.
1. Fear of Being Labelled or Boxed In
Perception of Rigidity: One of the main concerns people have about behavioural models is the belief that they will be rigidly categorised into a single type, such as "Red" or "Blue," without room for complexity. This can lead to fears of being defined by one trait or having their behaviour limited to a narrow description.
Fear of Stereotyping: People often worry that these models will oversimplify their individuality, reducing them to a stereotype or caricature based on their primary behaviour. They might fear being seen only as “Dominant” or “Steadfast” without recognition of their multifaceted personality.
Resistance to Labels: Many people resist the idea of being labelled, especially in professional environments where they value their unique contributions. They worry that once they are identified as a certain behavioural type, they’ll be typecast and expected to always act a certain way, regardless of the situation.
2. The Truth: Behavioural Models Don’t Put You in a Box
Focus on Behaviour, Not Personality: Unlike personality tests, the DISA model and similar assessments focus on behaviour, which is flexible and adaptable. Behavioural models like DISA explain how someone tends to act in different situations but don’t claim to define their entire personality. A person can exhibit different behaviours depending on the context, and the model helps individuals understand their primary behavioural tendencies, not a fixed identity.
Recognition of Complexity: The model recognises that people are complex. While a person may primarily behave as a "Red" (Dominant), they may also display traits of other colours, such as "Blue" (Analytical), depending on the situation. The model is not about reducing a person to a single colour but offering insight into their dominant tendencies while acknowledging the broader range of behaviours they might exhibit.
Opportunity for Growth: Behavioural models are tools for self-awareness and improvement. Once individuals understand their primary behaviours, they can work on adapting their approach in different situations. For example, a "Red" (Dominant) person can learn to be more patient and empathetic in situations that require collaboration, while a "Green" (Steadfast) person might work on being more assertive when necessary.
3. How Everything DiSC Uses Colours as Marketing
DiSC vs. Colours: The Everything DiSC model focuses primarily on the DISC framework, which identifies behaviours as Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness (Compliance). While the model uses colours to visually represent each type (often Red for Dominance, Yellow for Influence, Green for Steadiness, and Blue for Compliance), the emphasis is still on the DISC framework itself.
Marketing Purpose: The use of colours in Everything DiSC is often a marketing tool designed to make the model more accessible and engaging for users. Colours provide an easy visual shorthand for understanding the different types of behaviour, but the model’s core remains centred around the DISC traits rather than the colours themselves.
No Box Mentality: Everything DiSC encourages individuals to see their behaviour as adaptable. The goal is not to box people into a single behavioural type but to provide a framework for understanding how they naturally tend to act in different situations. DiSC highlights the potential for behaviour change and growth through self-awareness.
4. How Insights Discovery Utilises Colours
Focus on DISC with Colour Integration: Insights Discovery builds on the traditional DISC framework but adds a focus on colour psychology to create a memorable and accessible system. They associate different DISC behaviours with colours (Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue), much like Everything DiSC, but focus on using these colours as helpful representations rather than strict labels.
Help Rather than Restriction: In Insights Discovery, the colours are designed to be helpful and serve as a visual tool to quickly understand how different behaviours interact. While someone may primarily identify with Red (Dominant), they aren’t locked into this behaviour; instead, they are encouraged to use other colours and adapt to different situations.
Dynamic Behaviour: Like the DISA model, Insights Discovery emphasises the dynamic nature of behaviour. People are encouraged to understand their dominant colour but also to flex their style when needed, depending on the context. It doesn’t pigeonhole individuals but helps them understand their behavioural preferences.
5. Why the Caution is Misplaced
Flexibility and Adaptability: Behavioural models like DISA, Everything DiSC, and Insights Discovery are flexible frameworks. They are designed to provide a foundation for understanding how someone behaves in certain situations, not a strict set of rules. Rather than boxing people in, these models help individuals see where their strengths lie and where they can improve their interactions.
A Starting Point, Not the End: These models are intended to be starting points for personal growth, not final definitions of who someone is. They offer insights that allow individuals to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and build better relationships by understanding both their own behaviour and the behaviour of others.
Holistic View: While each model identifies a person’s primary or most dominant behaviour, it also acknowledges that individuals are capable of displaying a variety of behaviours. No one is locked into being just a "Red" or a "Blue"; they can exhibit all colours depending on the situation.
6. Empowerment Through Self-Awareness
Personal and Professional Development: Once individuals understand their primary behavioural style, they can use this knowledge to adapt their approach in different contexts. For example, a primarily Blue (Analytical) individual can focus on improving their communication with a more spontaneous Yellow (Influential) colleague. Similarly, a Red (Dominant) individual can learn to slow down and consider others' perspectives when working with a Green (Steadfast) team member.
Improved Communication and Collaboration: Far from putting people in boxes, behavioural models empower individuals to understand their tendencies and communicate more effectively with others. By recognising behavioural differences, people can collaborate better and avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
The caution people feel about being labelled or put into boxes with behavioural models like DISA, Everything DiSC, and Insights Discovery is understandable but largely misplaced. These models are designed to provide self-awareness, not restrictions. By focusing on behaviour (which is adaptable) rather than personality (which is more fixed), these models offer valuable insights into how people tend to act and how they can grow. Colours are used as a marketing tool in some models to make the frameworks more accessible, but the underlying focus remains on behaviour, not limiting labels. When used correctly, these models help individuals and teams thrive by improving communication, collaboration, and self-understanding.