How DISC Can Help-and Where It Can’t-in Hiring Great People
Hiring new team members isn’t just about filling a seat. You want people who fit your culture, work well with others, and help your organization grow. If you’ve heard about the DISC assessment, you might wonder if it could make your next hire easier or smarter. The answer is yes-and no. Here’s what you really need to know about what DISC can and can’t tell you during hiring.
DISC Basics: What It Actually Measures
The DISC assessment is a popular tool that helps you understand people’s behavioral styles. It focuses on how someone approaches tasks, communicates, and responds to challenges. The four main DISC styles are:
- D (Dominance): Direct, results-focused, enjoys solving problems quickly
- I (Influence): Social, enthusiastic, likes building relationships
- S (Steadiness): Patient, reliable, values teamwork and stability
- C (Conscientiousness): Analytical, detail-oriented, likes clear rules and structure
Knowing your own style-and the styles of others-can help you communicate and work together more smoothly. But for hiring, it’s important to know what DISC reveals and what it doesn’t.
Takeaway: Use DISC to understand work style and communication, not technical skill or experience.
DISC in Hiring: Where It Shines
In hiring, DISC is most helpful for:
- Understanding fit: You can see how a candidate’s style might mesh with your team or manager.
- Improving interviews: Knowing someone’s style can help you tailor your questions and build better rapport during interviews.
- Planning onboarding: Once hired, you can use DISC results to welcome and support new employees in a way that matches their style.
For example, if your team is mostly steady and detail-focused, adding someone with strong influence traits can bring fresh energy and new ideas. Or, if you’re building a sales team, knowing who is naturally outgoing and persuasive can help you place people in the right roles.
Tip: Use DISC as one piece of the puzzle-not the final word-when making hiring decisions.
What DISC Won’t Tell You
While DISC is great for understanding behavior, it won’t tell you:
- Whether someone has the right technical skills or job knowledge
- If a candidate shares your company’s core values
- How they’ll handle complex, real-world challenges
- Their experience, education, or past performance
It’s also important to remember that behavioral style is not the same as job fit or potential. Two people with the same DISC profile could perform very differently based on their motivation, background, or work ethic.
Next Step: Always combine DISC with interviews, references, and skills assessments.
DISC Training for Your Hiring Team
If you’re serious about building a strong, cohesive team, DISC training can help your managers and hiring professionals:
- Read and interpret DISC profiles with confidence
- Spot complementary styles for better team balance
- Improve their own communication during interviews
- Avoid bias by seeing beyond personality
DISC workshops and training sessions often include real scenarios, role play, and practical exercises-so you and your team get hands-on skills, not just theory.
Actionable Tip: Schedule a DISC workshop before your next big hiring push to align your team.
Traveling for DISC Training or Interviews?
If your organization is based in Apple Valley, you’re probably looking for practical solutions nearby. Whether you’re driving in from Victorville, Hesperia, Adelanto, Barstow, or Big Bear City, you have options for in-person DISC training, workshops, and professional development. These sessions can be tailored for your team, whether you’re meeting at your office or a local event space.
Consider making your next round of interviews or hiring team strategy sessions a little more productive by adding a DISC assessment or workshop to your schedule. You might find it’s well worth the drive, especially if you want to boost your team’s communication and hiring skills.
Quick Tip: Check availability for upcoming DISC workshops in your area, and bring your hiring team together for a session-they’ll thank you later.
Key Takeaways for Your Next Hire
- Use the DISC assessment to improve communication and team fit during hiring, but don’t rely on it for skills or values.
- Train your hiring team on DISC to make better, more objective decisions.
- Combine DISC with interviews, references, and job-related assessments for a well-rounded view of each candidate.
- Explore DISC workshops close to Apple Valley-especially if you’re coming from Victorville, Hesperia, Adelanto, Barstow, or Big Bear City.
For professionals and leaders serious about hiring smarter, DISC is a practical tool-but only when used alongside your best judgment and other hiring practices.