When comparing the enneagram system vs. the DISC system, it is essential to consider each system’s advantages and disadvantages. Doing so can help you determine which system best suits your needs.
In this article, we’ll compare the enneagram system vs. the DISC system, helping you decide which one might better fit you and your organization.
Knowing how these two tests compare and contrast can help you make an informed decision about which system might be suitable for your needs.
Systems Compared: The 9 vs 4 Type
The Enneagram is a system consisting of nine distinct types of personalities, each with unique characteristics. It focuses on internal traits, such as motivations and fears, and external traits, such as how the individual interacts with others.
The nine types are divided into three groups: Heart, Head type, and body. Each class has two wings that help determine how the individual will respond in different situations.
The DISC system is slightly different from the Enneagram in that it includes only four personality types: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Compliance (C). Each type has particular strengths and weaknesses, which can be identified through assessments.
These four types represent an individual’s behavior in different situations or environments. For example, the D type is more aggressive, while the S type is more passive.
When deciding between the Enneagram and DISC systems, you must consider the insights you’re looking for from both tests. The Enneagram focuses on one’s intrinsic qualities and motivations, while the DISC system looks at how someone behaves in different situations.
Depending on what you’re trying to learn about an individual or group, either method could be a better fit. It is also important to note that neither approach should be used to label people; instead, it should be used to understand personality types better so one can adapt their behavior according to whatever situation they find themselves in.
Compared to HIGH5
The HIGH5 test is an assessment that combines the best aspects of both the Enneagram and DISC systems. This approach provides a comprehensive view of personality types by integrating both systems, allowing for a broader understanding and more accurate results.
Combining these two approaches allows you to gain valuable insights into how people think and act in different situations. With the HIGH5 test, you can better understand individuals and teams and better develop strategies for team growth and success.
Categories and Structure: 4 Domains vs Dominant & Secondaries
The Enneagram system is based on nine distinct types divided into three categories: Heart, Head, and Body. Each class has two wings, the Dominant and Secondary, influencing how the individual will react in various situations.
The Dominant wing is the most visible trait of the individual’s personality, whereas the Secondary branch is less noticeable but still affects how they respond to their environment.
The DISC system employs a four-type model which divides individuals into four categories.
Unlike the Enneagram system, these four types represent an individual’s behavior within a particular situation or environment rather than their intrinsic traits. DISC can help you understand how someone may behave in different positions and make better decisions about how to approach them.
Both systems use domains as their basic building blocks in terms of structure. For example, with Enneagram, each domain is represented by one of its nine types, while with DISC, it breaks down into four personality types.
Both systems examine dominant traits versus secondary qualities that influence behavioral responses in different contexts. Understanding what each domain looks like can help you determine which method suits your needs.
Compared to HIGH5
When considering this information and comparing it to the HIGH5 test, it is easy to see why the latter combines the best of both the Enneagram and DISC systems.
HIGH5 provides a comprehensive view of personality types by integrating these two approaches, allowing for more accurate results with greater insight into how individuals think and act in various situations.
Its four strength domains encompass 20 applicable strengths that help measure an individual’s aptitudes, and the combination of these two approaches provides such an invaluable result.
What Do Results Tell You? Personality Traits vs Behavioral Patterns
The results of both the Enneagram test and DISC test provide insights into an individual’s personality traits or behavioral patterns. With the Enneagram, individuals are categorized into one of nine distinct types based on their intrinsic motivations and fears. This system examines how one’s internal beliefs influence behavior in different situations.
The DISC system utilizes a four-type model that groups people according to their observable behaviors within particular social contexts.
Rather than looking at internal traits as the Enneagram does, DISC focuses on external factors such as assertiveness and sociability to understand better how someone may act in different scenarios.
The Enneagram looks at intrinsic motivations, while DISC examines external behaviors, which can be beneficial for understanding people more profoundly and making better decisions when leading them.
Both systems can help understand people better, but it is essential to remember that no one method is better. It ultimately depends on what you’re trying to learn about an individual or group and which model best suits your needs.
Compared to HIGH5
The HIGH5 model combines the best of both approaches, offering a more complete and accurate assessment of an individual’s strengths.
Combining the Enneagram’s nine-type model and DISC’s four types, HIGH5 offers four domains that encompass more applicable strengths to measure personal aptitude, skills, and abilities. This allows us to gain greater insight into personality types and their behavior in different contexts.
What Do Tests Highlight? Healthy vs Mental Patterns
When it comes to health, Enneagram and DISC tests can both be insightful. The Enneagram looks at mental patterns that can be healthy or unhealthy, depending on how an individual uses their type.
For example, those in the Heart Type category may over-empathize with others, leading to unhealthy codependency if not managed correctly.
The DISC system also examines unconscious behaviors but primarily focuses on how they affect performance within specific contexts. This means it can help identify negative habits or traits that may prevent someone from reaching their fullest potential.
For instance, someone who scores high in Dominance (D) might need to learn how to manage aggression better when leading a team to achieve the desired results.
Both Enneagram and DISC tests have the potential to provide valuable insights into an individual’s mental patterns and behaviors.
However, it is essential to remember that these systems are not meant to be used in isolation – they should always be combined with other assessment methods, such as interviews or surveys, to get a more comprehensive picture of someone’s personality.
Compared to HIGH5
On the other hand, the HIGH5 model focuses on strengths rather than weaknesses, helping people use their natural abilities to reach their full potential.
By highlighting positive traits and skills, the test helps create an environment in which individuals can thrive. This makes it easier for leaders to shape team dynamics and develop an influential culture.
How do CliftonStrengths and MBTI Myers Briggs Compare?
Considering other popular assessment models such as CliftonStrengths and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), there are distinct differences between these systems and the Enneagram and DISC tests.
CliftonStrengths is a strengths-based model that looks at an individual’s top five “signature themes” or personality traits to understand how they will likely perform within specific contexts.
It focuses on helping individuals identify their most dominant qualities so they can then use them to achieve success.
The MBTI, on the other hand, is an inventory-based system that looks at four dichotomies when assessing someone’s personality type. While it does provide insight into intrinsic motivations and behaviors, it does not have the depth of analysis that the Enneagram or DISC systems offer.
Overall, the Enneagram and DISC tests provide a more comprehensive look at an individual’s mental patterns and behavior compared to CliftonStrengths and MBTI.
Understanding these models can benefit personal growth and better decisions when leading others.
How is CliftonStrengths Different From a Personality Test?
This model focuses on helping individuals identify their most dominant qualities so they can then use them to achieve success. CliftonStrengths is not a personality test like the Enneagram or DISC models.
It looks at an individual’s top five “signature themes” or personality traits to understand how they will likely perform within specific contexts.
In contrast, personality tests such as the Enneagram and DISC systems look deeply into individuals’ mental patterns and behavior to better understand who they are and why they behave the way they do.
These tests also provide valuable insight into intrinsic motivations that may influence decision-making processes and factors that may affect behavior.
Overall, the CliftonStrengths and personality tests offer different types of assessments. While both can be beneficial for personal growth, understanding one’s personality type may be more helpful for making better decisions when leading others.
Is the CliftonStrengths Assessment Worth It?
Yes, the CliftonStrengths assessment can provide valuable insights into an individual’s strengths and weaknesses.
Knowing these characteristics can help someone better understand their capabilities and limitations and how they might perform within specific contexts.
However, it is essential to remember that this assessment should always be combined with other evaluation methods, such as interviews or surveys, to get a more comprehensive picture of who someone is and why they behave the way they do.
How Accurate is CliftonStrengths?
The CliftonStrengths assessment can be a helpful tool in understanding someone’s personality traits. However, it should not be relied upon as the sole source of information when assessing an individual.
While it provides insight into an individual’s top five “signature themes” or dominant qualities, it does not comprehensively examine someone’s mental patterns and behavior as the Enneagram or DISC tests do.
Overall, the accuracy of this model depends on how accurately someone can answer questions about their thoughts and feelings. Some people may be more self-aware than others or have difficulty accurately describing themselves.
Additionally, the results may vary depending on the context in which they are taking the assessment – a person’s responses could change if they felt more comfortable in one setting versus another.
To get a complete picture of an individual’s personality, CliftonStrengths should always be combined with other methods of assessment.
This will help to ensure that any insights gained from the evaluation are accurate and reliable. Furthermore, developing a better understanding of one’s strengths and weaknesses can empower one to make better decisions when leading others and achieve success in their personal life.
Understanding The Two Personality Typing Systems
The Enneagram and DISC tests are popular models that offer a deeper look into an individual’s mental patterns and behavior, providing valuable insight into their intrinsic motivations and external factors that may be influencing their behavior.
Ultimately, understanding one’s personality type can help an individual make better decisions when leading others and empower them to succeed personally.
Disclaimer: HIGH5 does not intend to replicate or to substitute the Enneagram or DISC tests as both tests follow different methodologies, yet bring value in similar ways. Both tests help test takers be more aware of their own talents, strengths and personalities. HIGH5 does not dispute or diminish the value of these tests and encourages test takers to go through both assessments. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach us at hello(at)high5test.com
Enneagram and DISC logos are trademarks of their own owners/corporations. All other trademarks not owned by HIGH5 Test that appear on this website are the property of their respective owners, who may or may not be affiliated with HIGH5 Test.
