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.
behavioral profile insights
These four types represent an individual’s behavior profile insights 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 that 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 the 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 better understand 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.
Pros and Cons of Each Assessment
The Enneagram offers a very relatable approach, helping participants to easily see and understand their archetype. By breaking the test results into archetypes, participants feel a sense of belonging and understand how their relationship and emotional management impact the world. However, it is not highly regarded in the scientific community and it tends to tie participants to one specific archetype, even if they are a combination of multiple [4].
DiSC, like the Enneagram test, is very easy to understand and use for development. However, DiSC does cost more than the Enneagram test and is best used in corporate environments [2].
Conclusion
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.
Both assessments offer value. The Enneagram assessment is free, while DiSC often requires a paid report [1, 2]. However, the Enneagram is best for personal development activities, and DiSC is best for professional development.
Ultimately, understanding one’s personality type can help an individual make better decisions when leading others and empower them to succeed personally.
References:
- The Enneagram Institute. (2014). The Enneagram Institute. The Enneagram Institute. https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions/
- DISC Profile. (2021). What is DiSC. Discprofile.com. https://www.discprofile.com/what-is-disc
- The Enneagram Institute. (2014a). How the Enneagram System Works. The Enneagram Institute. https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works/
- Kashani, S. (2022, November 9). What Is the Enneagram? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-the-enneagram
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
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