AMA DISC

The AMA (American Management Association) DISC Survey has been developed by Dr Robert A Cooke of Human Synergistics/Centre for Applied Research. Based on William Marston's DISC framework, the AMA DISC Survey measures the four basic styles of behaviour: Directing, Influencing, Supportive, and Contemplative.

Marston's model has been used now for over 40 years as a feedback process for individuals to understand their personal styles and the strengths and weaknesses within each. In this case, no style is inherently better or worse than the others and all styles can contribute to (and potentially detract from) individual and group effectiveness.

An AMA DISC survey is unique in that it not only measures the strength of each style, but also separates out the productive and counter-productive aspects of each style. This allows for considerably more analysis, particularly in terms of development planning.

Unique Characteristics of the AMA DISC Survey

These are:

• Specifically assess on-the-job behaviours (not general personality preferences)
• Plan more effective programs using feedback on both productive and counter-productive traits - so you know what to build on and what to work on
• Get immediate results, including charts, graphs and summaries
• Be confident that results are accurate. AMA's DISC Survey meets American Psychological Association & American Educational Research Association standards for reliability and validity

Applications

The personal styles are relevant to programs focusing on:

• personal development, time management, interpersonal relations, emotional intelligence;
• team building, problem solving and decision making;
• conflict management and organisational change.