In many workplaces today, understanding how we work best has become a priority. Whether it’s improving communication or boosting productivity, personality assessments have become widely popular. One of the most recognized assessments is the DISC personality test, which helps identify behavioral tendencies. But how does this compare to something like the Colored Brain model, which focuses on brain genetics? And what happens when your DISC result labels you as “Influential” (I), but your Colored Brain profile says you’re a “Red Brain”? Let’s explore these differences.
Understanding DISC
The DISC personality test is a behavioral assessment that categorizes people into four key types: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. It focuses primarily on the what—what behaviors you display in different environments. For example, an HR professional might lean toward Steadiness (S) because their role requires relationship-building, while a finance professional might score high on Conscientiousness (C) due to their focus on detail and precision. DISC gives a snapshot of behavior based on the environment, offering insights into how we act at work or in personal interactions.Introducing Colored Brain
Colored Brain is a different kind of assessment. Rather than focusing on behaviors, it looks at how we think and process information. Based on brain genetics, the model categorizes people into four “colors”:- Green Brain: Action-oriented, spontaneous, and focused on clear goals.
- Red Brain: Structured and systematic, with a step-by-step approach.
- Purple Brain: Relational in process, gathering lots of information before making decisions.
- Blue Brain: Intuitive, following gut feelings and insights.
For instance, a Red Brain HR professional may follow a clear, structured method for recruiting: Step 1, contact the candidate; Step 2, ask a series of questions; Step 3, decide whether to proceed with the next interview. Even though HR often leans toward Steadiness in DISC, this person’s structured, detail-oriented approach comes from their Red Brain wiring.
Sales: An Example of How DISC and Colored Brain Differ
Let’s consider another example—sales. A Dominance (D) personality in DISC thrives in high-stakes, fast-moving environments. But what if this salesperson has a Green Brain? They might go straight into action, calling leads without much planning, and bounce back quickly from rejection. On the other hand, a Purple Brain salesperson would take a different route, gathering information and creating backup plans before jumping into action. It might take them longer to close a deal, but when all the pieces are in place, they can move even faster than their peers.This shows that while DISC focuses on the what—what behaviors you display—Colored Brain explains how those behaviors come to life, revealing the underlying thought processes behind actions.