Who They Are Versus What They Want: How Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance Profiles can aid in Developing Employability

Authors

Bonnie S. O'Neill, Marquette UniversityFollow
Jason Fertig, University of Southern Indiana
Pamela Wells, San Jose State University
Carelle B. Bassil, Baruch College

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2022

Publisher

SAGE

Source Publication

Industry and Higher Education

Source ISSN

0950-4222

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1177/09504222211070950

Abstract

This paper draws attention to a behavior-based assessment instrument that is frequently utilized in industry settings but less utilized in the academic classroom. The authors argue that this instrument, the dominance, influence, steadiness, and compliance (DISC) profile, can be useful in training and developing soft skills desired by employers. They also examine the effects of gender and work experience on the various DISC patterns to better understand how this instrument may be useful for coaching and mentoring in those academic and organizational contexts. In this study, DISC pattern data were gathered from 1547 undergraduate and graduate students across multiple universities in the USA. A multivariate analysis of variance was performed on the data and the results show males scoring higher on Dominance and females scoring higher on Steadiness, as predicted. Females scored higher on Compliance, contrary to predictions. Graduate students scored higher on Dominance and undergraduates scored higher in Steadiness, as hypothesized. Undergraduates also scored higher on Influence than did graduate students. Such differences in DISC profiles suggest that, as a behavior-based instrument, DISC may be helpful for students in understanding their behavioral tendencies as well as identifying workplace behaviors needed to bridge the gap between the soft skills employers want and the competencies students possess.

Comments

Accepted version. Industry and Higher Education, Vol. 36, No. 6 (December 2022): 795-806. DOI. © SAGE Publications. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

O'Neill, Bonnie S.; Fertig, Jason; Wells, Pamela; and Bassil, Carelle B., "Who They Are Versus What They Want: How Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance Profiles can aid in Developing Employability" (2022). Management Faculty Research and Publications. 376.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/mgmt_fac/376