Personal Profile Analysis (PPA® also known as DISC®

What it is

Based on a theory of human behaviour set out by Marston in 1928, PPA suggests the idea that people behave in response to the environment that they find themselves in. Marston suggested that the responses could range from antagonistic to favourable and could be passive or active. Using these two axis he created a model of four typical ways of engaging with the environment: Dominance – an active, positive approach in an unfriendly environment: Influence – an active, positive approach in a favourable environment: Steadiness – passive agreeableness in a favourable environment: Compliance – a cautious, undecided response to an antagonistic environment designed to calm the degree of antagonism.

Whilst assuming that most people show all four of these approaches, unlike MBTI, PPA proposes that behaviours are not fixed but may change when the person’s environment changes. The questionnaire produces three graphs: one reflects the person’s preferred work style at this point in their working life: one shows how they are currently modifying their preferred work style in order to be successful in their current job: one gives a picture of how they would behave under extreme pressure.

Why we use it

PPA is very useful for one to one work, team development and to support an organisation with internal and external recruitment processes. It can help to:

  • create clarity of role requirements and person specifications
  • screen applicants for a role
  • support the interview process
  • support new recruits as they integrate in to the organisation
  • support the management and development of team members
  • coach and mentor
  • performance review
  • train
  • identify potential
  • succession plan
  • develop self-awareness of behavioural style, impact on others, work strengths etc
  • develop understanding of others, relationship building strategies and behavioural agility
  • increase awareness of a team’s profile and its alignment with business demands
  • develop the valuing of diversity and difference within teams