--- title: 5 Mistakes Assessment Users Make description: DISC results are only as powerful as its application. Five mistakes DISC users typically make and how to avoid them. image: https://blog.ttisi.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Assessment%20users%20mistake.jpeg --- [![TTI_RBG_Logos__Solid_Horizontal_Charcoal](https://blog.ttisi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TTI_RBG_Logos__Solid_Horizontal_Charcoal.png?width=300&height=45&name=TTI_RBG_Logos__Solid_Horizontal_Charcoal.png) ](https://www.ttisi.com/) - [About](https://www.ttisi.com/about) - [Assessments](https://www.ttisi.com/assessments) - [Solutions](https://www.ttisi.com/solutions) - [Partnerships](https://www.ttisi.com/partnerships) - [Resources](https://www.ttisi.com/resources/) - [Research](https://www.ttiresearch.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.ttisi.com) - [Global](https://www.ttisi.com/global/) - [Get Started](https://www.ttisi.com/get-started/) Posts by Tag ### Posts by Tag - [talent management (194)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/talent-management) - [behaviors (165)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/behaviors) - [workplace culture (132)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/workplace-culture) - [business strategies (126)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/business-strategies) - [emotional intelligence (117)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/emotional-intelligence) - [team management (100)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/team-management) - [miscellaneous (83)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/miscellaneous) - [hiring (81)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/hiring) - [leadership (78)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/leadership) - [skills development (68)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/skills-development) - [motivators (65)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/motivators) - [effective communication (60)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/effective-communication) - [assessments (45)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/assessments) - [training / coaching (44)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/training-coaching) - [stress (39)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/stress) - [infographic (32)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/infographic) - [mindsciencecenter (21)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/mindsciencecenter) - [assessment providers (20)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/assessment-providers) - [DISC (10)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/disc) - [sciences (9)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/sciences) - [growth mindset (8)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/growth-mindset) - [research (5)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/research) - [artificial intelligence (4)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/artificial-intelligence) - [Burnout (3)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/burnout) - [axiology (2)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/axiology) - [technology (1)](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/technology) See all Subscribe ### Subscribe Feb 04, 2016 | 3 Minute Read # 5 Mistakes Assessment Users Make ![Assessment users mistake.jpeg](https://blog.ttisi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Assessment%20users%20mistake.jpeg?width=780&name=Assessment%20users%20mistake.jpeg) Far too often when a coach, consultant or trainer provides a person with an assessment, the debrief is more of an event than a life-shifting catalyst for positive change. This is because people are not sure what to do with the assessment. They are overwhelmed by the information, the accuracy and the intimacy. Too often the person who provides the assessment does not give enough information for how to use this powerful information. So it ends up in a file, in a drawer. This is a huge lost opportunity! It is incumbent upon coaches, trainers and consultants who use assessments to both drive home the meaning and context of an assessment and to offer opportunities for how to apply the language to life. Here are 5 common mistakes assessment users make: **1. They use one assessment regardless of what the issue is. ** Assessments are growing in use throughout the business landscape. But far too often, people who use assessments keep going back to the same tool — usually DISC — to solve all problems. Different assessments should be used to address different issues. For example, when a leader cannot pinpoint the source of disengagement, we would recommend using DISC and 12 Driving Forces (motivators) and our Stress Quotient™ assessment to uncover the issues that need to be addressed. One assessment does not fit all. **2. They fail to use the information to bring about improvement or development** — it goes in the file rather than into their lives. While assessments are commonly used in the workplace, what you learn about yourself through an assessment can be used in relationships, decision-making and in other life situations. Knowing your behavior style and how you prefer to be communicated with comes in handy during parent-teacher conferences, during conversations with a significant other. The assessment is a tool for life not just for work. Apply it everywhere. **3. They focus on one statement and thus degrade the rest of the report.** In all my years of debriefing assessments for individuals and organizations, I’ve witnessed this occurrence thousands of times. Despite the variety of personalized statements, most of which are neutral, positive or constructive criticism, people tend to focus on the most critical statement. They then obsess over it, letting it overpower the information in the rest of the report. If this occurs, be sure to point it out. Have them physically highlight the positive statements around it. Redirect their attention to how this criticism could be a positive in certain situations. Do not let our brain’s wiring to replay negatives and short circuit the positive power of the assessment. **4. They keep it to themselves.** This frequently occurs when mistake No. 3 is made. Assessments are made for sharing! Sharing the information we learn about ourselves is essential. How you do it is up to you. Here are some options: use the assessment to improve your communication with other styles, use it to realign your work to satisfy your core motivators, or use it to build the skills that are less developed. And right when you receive an assessment, before you tuck it away, share it with a spouse, a mentor or even with your team. **5. They do not use it to appreciate differences.** Life is about appreciating one another’s differences and understanding how to relate to, empathize with and appreciate people different than them. Sometimes when confronted with an assessment that focuses on you, the idea of using it to appreciate how other people behave, what drives them and what their skills are is lost. We are all different! That’s a positive thing, because it makes life and work interesting and possibilities for collaboration and innovation abundant! Information is only as powerful as the extent to which we can apply it in work, life and relationships. Its power is unveiled during the first conversation about the report results. But that’s just the beginning — not the end of the journey.   Topics: [training / coaching](https://blog.ttisi.com/topic/training-coaching) #### Don't forget to share this post! Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.ttisi.com/5-mistakes-assessment-users-make) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.ttisi.com/5-mistakes-assessment-users-make) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.ttisi.com/5-mistakes-assessment-users-make) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://blog.ttisi.com/5-mistakes-assessment-users-make) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://blog.ttisi.com/5-mistakes-assessment-users-make) ![Bill J Bonnstetter](https://blog.ttisi.com/hubfs/Headshot/bill%20new%20headshot.jpg) [Bill J Bonnstetter](https://blog.ttisi.com/author/bill-j-bonnstetter) Bill J. Bonnstetter was chairman of TTI Success Insights and founder and chairman of Target Training International. He was considered one of the pioneers in the assessment industry because of his significant contributions to the research and study of human behavior. ### Suggestions [![Rebuilding Trust: How TTI Türkiye Restored Confidence in Assessments](https://blog.ttisi.com/hubfs/Turkey-case-study-Facebook.jpg)](https://blog.ttisi.com/rebuilding-trust-how-tti-t%C3%BCrkiye-restored-confidence-in-assessments?hsLang=en-us) [Rebuilding Trust: How TTI Türkiye Restored Confidence in Assessments](https://blog.ttisi.com/rebuilding-trust-how-tti-t%C3%BCrkiye-restored-confidence-in-assessments?hsLang=en-us) [![How to Find the Right Business Consultant](https://blog.ttisi.com/hubfs/how-to-find-the-right-business-consultant.jpg)](https://blog.ttisi.com/how-to-find-the-right-business-consultant?hsLang=en-us) [How to Find the Right Business Consultant](https://blog.ttisi.com/how-to-find-the-right-business-consultant?hsLang=en-us) [![Unexpected Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset](https://blog.ttisi.com/hubfs/unexpected-ways-to-develop-a-growth-mindset-LinkedIn.jpg)](https://blog.ttisi.com/unexpected-ways-to-develop-a-growth-mindset?hsLang=en-us) [Unexpected Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset](https://blog.ttisi.com/unexpected-ways-to-develop-a-growth-mindset?hsLang=en-us) #### Company -  [17015 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite #150 Scottsdale, AZ 85255](https://goo.gl/maps/3MThQFiPjk42) -  [800.869.6908](tel:+18008696908) -  [480.443.1077](tel:+14804431077) #### Resources - [About](https://www.ttisi.com/about) - [Research](https://ttiresearch.com/) - [MindScience Center](https://www.mindsciencecenter.com/) - [Using Assessment Tests](https://www.ttisi.com/how-to-consult-effectively-with-employee-assessment-tests/) #### Legal - [Privacy Statement](https://www.ttisi.com/privacy-statement) - [Compliance](https://www.ttisi.com/compliance) - [Foreign Transaction Policy](https://images.ttisi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/01104910/2024-TTI-Foreign-Transactions-Policy-4885-7145-3741_6.pdf) - [GDPR](https://www.ttisi.com/gdpr) - [CCPA Notice](https://www.ttisi.com/ccpa-notice) #### Social - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tti-success-insights) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ttisuccessinsights.na) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ttisuccessinsights_) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@TTISuccessInsights) ©2025 TTI Success Insights