DISC Assessments Help Select Legal Partner

David had been working with a legal firm for some years and was a leading commercial lawyer. He was extremely popular with his fellow team members and the life and soul of any social occasions. He was also highly respected by clients for his knowledge in his chosen field. 

The partners of the firm knew that other legal practices had made job offers to David and they decided that to retain him, they needed to promote him from his position as a manager in the firm by offering him a partnership. Accordingly, the offer was made and they were delighted when he accepted their invitation to take up his new position in three months’ time.

Problem

As the time drew near for David to take over his new position, the partners noticed a change in him and he didn’t seem to be his former self. He began to avoid Friday night drinks with the team and something seemed to be troubling him. This caused considerable anxiety as the partners did not want to be joined by someone who was uncomfortable with his new role and additional responsibility.

They decided to include David in partners’ meetings to show him that they wanted transparency and every time he was asked the question, he assured them that he was looking forward to his new role.

The partners then decided to go back to their FinxS Database to review David’s Extended DISC Behavioural Assessment, completed a couple of years previously, and found that there was nothing unusual about it. His conscious profile was very similar to his unconscious profile, both with balanced “ISC” traits. A lawyer who was perfectly comfortable meeting and mixing with people, with the steady “S” traits and precise “C” characteristics. They weren’t looking for a dominant partner and so the report confirmed that David was exactly who they needed and the profiles matched his behavioural style.

They decided that they would ask him to complete the Behavioural Assessment again to obtain an updated report and to their dismay, the unconscious profile (Profile II) had become tight, indicating insecurity, something the existing partners did not need in a new partner!

Solution

It was decided that the managing partner should meet with David and discuss his latest Behavioural Assessment with him, this proved to be exactly the right thing to do. By using the report as a discussion starter, David found the opportunity to explain to the managing partner the real reason for the apparent shift in his behavioural style. He explained that his wife had left him a few weeks earlier and that he was going through some personal turmoil.

Psychometric Tests help individuals, identify and learn about their unconscious behavioral style such as your natural communication, how you react to pressure and stress, as well as how to best communicate with other DISC styles. ExtendedDISC Behavioural Assessments, helped identify David as a successful partner despite his personal turmoil. David did become a partner, and after sorting out his personal problems, exceeded the other partners’ expectations. The use of the Extended DISC Behavioural Assessment had provided an opening for a discussion that might otherwise not have taken place and allowed the partners to better understand him and help him through his tough times.