1. How can married couples or marriage counselors use this DISC information?
In the first Rocky movie, the awkward Philadelphia boxer started dating a quiet, shy, plain-looking girl named Adrien, who worked away from people in a small pet store. Rocky's best friend was Adrien's brother, Pauly, who asked Rocky what he saw in her. (Why in the world would he want to date her?) In his simplistic manner, Rocky explained, "Because she has gaps!" Pauly looked dumbfounded and asked, "What?" Rocky replied, "You know, 'g-a-p-s'. She's got gaps and I got gaps, and between the two of us, our gaps meet and we sort of fill each other in."

The goal of successful marriages is learning to complete, rather than compete. Whether he realized it or not, Rocky had discovered a profound truth, everyone has gaps. Whether we realize it or not, we are looking for someone to fill our own gaps, our own weaknesses. It is very helpful to know your mate's gaps: your mate's behavioral style.

It's true that "opposites attract... and then opposites attack!" The very things that first attract us to our mates are their "opposite" qualities. When a couple completes the Personality Insights assessments, they can understand each other's "wiring."
This information will help a couple to establish priorities and understand the areas in which the can complete each other, along with revealing some of the "potholes in the road" where they will tend to compete with each other.

Marriage and Family Counselors, and Pastors, are encouraged to attend our Certification & Training conferences to become certified in the use of our Assessment tools. Our office would be happy to discuss the use of these materials with counselors.

2. What kinds of personality issues should an engaged couple explore before marriage?
Pace and Priority are the major issues for many couples throughout life. When one is fast-paced and the other is slow-paced, or when one is task-oriented and the other is people-oriented, expect to experience some conflicts and adjustments. One person likes to go and do, while the other likes to stay and talk... or listen... or read...  or think...

The way they couples argue has a lot to do with personality styles. Perhaps one is very vocal and "blows off some steam." It may be very difficult for a sensitive spouse to "forget" it, because to that spouse, it seems more like smog! If one person goes from mountain top experience to mountain top experience while the other person tends to live in the "valleys" of life, expect to experience some difficulties.

If two "D" types marry, there may be an ongoing battle for control. If two "S" types marry, they may not quarrel much at all, but they may have a hard time deciding even what restaurant to go to, because neither wants to be in control. Who Do You Think You Are... Anyway? has an entire chapter called "DISCover Your Mate's Design," filled  with many insights for couples.