Many people who deliver DISC training ask me, “Why do I need to be certified to deliver DISC?” The truth is, while being certified isn’t a requirement for delivering DISC training, there are some very compelling reasons why you should be certified! The difference between a facilitator who is DISC Certified and one who is not can dramatically impact the experience and outcomes for your workshop participants. That said, not all DISC Certifications are created equal, here are critical elements to look for in a DISC Certification program.

Your program should be led by a facilitator with years of experience in multiple industries that you can leverage. It should also be someone who fits your needs and you “click with” so we highly recommend talking with the facilitator prior to signing up (would you hire a coach without ever meeting them?).

Look for someone who is knowledgeable, engaging, and has real-life stories and examples that highlight and reinforce the application of the model. This deepens your understanding and helps you develop your own talk tracks. A facilitator with a great sense of humor is always a plus! Does the program include a pre-session call with you to really understand your specific needs and what is important for you to get out of the certification program?

Be cautious of programs that certify you after just 2-8 hours of training. Most credible programs are a minimum of two full days with post-session certification exam and support. Make sure the program focuses on more than just the high attributes of DISC. You also want to understand the low DISC attributes or you will be missing half the picture as the lows are just as observable and important as the high attributes. Recognizing the different intensities and combination styles is also critical. A combo can minimize or expand the behaviors of the other factors. Understanding adaptations, both strategic and reactive, will help you focus your coaching and broaden the impact you can have on team and organizational dynamics.

The assessments that are part of your DISC certification program should be the best on the market because most likely these will be the ones you will utilize in your training as they will be integrated in the training materials. Determine how long they have been in existence and that they have high validity ratings. Look for assessments that have a bar graph (depicting both natural and adapted styles) as well as a wheel graph.

Many assessments on the market just plot a dot on a wheel which limits the true understanding and application of DISC. Without these graphs, the data will be missing the intensities of the high and low DISC attributes, combination styles, and will not have visibility to how they are adapting which is critically important for development.

Many assessments on the market give you very generic information based just on your highest DISC attribute. Look for assessments where each page is customized and applicable to the individual – your participants will be blown away by the accuracy!

Certifications are generally teaching you information about a methodology and then testing you for understanding. Robust certifications don’t just train you on competency; they strive to give you the confidence to stand up and deliver an impactful program.

You want to experience how the general training is facilitated and most effectively delivered. Exercises that are targeted to your participants’ objectives are critical, and you will want to make sure there is time in the certification program to practice delivering a variety of exercises.

It’s vital that a great facilitation kit is included in your program, as most people do not have the background, time, or resources to put together their own. This can become very costly. Here are some things to look for in the materials you will be receiving:

• Are there different slide decks and handouts based on the audience (teams, leaders, sales etc.)?
• Have the materials been customized for virtual delivery vs. live in-person?
• Do each of the slides have detailed facilitator notes (objective, how to facilitate and transition to the next slide)?
• Are there handouts with resources for each of the different programs, and are they also available in PDF fillable format for virtual delivery?
• Do they have a library of exercises you can pick from to ensure you are meeting the objectives of your groups, along with detailed facilitator notes?
• Group information takes your professionalism to the next level – will you be able to easily put together group graphs and wheels along with name tents with their DISC style?
• A question of utmost importance: Are they customizable? It’s necessary to have the ability to change, edit and make the materials your own. Are leave-behinds included for daily application of the DISC knowledge?

This is a key differentiator in a DISC Certification program: What happens after you leave the class? Look for a company who has one commitment and that is to your success as a facilitator and the success of your programs.

What do they do to support you after the program, and do they offer those services at no charge?

• Will they help you customize materials and group data for your sessions and assist you to custom design your initial strategy and programs?
• Do they provide ongoing coaching, advice, and support for your projects, with material updates free of charge?
• Do they include webinars to review the online assessment system access and all the features?
• Do they provide educational webinars to expand and reinforce your learning?
• Will you receive tuition-free attendance for any future DISC Certifications you may want to attend for a refresher?

While it is not a requirement to be DISC Certified to deliver trainings, the benefits of your investment will pay off in great dividends, especially if you are thoughtful and diligent about choosing the right company and trainer for your specific needs.

At Data Dome, we’re proud to offer online, or in-person Master DISC Certification Program that combines in-depth knowledge building with facilitation techniques to ensure you are both competent and confident to lead DISC sessions!