This paper draws attention to a behavior-based assessment instrument that is frequently utilized in industry settings but less utilized in the academic classroom. The authors argue that this instrument, the dominance, influence, steadiness, and compliance (DISC) profile, can be useful in training and developing soft skills desired by employers. They also examine the effects of gender and work experience on the various DISC patterns to better understand how this instrument may be useful for coaching and mentoring in those academic and organizational contexts. In this study, DISC pattern data were gathered from 1547 undergraduate and graduate students across multiple universities in the USA. A multivariate analysis of variance was performed on the data and the results show males scoring higher on Dominance and females scoring higher on Steadiness, as predicted. Females scored higher on Compliance, contrary to predictions. Graduate students scored higher on Dominance and undergraduates scored higher in Steadiness, as hypothesized. Undergraduates also scored higher on Influence than did graduate students. Such differences in DISC profiles suggest that, as a behavior-based instrument, DISC may be helpful for students in understanding their behavioral tendencies as well as identifying workplace behaviors needed to bridge the gap between the soft skills employers want and the competencies students possess.
Due to Covid-19 and the inaccessibility of study abroad for some students, we successfully tested an alternative for building intercultural effectiveness -- a glocal classroom (GC) pedagogy highlighting assessment as learning. Over a 15-week course, the GC replicated the work context and job demands of expert global leaders and developed global skills via activities and simulations. Pre-posttest measures of the Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) found significant improvement in all dimensions. Students with prior international experience had higher pre-test results in the world orientation and relationship development dimensions; however, students without study abroad experience approximated those results in their post-test assessment, apparently as a result of the GC. Quantitative and qualitative findings suggest that assessment, self-awareness, self-directed PDPs, well-designed simulations, receiving and giving extensive feedback, and reflection can be effective methods for moving the needle on intercultural competencies without a physical international experience.
To be an effective communicator, students need to learn how to select the appropriate means of communication and be aware of potential obstacles. The Model of Communication Process can be an effective framework for students to understand many pitfalls of the communication process. The described activity enables students to experience different levels of richness (e.g., face-to-face, instant messaging or email) and with varying levels of feedback and noise. After completing the activity, students will understand the importance of precise, rich messages, seeking and providing feedback, and the difficulties that can occur at every step in communication.
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