Personality Profiling

Knowing ourselves better helps us work to our strengths and manage our weaknesses. For individuals it can help by giving clarity which can help you understand and overcome obstacles, and as group leader, it’s invaluable to understand the capabilities and working styles within your team.

As a certified coach I am able to offer both of the leading personality profiling tests – Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and DISC assessment.

There are several differences, and many similarities between these two methods, but which should you choose? I have given an overview of each below, feel free to contact me if this is something of interest to you, as an individual or a team.

MBTI vs DISC

MBTI is the most well-known and widely trusted personality profiling method. The assessment takes around 30 minutes to complete, and at the end you are assigned an MBTI profile that reveals how you see and interact with the world, giving insight into your motivation and the motivation of others. This provides a strong foundation for personal growth and development.

DISC uses a simpler model that again uses situations to identify behaviour, but also incorporates the fact that people exhibit different styles in different situations. The assessment takes around 7 minutes to complete and identifies you as Dominant, Influencer, Steady or Compliant. As with MBTI, DISC is a robust and well-regarded psychometric tool based on the work of Carl Jung.

 

 Main advantages of DISC:

  • Easy to administer individually and in groups
  • Simple and easy to understand and apply
  • People remember DISC long after they learn it
  • A tool for identifying others’ preferences quickly and easily

 

Main advantages of MBTI:

  • Very well known and regarded
  • Rich in detail for individuals
  • Wide range of materials and different reports for individuals, teams and organisations

 

Find out more

Susan – L B of Hounslow

Mary has worked really well with managers to ascertain the requirements for courses, as well as understanding the groups that she would be working with. Managers have repeatedly requested for Mary to facilitate team building events which demonstrates her excellent facilitation skills.

Susan Karwal, London Borough of Hounslow

Mary Foster
4
2015-01-06T21:20:52+00:00

Susan Karwal, London Borough of Hounslow

Mary has worked really well with managers to ascertain the requirements for courses, as well as understanding the groups that she would be working with. Managers have repeatedly requested for Mary to facilitate team building events which demonstrates her excellent facilitation skills.

Alison Ford – Borough of Hounslow

Mary has the ability to inspire groups and individuals and encourages them to see the possibilities rather than focusing on the negatives. I have seen Mary work with groups in quite challenging situations and her approach has really supported and engaged the participants. She builds good rapport and trust with clients and is always friendly, positive and interested. When things change at the last minute or she has to manage difficult situations, she is adaptable and responsive, whilst remaining positive.

Alison Ford, Organisational Development Consultant, London Borough of Hounslow

Mary Foster
5
2015-01-13T16:33:24+00:00

Alison Ford, Organisational Development Consultant, London Borough of Hounslow

Mary has the ability to inspire groups and individuals and encourages them to see the possibilities rather than focusing on the negatives. I have seen Mary work with groups in quite challenging situations and her approach has really supported and engaged the participants. She builds good rapport and trust with clients and is always friendly, positive and interested. When things change at the last minute or she has to manage difficult situations, she is adaptable and responsive, whilst remaining positive.

NICE

Mary facilitated our recent team away day; she supported the planning (suggesting alternative approaches) and was instrumental on the day in ensuring that our objectives for the away day were met. Mary’s enthusiasm and creativity, as well as the ability to flex the day when required meant the team had a very productive as well as enjoyable day. I would have no hesitation in recommending Mary to facilitate team developmental activity

Jan Robinson, Programme Manager at NICE

Mary Foster
2015-01-13T17:12:13+00:00

Jan Robinson, Programme Manager at NICE

Mary facilitated our recent team away day; she supported the planning (suggesting alternative approaches) and was instrumental on the day in ensuring that our objectives for the away day were met. Mary’s enthusiasm and creativity, as well as the ability to flex the day when required meant the team had a very productive as well as enjoyable day. I would have no hesitation in recommending Mary to facilitate team developmental activity

Sigma Aldrich

The course content is really good and can be applied to my current role and development areas. I will be using some of the tools learnt and will put them into practice. Mary is a very good trainer and easy to follow and engage with.

Management and Leadership course participant, Sigma-Aldrich

Mary Foster
5
2015-01-13T17:17:37+00:00

Management and Leadership course participant, Sigma-Aldrich

The course content is really good and can be applied to my current role and development areas. I will be using some of the tools learnt and will put them into practice. Mary is a very good trainer and easy to follow and engage with.

TFL

A very interactive and fun course. I achieved my objectives I set out before the course. Good balance between theory and practical.

Personal Impact course participant, TfL

Mary Foster
5
2015-01-13T17:28:36+00:00

Personal Impact course participant, TfL

A very interactive and fun course. I achieved my objectives I set out before the course. Good balance between theory and practical.

Frank West London Business

Mary facilitated a Board strategy session for us, and turned a potentially dour discussion into a creative, lively and fun event, which resulted in some innovative and forward thinking for our business planning. She's effective and charming.

Frank Wingate, Chief Executive, West London Business

Mary Foster
5
2015-02-19T17:55:31+00:00

Frank Wingate, Chief Executive, West London Business

Mary facilitated a Board strategy session for us, and turned a potentially dour discussion into a creative, lively and fun event, which resulted in some innovative and forward thinking for our business planning. She's effective and charming.

Luke Colman

One of the best courses I have attended during my Fire Service Career, it will greatly assist in improving my effectiveness as a leader & manager in RBFRS.

Luke Colman, Station Manager, Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service

Mary Foster
2018-03-23T16:19:23+00:00

Luke Colman, Station Manager, Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service

One of the best courses I have attended during my Fire Service Career, it will greatly assist in improving my effectiveness as a leader & manager in RBFRS.

Antonia Farrell

I attended Mary's 'Citrix Leader Program' in Nov 2017. Being a new manager at Citrix Systems I was a little nervous about the program as I worried I would be out of my depth... By the end of the two days, I felt far more confident in myself and my new role. The tools Mary used were very useful and appropriate - in fact, I know most of our group will be using the tools when conducting meetings/creating development plans and as part of our day-day planning/ organizing. Needless to say, I highly recommend Mary for your training days.

Antonia Farrell, Sales Support Manager, Citrix

Mary Foster
2018-03-23T16:23:24+00:00

Antonia Farrell, Sales Support Manager, Citrix

I attended Mary's 'Citrix Leader Program' in Nov 2017. Being a new manager at Citrix Systems I was a little nervous about the program as I worried I would be out of my depth... By the end of the two days, I felt far more confident in myself and my new role. The tools Mary used were very useful and appropriate - in fact, I know most of our group will be using the tools when conducting meetings/creating development plans and as part of our day-day planning/ organizing. Needless to say, I highly recommend Mary for your training days.

Matthew Coleman

Mary is an extremely engaging coach and trainer and I learned a lot of new skills and techniques from her training. I applied these a year after attending the first training course and honestly feel more comfortable in my role thanks to these. I would highly recommend Mary's Coaching and Leadership training.

Matthew Coleman, Team Leader, Shaw Trust

Mary Foster
2018-03-23T16:27:03+00:00

Matthew Coleman, Team Leader, Shaw Trust

Mary is an extremely engaging coach and trainer and I learned a lot of new skills and techniques from her training. I applied these a year after attending the first training course and honestly feel more comfortable in my role thanks to these. I would highly recommend Mary's Coaching and Leadership training.

Tayyaba Karim, London Borough of Wandsworth (Stepping Up Programme)









A very useful course to build confidence, realise one's potential, revisit your skills, find goals and get motivated to achieve them.








Tayyaba Karim, London Borough of Wandsworth (Stepping Up Programme)

Mary Foster
2018-04-17T14:52:49+00:00

Tayyaba Karim, London Borough of Wandsworth (Stepping Up Programme)

A very useful course to build confidence, realise one's potential, revisit your skills, find goals and get motivated to achieve them.

Matt Pinto – Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service











The Leadership Development Programme provides an excellent opportunity to learn how to lead a successful and happy, motivated team.











Matt Pinto, Business Applications Manager, Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service
Mary Foster
2018-04-17T14:54:36+00:00
Matt Pinto, Business Applications Manager, Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service
The Leadership Development Programme provides an excellent opportunity to learn how to lead a successful and happy, motivated team.

Professor Michael Rainsborough


Mary's exploration of conflict management in the work place proved a real eye-opener. Her presentation and analysis was fascinating and I learned about new ways to think creatively around the subject that have genuinely helped me deal effectively with complex situations in my large and busy department.


Professor Michael Rainsborough
Head of Department of War Studies, Kings College London
Mary Foster
1
2017-08-18T15:51:05+00:00
Professor Michael Rainsborough
Head of Department of War Studies, Kings College London
Mary's exploration of conflict management in the work place proved a real eye-opener. Her presentation and analysis was fascinating and I learned about new ways to think creatively around the subject that have genuinely helped me deal effectively with complex situations in my large and busy department.
4.2
6
Mary Foster