For Immediate Release: March 05, 2008
Media Contacts:
Nik Olsen
Colorado State University
970-491-7766
nik.olsen@colostate.edu
Adriana Saldana
HR Marketer
831.722.9910
asaldana@hrmarketer.com
Note: Research directors Dr. Kurt Kraiger and Dr. Steve Kirkpatrick are available
to discuss the research and findings. Contact Adriana Saldana at 831-722-9910 or by
e-mail to schedule a phone call.
News Release
New Comparative Research Study Identifies The
Most Effective Interpersonal Skills Training Program
Colorado State University & Regis Learning Solutions Identify SOCIAL STYLE as
Easier to Master and Apply than DiSC or Myers-Briggs
Fort Collins, CO – A new research study from Colorado State University and Regis Learning
Solutions compares the leading interpersonal training programs and finds that the SOCIAL
STYLE training model is easier to understand and use than either DiSC or Myers-Briggs.
The study is the first-ever comparative study of the three leading training programs in
interpersonal skills.
The study evaluated more than 200 people participating in training programs featuring the
DiSC model from Inscape Publishing, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) model from
CPP, Inc, and the Social Style model from TRACOM. It found that while participants in all
three programs held very positive reactions to the training programs, participants in Social
Style training scored significantly higher in terms of understanding and retaining course
concepts and in using those skills to understand and relate effectively with others.
“All three of these programs have been used for decades and have tens of thousands of
happy customers,” said Dr. Kurt Kraiger, director of the Center for Organizational
Excellence at CSU. “We felt it was important to conduct a thorough evaluation of the three
models and see if there were measurable differences in their impact. This study in fact
shows that Social Style does outperform DiSC and Myers-Briggs in terms of workplace
training.”
Regis Learning Solutions recruited working adults and conducted a series of training classes
where participants were trained in one of the three programs/models. Facilitators certified
by the program publishers to teach each specific model taught all class sessions. After
completing the class, participants were then evaluated to measure their reactions to the
training, their understanding and retention of the materials and their ability to apply the
information.
Key Research Findings:
1) Participant Reaction to Training
Participants in all three programs had very positive reactions to the programs and perceived
them to be very useful. Overall, Myers-Briggs received the highest rating in this area,
slightly more than DiSC and Social Style.
2) Retention of Key Concepts
Each person was tested after the training to assess their retention of key course concepts.
Social Style training participants scored highest, showing an average performance 18%
higher than DiSC participants and 34% higher than Myers-Briggs participants.
3) Applying Learning With Others
The final evaluation was of the participants’ ability to apply what they learned in the courses
when working with others. Each participant was asked to evaluate the behaviors of others
and determine their Style or Type. Social Style training participants were better able to
identify the correct Style or type, showing a 47% improvement over DiSC and 280%
improvement over MBTI.
Finally, participants were asked to identify effective ways to work with people based on
their known Style or Type identifications. Social Style training participants were more likely
to select appropriate ways to work with others based on Style or Type. They selected
appropriate approaches 24% more than DiSC participants and 58% more than MBTI
participants.
“Many organizations have historically relied on ‘participant satisfaction’ scores to evaluate
their training offerings,” said Dr. Steve Kirkpatrick, Chief Learning Office of Regis Learning
Solutions. “This research shows that while participants rate all three programs highly,
Social Style has a larger impact on their subsequent performance.”
The results of this study are detailed in a new paper entitled “An Evaluation of the
Effectiveness of Three Popular Training Programs to Improve Interpersonal Skills.” The
full paper, a summary and charts of the findings are available at www.learningwhitepapers.
com. The paper has been accepted by the American Psychological Association for
presentation at their annual conference in Boston this August.
The DiSC model and programs are published by Inscape Publishing. The Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator and programs are published by CPP, Inc. The Social Style model and
programs are published by The TRACOM Group.
* * *
The Center for Organizational Excellence is a research-based outreach institution within the
Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University. The Center engages in a
number of activities to forge the strategic alliances with external organizations and agencies,
and build upon the talent and unique capabilities of CSU’s faculty and students. Colorado
State University is a land-grant institution located in Fort Collins, Colorado with over 25,000
students; 1,400 faculty, eight colleges and 55 academic departments.
Regis Learning Solutions, a Regis University affiliated company, provides strategic learning
solutions to corporations and organizations around the world. Regis University is the 128
year-old Jesuit institution headquartered in Denver.
Media Contacts:
Nik Olsen
Colorado State University
970-491-7766
nik.olsen@colostate.edu
Adriana Saldana
HR Marketer
831.722.9910
asaldana@hrmarketer.com
Note: Research directors Dr. Kurt Kraiger and Dr. Steve Kirkpatrick are available
to discuss the research and findings. Contact Adriana Saldana at 831-722-9910 or by
e-mail to schedule a phone call.
News Release
New Comparative Research Study Identifies The
Most Effective Interpersonal Skills Training Program
Colorado State University & Regis Learning Solutions Identify SOCIAL STYLE as
Easier to Master and Apply than DiSC or Myers-Briggs
Fort Collins, CO – A new research study from Colorado State University and Regis Learning
Solutions compares the leading interpersonal training programs and finds that the SOCIAL
STYLE training model is easier to understand and use than either DiSC or Myers-Briggs.
The study is the first-ever comparative study of the three leading training programs in
interpersonal skills.
The study evaluated more than 200 people participating in training programs featuring the
DiSC model from Inscape Publishing, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) model from
CPP, Inc, and the Social Style model from TRACOM. It found that while participants in all
three programs held very positive reactions to the training programs, participants in Social
Style training scored significantly higher in terms of understanding and retaining course
concepts and in using those skills to understand and relate effectively with others.
“All three of these programs have been used for decades and have tens of thousands of
happy customers,” said Dr. Kurt Kraiger, director of the Center for Organizational
Excellence at CSU. “We felt it was important to conduct a thorough evaluation of the three
models and see if there were measurable differences in their impact. This study in fact
shows that Social Style does outperform DiSC and Myers-Briggs in terms of workplace
training.”
Regis Learning Solutions recruited working adults and conducted a series of training classes
where participants were trained in one of the three programs/models. Facilitators certified
by the program publishers to teach each specific model taught all class sessions. After
completing the class, participants were then evaluated to measure their reactions to the
training, their understanding and retention of the materials and their ability to apply the
information.
Key Research Findings:
1) Participant Reaction to Training
Participants in all three programs had very positive reactions to the programs and perceived
them to be very useful. Overall, Myers-Briggs received the highest rating in this area,
slightly more than DiSC and Social Style.
2) Retention of Key Concepts
Each person was tested after the training to assess their retention of key course concepts.
Social Style training participants scored highest, showing an average performance 18%
higher than DiSC participants and 34% higher than Myers-Briggs participants.
3) Applying Learning With Others
The final evaluation was of the participants’ ability to apply what they learned in the courses
when working with others. Each participant was asked to evaluate the behaviors of others
and determine their Style or Type. Social Style training participants were better able to
identify the correct Style or type, showing a 47% improvement over DiSC and 280%
improvement over MBTI.
Finally, participants were asked to identify effective ways to work with people based on
their known Style or Type identifications. Social Style training participants were more likely
to select appropriate ways to work with others based on Style or Type. They selected
appropriate approaches 24% more than DiSC participants and 58% more than MBTI
participants.
“Many organizations have historically relied on ‘participant satisfaction’ scores to evaluate
their training offerings,” said Dr. Steve Kirkpatrick, Chief Learning Office of Regis Learning
Solutions. “This research shows that while participants rate all three programs highly,
Social Style has a larger impact on their subsequent performance.”
The results of this study are detailed in a new paper entitled “An Evaluation of the
Effectiveness of Three Popular Training Programs to Improve Interpersonal Skills.” The
full paper, a summary and charts of the findings are available at www.learningwhitepapers.
com. The paper has been accepted by the American Psychological Association for
presentation at their annual conference in Boston this August.
The DiSC model and programs are published by Inscape Publishing. The Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator and programs are published by CPP, Inc. The Social Style model and
programs are published by The TRACOM Group.
* * *
The Center for Organizational Excellence is a research-based outreach institution within the
Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University. The Center engages in a
number of activities to forge the strategic alliances with external organizations and agencies,
and build upon the talent and unique capabilities of CSU’s faculty and students. Colorado
State University is a land-grant institution located in Fort Collins, Colorado with over 25,000
students; 1,400 faculty, eight colleges and 55 academic departments.
Regis Learning Solutions, a Regis University affiliated company, provides strategic learning
solutions to corporations and organizations around the world. Regis University is the 128
year-old Jesuit institution headquartered in Denver.
Interpersonal Skills
Training Comparison
Training Comparison
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Interviews with the research directors are available. Contact Adriana Saldana at HR
Marketer at 831.722.9910 or via e-mail.
Marketer at 831.722.9910 or via e-mail.