What Is Personality Style?

Back to Home

The Personality Style System is the universal language of behavior. Research has shown that behavioral characteristics can be grouped together in four major divisions called personality styles. People with similar styles tend to exhibit specific behavioral characteristics common to that style. All people share these four styles in varying degrees of intensity. The acronym DISC stands for the four personality styles represented by the letters:

+ D (DRIVE)
+ I (INFLUENCE)
+ S (STEADINESS)
+ C (COMPLIANCE)

---

How Is The Personality Style Used?

D (Drive)
• General Characteristics: Direct. Decisive. High Ego Strength. Problem Solver. Risk Taker. Self Starter.
• Value to Team: Bottom-line organizer. Places value on time. Challenges the status quo. Innovative.
• Possible Weaknesses: Oversteps authority. Argumentative attitude. Dislikes routine. Attempts too much at once.
• Greatest Fear: Being taken advantage of.
•Motivated By: New challenges. Power and authority to take risks and make decisions. Freedom from routine and mundane tasks. Changing environments in which to work and play.
• Ideal Environment: Innovative focus on future. Non-routine challenging tasks and activities. Projects that produce tangible results. Freedom from controls, supervision, and details. Personal evaluation based on results, not methods.

• Remember a High D May Want: Authority, varied activities, prestige, freedom, assignments promoting growth, "bottom line" approach, and opportunity for advancement.
• DO: Be brief, direct, and to the point. Ask "what" not "how" questions. Focus on business; remember they desire results. Suggest ways for him/her to achieve results, be in charge, and solve problems. Highlight logical benefits of featured ideas and approaches.
• DON'T: Ramble. Repeat yourself. Focus on problems. Be too sociable. Make generalizations. Make statements without support.
• While analyzing information, a High D may: Ignore potential risks. Not weigh the pros and cons. Not consider others' opinions. Offer innovative and progressive systems and ideas.
• D's possess these positive characteristics in teams: Autocratic managers - great in crisis. Self-reliant. Innovative in getting results. Maintain focus on goals. Specific and direct. Overcome obstacles. Provide direction and leadership. Push group toward decisions. Willing to speak out. Generally optimistic. Welcome challenges without fear. Accept risks. See the big picture. Can handle multiple projects. Function well with heavy work loads.
• Personal Growth Areas for D's: Strive to be an "active" listener. Be attentive to other team members' ideas until everyone reaches a consensus. Be less controlling and domineering. Develop a greater appreciation for the opinions, feelings, and desires of others. Put more energy into personal relationships. Show your support for other team members. Take time to explain the "whys" of your statements and proposals. Be friendlier and more approachable.

Next Influence