Talent Development Leadership Development Program

Dominance
People with the D style are characterized by the way they address PROBLEMS and CHALLENGES.

Characteristics:

• Their priority is accomplishing results and achieving efficiency.

• They are motivated by winning, competition and success.
• Their natural focus is on accepting challenge, taking action and achieving immediate results.
• Others see them as direct, demanding, forceful, strong willed, driven, determined, fast-paced, and
self-confident.
• Some of their limiting traits are, lack of concern for others, impatience and open skepticism.
• They value competency, action, concrete results, personal freedom, challenges.

Observable Traits: We can identify D-style people by their fast-pace and outspoken nature. They ask
a lot of questions, and can be openly skeptical if not convinced. You’ll notice the D-style acting
assertively, making quick decisions, and speaking rather bluntly.

Communication Style: Direct, to the point of being blunt.

Get it factor: Get it Done!

Fears: Loss of control, being seen as vulnerable, being taken advantage of.

Areas to work on:

• showing patience
• displaying sensitivity
• getting into the details
• allowing deliberation

Leadership styles: Commanding, Resolute, Pioneering

When communicating with the D style individuals, give them the bottom line, be brief, focus your
discussion narrowly, avoid making generalizations, refrain from repeating yourself, and focus on
solutions rather than problems.

Caution:
The idea of DISC is to not assign labels to people, and rationalize (poor) behaviour. For one thing
not all D/I/S/Cs behave or respond in the same way. There is diversity in each dimension depending
on their measure in their own, and other quadrants. DISC was designed as a way of helping people
better understand another person’s preferences and priorities. It’s a tool to help each of us adapt our
preferred, natural behavioral style to meet the needs of another, in a healthy manner.
 Talent Development Leadership Development Program

Influence
People with the I style are characterized by the way they interact and influence PEOPLE and
CONTACTS.

Characteristics:

• Their priority is taking action, collaboration, and expressing enthusiasm.

• They are motivated by social recognition, group activities, and relationships
• Others see them as convincing, magnetic, enthusiastic, warm, trusting and optimistic
• Some of their limiting traits are, being impulsive, disorganized and having a lack of follow-through.
• They value coaching and counseling, freedom of expression and democratic relationships.

Observable Traits: We can often recognize i-style people by their outgoing energy, optimism, warmth,
and gift of gab. These are the people who want to experience life. They want to touch it, smell it, see
it, talk about it and then move on to the next experience. They aren’t typically seen at work buried in
the details of a spreadsheet.

Communication Style: With their high energy levels and positive outlook, they can be very
charismatic and diplomatic.

Get it factor: Get recognition/approval.

Fears: Rejection, loss of influence, disapproval and being ignored

Areas to work on:

• follow-through completely
• research all the facts
• speak directly and candidly
• stay focused for long periods

Leadership styles: Energizing, Pioneering, Affirming

When communicating with the i style individual, share your experiences, allow the i style person time
to ask questions and talk themselves, focus on the positives, avoid overloading them with details,
and don't interrupt them.

Caution:
The idea of DISC is to not assign labels to people, and rationalize (poor) behaviour. For one thing
not all D/I/S/Cs behave or respond in the same way. There is diversity in each dimension depending
on their measure in their own, and other quadrants. DISC was designed as a way of helping people
better understand another person’s preferences and priorities. It’s a tool to help each of us adapt our
preferred, natural behavioral style to meet the needs of another, in a healthy manner.
 Talent Development Leadership Development Program

Steadiness
People with the S style are characterized by the way they deal with PACE and CONSISTENCY.

Characteristics:

• Their priority is giving support, collaboration and maintaining stability.

• They are motivated by cooperation, opportunities to help and sincere appreciation.
• Their natural focus is on cooperating with others within existing circumstances to carry out the task.
• Others see them as calm, patient, predictable, deliberate, stable and consistent.
• Some of their limiting traits are, being indecisive, overly accommodating and tendency to avoid
change.
• They value loyalty, helping others and security.

Observable Traits: We know that S-style people tend to be more cautious and reflective than fast-
paced and outspoken. They are also warm, sincere and accepting personalities. If you want
someone to listen patiently to you, this might be the person you go to. If you want to escape after a
hectic and chaotic day, theirs might be the home or office to which you turn.

Communication Style: Direct, to the point of being blunt.

Get it factor: Get along!

Fears: loss of security, change, loss of stability and offending others.

Areas to work on:

• quickly adapting to change or unclear expectations

• multitasking
• promoting themselves
• confronting others

Leadership styles: Inclusive, Humble, Affirming

When communicating with the S style individuals, be personal and amiable, express your interest in
them and what you expect from them, take time to provide clarification, be polite, and avoid being
confrontational, overly aggressive or rude.

Caution:
The idea of DISC is to not assign labels to people, and rationalize (poor) behaviour. For one thing
not all D/I/S/Cs behave or respond in the same way. There is diversity in each dimension depending
on their measure in their own, and other quadrants. DISC was designed as a way of helping people
better understand another person’s preferences and priorities. It’s a tool to help each of us adapt our
preferred, natural behavioral style to meet the needs of another, in a healthy manner.
 Talent Development Leadership Development Program

Compliance
People with the C style are characterized by the way they deal with PROCEDURES and
CONSTRAINTS.

Characteristics:

• Their priority is ensuring accuracy, maintaining stability, and challenging assumptions.

• They are motivated by opportunities to gain knowledge, showing their expertise, and quality work.
• Others see them as careful, cautious, systematic, diplomatic, accurate and tactful
• Some of their limiting traits are, being overcritical, overanalyzing and isolating themselves.
• They value quality and accuracy.

Observable Traits: The standard tendencies for C-style people is that they are questioning and
skeptical, as well as cautious and reflective. They value high standards, careful analysis and
diplomacy. They might shy away from new ideas or respond poorly to criticism of their work. In the
workplace they tend to seek the analytical tasks they can complete on their own. You seldom see
them making small talk.

Communication Style: Cautious, thorough, detail-oriented, with a preference for the written word.

Get it factor: Get it right.

Fears: criticism and being wrong.

Areas to work on:

• letting go and delegating tasks

• compromising for the good of the team
• joining social events and celebrations
• making quick decisions

Leadership styles: Deliberate, Humble, Resolute

When communicating with the C style individual, focus on facts and details; minimize "pep talk" or
emotional language; be patient, persistent and diplomatic.

Caution:
The idea of DISC is to not assign labels to people, and rationalize (poor) behaviour. For one thing
not all D/I/S/Cs behave or respond in the same way. There is diversity in each dimension depending
on their measure in their own, and other quadrants. DISC was designed as a way of helping people
better understand another person’s preferences and priorities. It’s a tool to help each of us adapt our
preferred, natural behavioral style to meet the needs of another, in a healthy manner.