DISC Personality Types
The four DISC personality types in the DISC profiling system are Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance. These factors reflect the points on the DISC graph which is the little graph you see on the behaviour reports you can generate for free through this site. Whichever point is the highest point on a persons personality profile dictates what type of personality that person has with the other points being sub-characteristics.
No individual sticks to one particular way of behaving all of the time, but the DISC graph will show which personality traits people prefer, and thus tend to use. An individual with a high D and a high I may use dominance or influence techniques in their interactions with other people or in order to get the job done.
Here are summaries of each different type of personality:
High Dominance Personality Type
A person with only a high dominance factor needs room to move and wide-scope operations. There is an innate drive to be in charge, as well as an innate belief in their own ability. There is a need for an operation with tangible results and for organisational efficiency.
Adjectives which could be used to describe this person include direct, forceful, demanding, mobile, active, alert, inquisitive, shrewd, competitive, impatient, energetic, probing, objective, independent and persistent, asks "what" and "when".
Specific reports for a high dominance personality type
High D personality types are energised by
- Being in charge of something
- Taking on new opportunities, especially challenges
- Having the authority to decide how things are done and make the decisions
- Working in a results oriented environment
- Being able to advance your career or earn recognition
- They love power
High D personality types lose energy and get annoyed when:
- They are closely supervised or micromanaged
- They are overruled or their decisions are questioned
- If they can't affect the outcome they get annoyed
- If they have to perform routine and predictable tasks
High Influence Personality Type
A very good opener and someone who will quickly put most people at ease. Not a good closer and indeed may shy away from closing a sale for fear of being rejected. Tends therefore to be happier in "soft-selling" or public relations work.
Adjectives which could be used to describe this person include outgoing, gregarious, persuasive, friendly, mobile, active, alert, restless, stubborn, sometimes defiant and sarcastic, strong-willed, self-starter, internally modest and peaceful, asks "who".
Specific reports for a high influence personality type
High I personality types are energised by
- Working with people in a fast-paced, varied environment
- Being in the spotlight (not necessarily being in charge)
- Tackling new projects and learning new things
- Gaining public recognition - praising them in public
- Initiating change and being able to be creative
- They love people
High I personality types lose energy and get annoyed when:
- around negative, cold, or pessimistic people
- Performing routine, detailed tasks
- Being held to rigid schedules
- Working alone
- Feeling left out
- Being criticised in public
High Steadiness Personality Type
Needs to belong, prefers tangible, practical assignments, avoids deadlines, rates highly loyalty, sincerity and reasonableness. Looks for security and avoids continual change. Prefers situations, which are for long-term prospects.
Adjectives which could be used to describe this person include thorough, sincere, loyal, genuine, amiable, kind, suspicious, security conscious, possessive, hard-working, reserved, reflective, non-aggressive, sometimes irritable, stubborn, persistent, dependable, asks "why".
High S personality types are energised by
- Cooperating with others
- Working in a stable, harmonious environment where you can complete one task at a time
- Being recognized for your loyalty and service
- Having clearly defined — and unchanging — rules and expectations
- Working with a small group of people where you can develop relationships
- They love the status quo (not the band)
High S personality types lose energy and get annoyed when:
- Dealing with sudden, unexpected change
- Being around competitive, aggressive, and confrontational people (untrained High Ds, High Is)
- Being pressured to make decisions or implement change
- Seeing other people get the credit for your hard work
- Being judged unfairly
High Compliance Personality Type
Needs to know how work should be done and what is expected. Prefers a structured environment and job parameters which are clearly defined. Likes to know who's who and what's what.
Adjectives which could be used to describe this person include precise, quiet, careful, painstaking, accurate, specialist, non-aggressive, nervous (socially), systematic, logical, compliant, adaptable, objective, anti-hassle, worrier, asks "how".
High C personality types are energised by
- Being right
- Having access to information and data
- Having time to investigate the problem, formulate a plan, and carry it through to completion
- Being dealt with in a reserved, business-like manner
- Being recognized and rewarded for specific accomplishments
- They love rules and boundaries
High C personality types lose energy and get annoyed when:
- Dealing with sudden or abrupt change
- Being required to socialize, to deal with emotionally charged situations, and to disclose personal information
- Lacking the time to process information or to evaluate consequences
- Being criticized by people who don't understand the situation
- Working in a situation that lacks rules or guidelines