DISC Personality Profiles
Human behavior is not black and white and that is why DISC theory consists of a combination of four DISC personality styles. These styles are Dominant, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance. The DiSC personality test is based on Marston’s DISC theory and has been used in business applications for over thirty years. Like creating infinite colors by mixing primary colors, the four DISC personality profiles can be mixed to form innumerable personality blends.
Each personality style has been detailed below
Dominant
The general characteristic associated with Dominant personality style are direct, high ego strength, decisive, problem solver, self-starter and risk taker. In teams, they are bottom-line organizers who place value on time, challenge the status quo and are innovative. Their weaknesses include overstepping authority, dislike for routine, argumentative attitude and attempting too much at once. Their greatest fear is being taken advantage of. They are motivated by new challenges, power and authority that allows them to take risks and make decisions, changing environments, and freedom from routine and mundane tasks.
Influence
The general characteristics associated with Influence personality style are enthusiasm, trusting, persuasive, optimistic, talkative, impulsive and emotional. In teams, they encourage others, creative problem solvers, motivate other achieve, negotiate conflict, are peace makers and have a positive sense of humor. Their weaknesses include being more concerned with popularity than tangible results, low attention to detail, overuse of gestures and facial expressions and listening only when convenient to them. Their greatest fear is rejection. They are motivated by flattery, praise, acceptance, a friendly environment, freedom from many rules and regulations, and others available to handle details.
Steadiness
The general characteristics associated with Steadiness are team player, good listener, possessive, predictable, steady, understanding and friendly. In teams, they are loyal team workers, reliable and dependable, compliant towards authority and good at reconciling conflicts. Their possible weaknesses include resistance or taking a long time to adjust to change, holding a grudge and difficulty in establishing priorities. Their greatest fear is loss of security. They are motivated by safety and security, recognition for loyalty, and handling tasks that can be started and finished.
Compliance
The general characteristics associated with Compliance are accurate, conscientious, analytical, careful, precise, systematic and high standards. In teams, they are the anchors of reality, even-tempered, thorough and plan tasks. Their possible weaknesses include need for clear boundaries, need for procedures and methods, getting bogged down for details and giving in rather than standing up for their idea or opinion. Their greatest fear is criticism. They are motivated by high quality standards, detailed tasks and logical organization of information.
Conclusion
It is possible but quite rare that an individual only has Dominance within their personality traits, but it is more likely that they have Dominance as their primary factor. Taking in account an individual’s primary, secondary, tertiary and even considering the absent personality traits allows us to see the unique blend of their DISC personality type and how it affects their personal preferences, everyday actions, communication with other, reaction or avoidance of conflict, ability to organize and so on.
By understanding an individual’s DISC personality profiles blend, we can make sure to place the person in environments where they will feel empowered, better understand their actions and reactions and approach them in a way that they will react positively. Human behavior, although complex, is predictable.
