The Four Basic DISC Styles Overview

DISC is a four-quadrant model, focused on external, observable behaviours and an acronym for Dominance, Influence (or Interactive), Steadiness and Conscientiousness (or Compliant) behaviour. Below are two summary charts to help you understand some more about the characteristics of each of the four basic DISC styles.

DISC in its simplest form is understanding the axis of the quadrant model:

The X axis of behaviour is Direct and Fast Paced (D and I) versus Indirect and Slower Paced (S and C).
Y axis is Task Focused and Guarded (D and C) versus People Focused and Open (I and S).

Broadly speaking these are the most obvious ways in which people are known to behave differently. Understanding these different behaviours (which does not take a lot of time) enables someone to more effectively read and develop rapport with others. Fundamentally, DISC is a tool to enhance relationships, build more productive teams and work performances. You can also use DISC to prepare presentations, pitch sales material and develop stronger relationships with your clients.

Use the below chart to get a strong overview of each of the four DISC styles.

	HIGH DOMINANCE	HIGH INFLUENCE	HIGH STEADINESS	HIGH CONSCEINTIOUS
PACE	Fast/Decisive	Fast/Spontaneous	Slower/Relaxed	Slower/Systematic
PRIORITY	Goal	People	Relationship	Task
SEEKS	Results Control	Participation Applause	Acceptance	Accuracy Precision
STRENGTHS	Challenges Leadership Pioneering	Persuading Motivating Entertaining	Listening Teamwork Follow-through	Planning Systematizing Orchestration
GROWTH AREAS	Impatient Insensitive to others Poor Listener	Inattentive to detail Short attention span Low follow-through	Oversensitive Slow to begin action Lacks global perspective	Perfectionists Critical Unresponsive
FEARS	Being taken advantage of	Loss of Social recognition	Sudden changes Instability	Personal criticism of their performance or technique
IRRITATIONS	Inefficiency Indecision	Routines Complexity	Insensitivity Impatience	Disorganization Impropriety
UNDER STRESS MAY BECOME	Dictatorial Critical	Sarcastic Superficial	Submissive Indecisive	Withdrawn Headstrong
GAINS SECURITY THROUGH	Control Leadership	Playfulness Others’ approval	Friendship, Cooperation	Preparation Thoroughness
MEASURES PERSONAL WORTH BY	Impact or results Track record and process	Acknowledgments Applause Compliments	Compatibility with others Depth of contribution	Precision, Accuracy Quality of results
AT WORK	Efficient Busy, fast paced Structured	Interacting Busy, Big picture Personal	Friendly Functional Personal	Formal, Procedural Functional, Detailed Structured

Want to know more about DISC? Get a strong and useful understanding of the four DISC behavioural styles. Click here to read more about each of the four DISC behavioural styles.

At Team 8, we’re here to provide you with excellence in service. If you’d like to discuss DISC or the Team 8 DISC behavioural profiles or if you have any questions, please Contact Us – we are here to help you!