DISC describes four personality types
Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t trust someone because you just knew they were not to be trusted? Have you ever been unfairly considered as untrustworthy? Chances are if you have ever been in either of these situations the problem is personal. Or more correctly, your personality.
One of the simplest to learn and easiest to use personality frameworks is called DISC. Each of the letters stands for a particular personality type. Most people have a default primary type. Some people also have a secondary type.
Dominants (D’s) are hardworking, goal-oriented people who can be so direct others may think they are rude. They want to get things done fast and like to be in charge to ensure that happens. When hindered from fast progress or prevented from having the leadership position they can get angry.
Influencers (I’s) are bubbly and creative people people. As the life of the party they can be fun to be around, but their fascination with new things means others can suspect they are shallow. They like everything to be fun and revel when they are the centre of attention as the star of the show. If they are ignored they may sulk in retreat or double down on their extroversion, exaggerating the truth and their critical role in it.
Supporters (S’s) are steady and gentle people who are great listeners and watchers. They want to go the flow and find the easiest way to get there without conflict. They adapt to avoid obstacles like water flowing around a rock. This can lead others to think they are lazy. Avoiding conflict means they tend to get directed by the other types. But if you push them to far they suddenly become impressively stubborn or shockingly ‘go postal’.
Conscientious (C’s) are careful analysers, planners, risk assessors and rule makers. They yearn for a perfect world and tend to design systems and processes to ensure neat order. Of course the world is far from perfect and this gets this type down. They may complain to a higher authority, demand punishments for transgressors or have a physical break down if things become to chaotic for too long for them. Other types mistake them for being too strict and too stingy even though they can care deeply at their core.
The differences in the DISC types extends to issues of trust. Your type indicates who you are more likely to trust. It also provides clues about how you are likely to create distrust with the other types.
Dominants trust people who are direct. When I’s try to be charming, D’s feel like they are being swindled. When S’s try to avoid conflict, D’s feel like they are trying to avoid being held accountable. When C’s go into too much detail, the D’s being to suspect they will be hindered in achieving whatever goal they are focused on at the time. Any of these interactions can cause them to lose trust because a D is looking for followers who will toe the line and help the push to get their goal. It is far better to challenge a D head on rather than smooth talk, avoid or complicate any issues.
Influencers tend to trust everyone at first. People who are open retain their trust. S’s who are happy to listen to them talk about their themselves and their latest exploits rarely lose an I’s trust. I’s don’t get on well with C’s because rules and processes are not fun to comply with. Worse still is how C’s insist on equity. That does not work for I’s who want to be the exception and stand out from the crowd. This makes it harder for I’s and C’s to form lasting relationships where trust can build. I’s can generally trust D’s because their directness is inherently open.
Supporters trust people who are accepting. Some start by giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. Others may be shy at first. They hang back to make sure they are not opening themselves up to conflict by trusting too soon. D’s lose trust with S’s when they push to hard. I’s lose trust with S’s when they talk publicly in a way that ‘outs’ them. Public embarrassment is a situation S’s prefer to avoid. C’s lose trust with S’s when they punish them for transgressions. Striving for perfectionism is not worth the effort for most S’s to commit to.
Conscientous are probably the most inherently trustworthy of all the DISC types. They are also the least trusting of others. Many develop an almost sacred, strict personal code. C’s follow the ethical rules they set for themselves perfectly and get very dubious of others who don’t. C’s don’t trust D’s who move too fast because they fear details will be missed and risks ignored. They rarely trust I’s because they judge them as a risk. I’s will share gossip about anyone (including themselves) simply for the interest value. I’s will also readily make promises but then get distracted and fail to deliver. For C’s failing to keep confidences or promises are deep betrayals. C’s are wary of S’s because they suspect S’s tend to be more relaxed with scruples.
Whatever DISC type you identify most with try to remember not everyone is like you. If you are a Dominant remember to slow down and bring others with you. When you keep smashing through barriers it is often those around you who take the brunt of the shrapnel. If they don’t trust you they won’t follow you. If you are an Influencer be more circumspect when gossiping (even about yourself) and be more reticent before you promise anything. Ever. If you do promise then deliver even if it gets difficult or boring. Especially try to hold back more around C’s because you often need to trust them to get the details right. If you are an Supporter remember to consider how your great adaptability may seem like a cop out in some situations to the other types (especially the C’s). The other types want to rely on you. This is not nearly so much a burden as it might seem to be because its always easier if we all work together. Finally if you are a Conscientious, please give the rest of us a break when the stakes are low. Nobody is perfect (even you) and your constant need to impose such high standards is hard for the rest of us to bear. There are times when we all really appreciate your precision and attention to detail (surgery, landing planes, balancing accounts, and food hygiene especially come to mind). But there are times when you are so rigid it can seem pompously pedantic for no other reason than to gratify your ego or insecurities.
Robert Dew is a D+I in the DISC types who has failed to keep all but one of his C friends. He is also a Founding Partner at CapFeather Global with more than 2o years of corporate consulting and university lecturing in Innovation, Customer Strategy and Customer Experience. His PhD related to improving creativity in strong corporate governance environments. He has also done 60+ start-ups.