Understand the fundamental principles that underpin the DiSC® model
How DiSC Works: Two Dimensions of Human Behaviour
The DiSC model is based on two dimensions that reflect fundamental aspects of human nature. They are represented by these two axes:
VERTICAL DIMENSION:
CAUTIOUS-BOLD
The vertical considers whether you are more ‘fast-paced and outspoken’ at the top of the circle OR more ‘cautious and reflective’ at the bottom of the circle.
HORIZONTAL DIMENSION:
QUESTIONING-ACCEPTING
The horizontal considers whether you are more ‘accepting and warm’ on the right side of the circle OR more ‘questioning and sceptical’ on the left side of the circle.
The intersection of these two dimensions creates the four basic styles or quadrants of the DiSC model.
The Four Quadrants of DiSC®
Those with the ‘D’ (Dominance) style tend to be ‘questioning and sceptical ‘and ‘fast paced and outspoken’
Those with the ‘i’ (influence) style tend to be ‘fast paced and outspoken’ and ‘accepting and warm’
Those with the ‘S’ (Steadiness) style tend to be ‘accepting and warm’ and ‘cautious and reflective’
Those with the ‘C’ (Conscientiousness) style tend to be ‘cautious and reflective’ and ‘fast paced and outspoken’
Dominance style (DC,D,Di)
Priorities: getting immediate results, taking action, challenging themselves and others
Motivated by: power and authority, competition, winning, success
Fears: loss of control, being taken advantage of, vulnerability
Limitations: lack of concern for others, impatience, insensitivity
How to bring out the best in the Dominance style:
- Get to the point quickly
- Do what you can to respect their need for autonomy
- Avoid small talk
- Be clear about rules and expectations
- Whenever possible, let the person initiate action
- Demonstrate your own competence
- Display independence
- Focus on results
Influence style (iD, I, iS)
Priorities: expressing enthusiasm, taking action, encouraging collaboration
Motivated by: social recognition, group activities, friendly relationships
Fears: social rejection, disapproval, loss of influence, being ignored
Limitations: impulsiveness, disorganization, lack of follow-through
How to bring out the best in the influence style:
- Show that you are open to collaborating with them
- Talk about the bigger picture rather than the details
- Be friendly
- Appreciate the value of their energy and enthusiasm
- Seek ways to recognise them so they feel well-liked and appreciated
- Emphasise the positives
- Listen
- Be more informal
Steadiness (Si, S, SC)
Priorities: giving support, maintaining stability, enjoying the collaboration
Motivated by: stable environments, sincere appreciation, cooperation, opportunities to help
Fears: loss of stability, change, loss of harmony, offending others
Limitations: overly accommodating, tendency to avoid change, indecisiveness
How to bring out the best in the Steadiness style:
- Show warmth and concern for their feelings
- Take an easy-going approach
- Respect that they might be more cautious
- Show that you care
- Offer support
- Consider people’s feelings when making decisions
- Avoid being forceful
- Create a more predictable and orderly environment
Conscientiousness (CS, C, CD)
Priorities: ensuring accuracy, maintaining stability, challenging assumptions
Motivated by: opportunities to use expertise or gain knowledge, attention to quality
Fears: criticism, slipshod methods, being wrong
Limitations: overly critical, tendency to overanalyze, isolates self
How to bring out the best in the Conscientiousness style:
- Focus on facts, logic and the details
- Expect some scepticism
- Allow them time for careful analysis
- Avoid focusing on emotion
- Expect criticism and know they will be sensitive to criticism
- Know that they may not enjoy socialising
- Back up what you are saying with evidence and data
- Appreciate their need to constantly raise standards
Become an Expert DiSC Facilitaitor
Online Everything DiSC Facilitator Training
This Online Everything DiSC Facilitator Training is for coaches, consultants and trainers with little or no knowledge of psychometric tools and/or the DiSC model who wish to take a deep dive into Everything model DiSC and learn how to use it in your training and coaching delivery.
You will learn the fundamentals of the Everything DiSC model and Everything DiSC profiling and have the opportunity to develop confidence and expertise as a DiSC coach and DiSC facilitator. On sessions two and three, you will be given the opportunity to give an effective coaching feedback sessions using someone’s profile, to be coached using your own DiSC profile and to design a part of a DiSC training programme and deliver it to other delegates on the course.
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