Thoughts on the DiSC Profile 1: Thoughts on ‘S’

We use the DiSC profile with out staff team.* I’m a high D, high i, with a fair bit of C and hardly any S. It’s really helpful. And because it is simple and behaviour-oriented, it’s easier to process, in my experience that the EYUT, GHTJ, ABCD Myers-Briggs thingo. Better to have a slightly simplistic, Mickey-Mouse tool that’s easy to use, than a highly accurate and hard to remember tool, in my opinion.


Anyways, I thought I’d share some random bits and pieces about the DiSC profile. Some of this is observations I have picked up that I haven’t read so explicitly in the typical profile descriptions. Please don’t be offended if some of my observations might seem critical of your personality type. I assure you that I will be just as critical of the other types - including mine!


Some observations on S:



  1. S loves familiar routines and rhythms. If you can give a familiar routine and rhythm you will get more out of them.

  2. But in this, S types can find it hard to thing outside that routine. If criticised they will defend the familiar. They will tend to present evaluations within the bounds of the familiar.

  3. S people can seem details-oriented but often it’s in the sense of a hobbyist or a specialist, rather than seeing everything globally and analytically as a C type might. They may even completely discount facts and ideas for personal/intuitive reasons. As a result, beware of putting too much trust in their reports and systems.

  4. S people, while highly relational, are relational in an introverted, holding things close, feeling things deeply kind of way. As a result sometimes they can come across quite clumsy - or even harsh - in personal interactions because they have over-thought stuff so much first!

  5. The less comfortable with something an S it seems like the less it fully exists in their world. Giving an S a task they are not familiar with will probably lead to vague or non-existent reporting and lack of urgency.

  6. In a big way, caring for the people they care about is caring for them and motivating for them.

  7. Because S types are so relational they are often hopeless with task-oriented communication - like SMS and email. Frustratingly vague, curt, muddled. But they are masters at social media - S types makes the best bloggers and Facebookers, if they can handle the negative comments!

  8. It is so important to raise ideas, plans, and especially criticisms with them early, and then give them time to think and process and feel through it all - and then invite them to share their thoughts, worries and feelings.

  9. If you want to motivate an S, don’t give them more information and inspiration. Instead draw close to them. I’ve been amazed how investing in the personal life of S type personalities ends up re-energising them with work, helping them feel focussed, confident and empowered.


*You can purchase it here - we used the Workplace Profile. You can also take a free one here.






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