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Has anyone encountered what I seem to be experiencing? I am a High C (detail, detail, detail) and find it extremely difficult to categorize others' DISC types. I'm fairly sure it comes down to the fact that very few people show traits from only a single DISC type. And once I see traits that indicate multiple types, I can't seem to decide which they type(s) they are. Everyone can't be all four types, but I can see something of all four in almost everyone. Analysis paralysis.... So, short of giving everyone in my life a DISC test, I'm not finding this model very helpful. 

Thank you!

gehrhorn's picture
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Funny answer = all of them

D - doesn't care
I - assumes everyone else is an "I"
S - spends all the time thinking about how other people will react to his assessment, never gives it
C - reserves judgement pending collecting all the data

:-D. I'll think on it and see if I have any real thoughts.

tlhausmann's picture
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mbest00,

At the risk of over generalizing, it might be hardest for a High C personality. Like you, I am a very high C.

Because all people can exhibit some tendencies at any time--make it a task to focus on communication tendencies. Review their email, vary your "think" versus "feel" questions and see where you get a better response...then, at the very least, you will have a top level idea. A C tendency likes perfect, precise answers...just make it a task on your list to broadly classify task vs relationship and outgoing vs reserved.

Armed with that much will make your communication more effective.

gehrhorn's picture
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I'll geve you my "real answer". I'm High D / High I. I find it hardest to recognize "S". I can see it, but I have a hard time emphathizing with their point of view. 

Doris_O's picture

mbest00,
Have you listened to the Simple Behavioral Communication Clues podcast yet? I'm reviewing it again today to get a better read on my new staff.

I'm high D/C. I find that I have the most difficult time recognizing "S" because how they communicate generally seems illogical to me. I've learned that if someone's communication style is irritating me, but I can't get a good read on their DISC profile, then they are probably an "S". 

Doris

 

 

 

ashdenver's picture

Everyone CAN and IS all four types - which is why the DISC result gives a numerical score for each category. With all the data and detail you gather about a person, generalize - which are they most like? How do they react or respond most often?

I'm a High D (7) and moderate C (5) with the others pretty low (I of 1 and S of 2) so where you might see an S trait slip through now and then, you'll usually find me taking notes/gathering data or just making decisions outright.

DRD282's picture
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I definitely agree with Doris. Listen to the Behavioral clues podcast, that helps a ton.

That said, I'm a High S and, ironically, I have a very easy time identifying DISC profiles. I can usually get a decent read on someone immediately, and either confirm or adjust that assessment over the course of a few interactions. And honestly it changes from time to time. My CEO started out as a very High C / High S and has recently (last 2 years or so) gotten a lot of High D tendencies by necessity of his role. But he approaches High D like a High C...wants to get things done, but is still very methodical about his approach, how he checks in on it, etc.

And I do believe that High S is probably the hardest to diagnose, because their predominant trait is that they are not outgoing and do not put themselves out there a lot. So if you are having trouble identifying someone, then start checking off their behavior against the High S checklist and see if it matches.

- Do they ask "what do you think?" after stating an opinion. Or hedge in other ways like "well, here's what I think..." instead of making statements of fact?
- Do they react very poorly to negative criticism?

And, as I'm just realizing that I'm listing mostly "negative" traits, here are some positive ones
- Can they tell you specific personal details about everyone in their immediate workgroup (team/office/department)?
- Are they the person that your team tends to go to vent or when they are stressed?

Tim