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People-reading with Everything DiSC®

3 min read

Why is it helpful to know someone’s DiSC® style?

We make judgments about people as soon as we meet them. We can’t help it. These assumptions help us communicate and relate to others. DiSC helps you make better-informed judgments that you can refine as you learn more about a person. Reading someone’s body language, noticing their pacing, and listening for the types of questions they ask can all inform your reading of another. These initial hypotheses of style can help you provide better customer service or reduce someone’s stress.

We expect others to pick up on our social signals. If I check the time, that probably means I want you to finish talking. If I act excited, I’d probably welcome you joining me in expressing delight.

We naturally mirror the actions, dress, gestures, volume, and tone of others in order to show our affiliation or support of them. Why not consciously use this one aspect of behavior to be a bit more persuasive and build rapport with others?

Observable behaviors

Everything DiSC model: Active vs. ThoughtfulWhile humans do love to speculate on the motives and desires of others, DiSC only addresses observable behavior. Perhaps the easiest one to observe is pace. Does he seem in a hurry, does she interrupt, is he direct or blunt? Then we can speculate that this person’s priorities put them in the northern quadrant of the DiSC circle.

You have to listen and watch a bit more closely for the next pair of behaviors around agreeability. Does he act friendly almost immediately? Is she asking questions about who and how? Is he nodding or showing that he wants to welcome you or your ideas? Then we can assume this person is comfortable in the east quadrant of the DiSC circle.

Everything DiSC model: Questioning vs Accepting

Examples

Subject A

Observed behaviors: Assertive, louder voice, big gestures, fast-paced
People-reading: Likely a D or an i

Observed behaviors: Questioning, results focused, direct, intentional
People-reading: Likely a D (not an i)

Possible responses: Let the conversation get loud without worrying that it signals anger, get to the point fast, suggest an action

Subject B

Observed behaviors: Soft voice, thoughtful and calm
People-reading: Likely a C or an S

Observed behaviors: Warm greeting, patient, curious about you
People-reading: Likely an S (not a C)

Possible responses: Keep the conversation diplomatic, show sincere appreciation, suggest getting others involved, offer reassurances

Summary chart

DiSC style Behaviors Priorities
Direct
Fast-paced
Questioning
Skeptical
Firm
Impatient
Results
Challenge
Action
A i-style world cloud in a silhouette of a person's head Expressive
Fast-paced
Sociable
Accepting
Enthusiastic
Emotional
Enthusiasm
Action
Collaboration
An S-style world cloud in a silhouette of a person's head Friendly
Accepting
Warm
Patient
Empathetic
Conforming
Support
Collaboration
Stability
A C-style world cloud in a silhouette of a person's head Questioning
Analytical
Thoughtful
Cautious
Reflective
Stubborn
Accuracy
Challenge
Stability

Final caution

We are making assumptions. You can’t know one’s real style without an assessment. Sickness, stress, recent events, emotional intelligence, purpose, and other things can influence the style you observe. For example, people who meet me at small group functions often think I’m expressive and enthusiastic. For that time period and with that group, I am. But those are the behaviors I choose to display at that time.

We are all a collection of the four styles. We can all display behaviors more commonly seen in other DiSC styles. We just have to expend more energy to stretch into other styles. For example, after I’ve stretched into i-type behaviors with my small group, I’ll need to take some time by myself to recover. An i-style person who had to work in spreadsheets all day probably found it stressful and is now going to want to hang out with friends to recover lost energy.

People-reading is a first step to understanding another. You still need to confirm assumptions. People-reading is a way to begin a relationship, but to strengthen one you’ll need to learn much more about each other’s personality and character.

DiSC graphic with the text "We are not D, i, S, or C. We are D, i, S, *and* C."
Author

Kristeen Bullwinkle

Steeped in Everything DiSC since 2010. Strongly inclined CD style. Leadership style and EQ mindset: resolute. Believes strongly in the serial comma.

Certifications from Wiley:
Everything DiSC, The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team

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