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What is the DiSC SC type?

8 min read

People with a DiSC® style of SC value stability and minimizing risk. They tend to be modest, patient, and soft-spoken. SC-style people are cautious and reflective, thinking things through before speaking. They tend to be thoughtful and dependable, and typically prefer working behind the scenes toward group efforts.

SC style graphic with priorities: stability, support, accuracy

The DiSC® SC personality type at a glance

  • Traits: Patient, consistent, cautious, passive, reliable, soft-spoken, humble, diplomatic
  • Driven by: Need for stability and harmony
  • Anxieties: Time pressure, uncertainty, chaos
  • Influences others by: Diplomacy, self-control, consistency
  • In tense situations: Becomes inflexible, hinders spontaneity, complies

DiSC style blends: SC

Circle showing the 8 scales: four continua which intersect at the middle

Everything DiSC® assessments measure respondents on eight scales: D (Dominance), Di/iD, i (influence), iS/Si, S (Steadiness), SC/CS, C (Conscientiousness), and CD/DC. As you might expect, people with the SC style score highest on the SC/CS scale. S-style folks are often supportive and warm. People with C styles are probably orderly and precise. SC styles are a blend of the two, with a little more S in the mix.

Everyone is a blend of all DiSC styles, but most people tend toward one or two. All DiSC styles are equal and valuable in their own ways.

What is the opposite DiSC style of SC?

You can get a new perspective on the SC style by looking across the DiSC circumplex to the Di style. The behaviors you observe in Di-style people are likely quite different from the SC-type person’s default settings. SC-style people may display Di-style behaviors at times, but it will likely take them quite a bit of energy to do so.

Circle showing the 12 style wedges. The SC wedge is highlighted.

Because the SC style is opposite the Di style, SC-style people likely score lower on Di-scale measurements like assertiveness and bold action. SC folks generally like to keep a low profile, while Di folks enjoy the spotlight. But you should always remember that each person who takes a DiSC assessment is unique, and some people have priorities in styles outside their own.

Image showing the active-to-reflective dimension and the skeptical-to-accepting dimension

What motivates the SC style?

People with SC styles are motivated by maintaining stability, giving support, and ensuring accuracy.

Stability

  • SC styles thrive in safe, predictable environments.
  • They enjoy working steadily toward a goal.
  • They tend to follow reliable, well-established procedures.

Support

  • People with SC personalities find fulfillment in supporting others who are facing challenges.
  • They generally enjoy working behind the scenes rather than having the pressure of the spotlight.
  • They like being part of a larger group effort, taking pride in what people can accomplish together.

Accuracy

  • SC-type people tend to prioritize accuracy more than other S styles.
  • They like catching errors, bringing organization to a project, and working with precision.
  • They take pride in maintaining high standards for the quality of their work.

What are the SC style’s driving assumptions?

Driving assumptions are the often-unconscious beliefs that direct a person’s behavior. Even if the person would never argue the validity of these statements in the light of day, a core part of them believes them to be true. These assumptions shape a person’s personality and choices.

For the SC style, thoughts such as these may drive their behavior:

  • I shouldn’t trouble other people, or be the source of their unhappiness.
  • I don’t actually know what I’m doing. My opinions are half-baked. Other people’s opinions must be more informed than mine.
  • I’m valuable when I make other people happy.
  • If my world isn’t in harmony, then things are bad.

There are positive and negative aspects of these beliefs. They lead SC-style people to take great care with the feelings of others. These beliefs discourage egotism and rash decisions that may harm others, and encourage the creation of kind and empathetic spaces. However, they can also make SC-type people appear timid and submissive, leading to other people not taking their ideas or needs seriously.

How does the SC style handle stress?

SC-style personalities are especially sensitive to stressors that upset the stability they crave. They value dependable outcomes and may become anxious in an environment that is too unpredictable.

  • You may not notice when someone with an SC style is stressed. They maintain a calm exterior, seemingly unbothered.
  • Because they don’t like to be seen as a burden to others, they try to work through problems internally.
  • They tend to resist asking for help or sympathy, even when others would be happy to be of use in that way.
  • SC styles can become withdrawn and passive during stressful times, hoping the stress lessens without them having to take action.

How can I work well with SC-style people?

There are many reasons to be grateful for SC-type colleagues. They are humble and supportive folks who want what’s best for the group. They hold themselves to high standards, and they won’t leave a task half-finished.

Tips for working with SC personality types:

  • Look for subtle clues that they are stressed or upset. They internalize a lot and may not feel comfortable speaking up.
  • Let them know when something requires more urgency. Otherwise, they will likely default to a slow and steady pace.
  • Likewise, be clear about deadlines for decisions. SC styles like to deliberate and consider their options carefully.
  • Know that they are not likely to self-promote. Notice their contributions and show gratitude.
  • Invite their perspectives and give them space to speak. Jumping into a lively debate or cutting someone off is uncomfortable for these styles.
  • Demonstrate that you are taking others’ feelings and the needs of the group into account, not just serving your own ego.

The SC style and teamwork

SC-type people, along with other S styles, often find themselves as peacemakers in group situations. They want everyone to get along, and don’t mind compromising if it means achieving that harmony. They like to support their teammates, which is often helpful, but at other times it means they fail to hold their colleagues accountable. SC styles are more likely to just take on extra work themselves than confront someone about not pulling their weight.

SC-style people are less likely than other styles to see themselves as the “main character” in any given situation. Their humility and ability to see things from other points of view are assets to teams.

Strengths of SC-style teammates:

  • humble, not ego-driven
  • enjoy collaboration
  • meticulous
  • willing to do the less-glamorous behind-the-scenes work that may bore others
  • even-tempered and diplomatic

Challenges of SC-style teammates:

  • risk-averse
  • hesitant to make independent decisions
  • passive or compliant during conflict
  • can be overly “by the book” as a safeguard against blame
  • prefer a steady pace that may not be right for every project

Read more: Team building

What if there are many SC-style people on a team?

The combination of DiSC styles within a group creates a larger DiSC group culture. When a group displays an S culture (with many people of S, Si, and SC styles) it tends to be stable, predictable, and friendly. We call this the “get along” team.

Advantages of the SC group culture:

  • has high standards for accuracy and quality
  • strives to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable
  • displays a sense of loyalty and duty

Drawbacks of the SC group culture:

  • risk-averse
  • indecisive
  • lets problems fester

Read more: DiSC S group culture

Which careers are good for DiSC SC personalities?

This is a common question with a complex answer. The truth is that people of any personality type can succeed in any field. Basing career decisions (or hiring decisions) on personality type alone is not recommended.

Your DiSC profile can be one data point of many you consider when looking at careers. Review what your DiSC profile says about your priorities and where you get your energy to help frame your search for fulfilling work.

For example, people with SC styles often like to work in stable, supportive environments where people can accomplish their tasks without a lot of pressure. They enjoy the opportunity to help others and produce high-quality work. That doesn’t mean they should limit themselves to these environments, though. It is healthy to try things outside of one’s comfort zone.

There are many career fields for SC styles to explore, such as scientific research, finance, editing, coding, audio production, archival or museum work, farming or forestry, or data analysis. But remember, people of all styles find success in all industries.

Everything DiSC Workplace priorities map
Review your priorities when considering a career change. Image: Everything DiSC Workplace® priorities map.

Do SC personality types make good leaders, managers, and salespeople?

Are SC types good leaders?

People of all DiSC styles make good leaders. Every style has its strengths and challenges when it comes to leadership. In fact, the most effective leaders frequently move between styles as they go throughout their day.

SC-style people are humble leaders: composed, modest, and fair-minded. They exemplify the “servant leader” mindset. They tend to be cautious, consistent, and supportive.

In 360-degree-type assessments, SC-style leaders tend to be rated highly on things like:

  • being receptive to other people’s needs
  • maintaining their composure during stress
  • showing diplomacy
  • staying open to input
  • facilitating dialogue

Read more: SC-type leaders

Humble leaders: maintaining composure, showing modesty, being fair-minded

What are SC-style people like as managers?

Managers with the DiSC SC style prioritize reliability. They are:

  • a steadying influence
  • dependable and true to their word
  • patient listeners
  • willing to put the team’s needs ahead of their own

SC managers want the opportunity to help people grow and succeed. They guide their team in a steady, dependable way, and may need to be reminded that it’s good to take a risk sometimes.

SC-type managers probably enjoy:

  • supporting people so they can do their best work
  • creating efficient systems or procedures
  • creating a safe, predictable environment

SC-type managers likely don’t enjoy:

  • making quick decisions without time for analysis
  • improvising a new course of action
  • having to argue for their point of view
Priorities map from Everything DiSC Management
Priorities map from Everything DiSC® Management

Read more: Management

Do SC-style people make good salespeople?

Every DiSC style has natural strengths and challenges when it comes to sales. That’s why you’ll find successful salespeople with all different styles.

SC-style salespeople take pride in following through on their word. They want customers to know they won’t just close the deal and run.

Other characteristics of SC salespeople:

  • consistent
  • well-prepared
  • reliable
  • guide customers rather than pressure them
  • tactful and diplomatic
  • treat people with respect
  • good listeners

The overriding priority for salespeople with SC personality types is dependability.

Everything DiSC Sales priorities
Everything DiSC® Sales priorities

How does the SC personality type deal with conflict?

Most people with SC styles try to avoid conflict when possible. They value stability and harmony, and conflict threatens that. When conflict does arise, SC styles often put their needs aside and look for ways to bring everyone together.

Conflict is a part of every workplace, and many studies show that some amount of conflict is actually healthy, when this conflict is productive, not destructive.

Priorities map from Everything DiSC Productive Conflict
Priorities map from Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict

Tendencies of SC styles that are productive during conflict:

  • maintaining a calm demeanor
  • separating emotions from facts
  • listening to what others have to say
  • looking for compromise

Tendencies of SC styles that are destructive during conflict:

  • giving in to please others
  • letting issues simmer
  • isolating or withdrawing
  • becoming defensive

If you are in conflict with someone with an SC style, try these tips:

  • Give them time to figure out and articulate their position. They are likely internal, rather than verbal, processors.
  • Keep volatility to a minimum.
  • Encourage them not to withdraw.
  • Realize that they may not tell you when you say something hurtful to them.
  • If you also have a similar style, you’ll need to remind each other of your mutual tendency to withdraw and instead commit to speaking your mind.
Conflict behaviors in the Five Behaviors model
The Five Behaviors® model discusses healthy and unhealthy behavior during conflict. For SC styles, you can see that a healthy behavior is encouraging a calm demeanor and an unhealthy behavior is retreating from the conflict.

Is the DiSC SC style emotionally intelligent?

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is not a single trait. Rather, it is a way of responding to different situations. Like all DiSC styles, SC-type people have both natural EQ strengths and challenges.

Of the eight EQ mindsets described in Everything DiSC Agile EQ, SC styles align most closely with the composed mindset. This means SC-style people are likely to:

  • reflect before acting
  • moderate their responses
  • exercise diplomacy
  • contribute to a state of calm
  • listen with patience
  • follow through on their commitments
Priorities map for Everything DiSC Agile EQ
Priorities map for Everything DiSC® Agile EQ™

What are some growth opportunities for DiSC SC styles?

Unlike many other personality assessments, Everything DiSC is developmental rather than solely descriptive. People who take the assessment gain not only self-understanding but an individualized plan for personal growth.

SC-style people may benefit from working on:

  • taking a firm stance
  • working at a faster pace sometimes
  • taking initiative, being proactive
  • being more open and less guarded with others
  • holding others accountable
  • projecting confidence
  • delegating

What is my DiSC style?

Do you have the DiSC SC personality type? If so, how does yours differ from the typical SC type? Taking a DiSC assessment is the first step toward meeting many personal development goals. Not only will you understand your own behaviors more, but you’ll learn how to form better relationships at home and work. We recommend starting your DiSC journey with Everything DiSC Workplace.

Author

Avery Harris-Gray

SC style, NY based. Writing about Everything DiSC and The Five Behaviors since 2020. Leadership style: humble. EQ mindset: composed. I always have snacks to share.

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