What Are the 4 DiSC Personality Types?
Taking personality tests is always fun, but there are some tests that are more accurate than others. Some have links to psychology and are rooted in science and research, and these are the personality types or personality models that you should take to heart.
They can help you to understand yourself more deeply. One such personality model is DiSC, which is made up of four behavioral styles or personality traits.
Below, we will go over the DiSC personality types in further detail, and will also go over what exactly the DiSC model is!
What Is a DiSC Personality Type?
First things first, what is a DiSC personality type, exactly? The DiSC personality model is a self-assessment and behavioural assessment tool, where a person can find their personality type and then use it as a tool to better understand themselves, including some of the inclinations or day-to-day they might have, for instance.
The DiSC assessment and DiSC personality styles are based on the DiSC emotional and behavioural theory of the psychologist William Moulton Marston, in 1928.
DiSC assessments are often used in the workplace to develop job performance, but it can have a more holistic application to a person’s life as well–not just for work.
When a person is placed in their DiSC quadrant, they usually fall into more than one category and can be considered to mainly be a combination of 2 dimensions.
What Are the 4 DiSC Personality Types?
There are four DiSC model personality types that make up the DiSC personality model and assessment.
These are known as Dominance (or D), Influence (or i), Steadiness (or S), and Conscientiousness (or C).
DiSC is therefore an acronym for these personality types! Take a look below to learn more about each of these 4 DiSC styles/personality types and their unique characteristics.
Dominance
The first of these 4 personality types is the D in the acronym of DiSC. D stands for Dominance, and can also be referred to as High D types. Those who are D personality types have a particular set of traits. They are usually focused, inspirational, and independent.
They are also strong-willed and self-reliant individuals. If a person is a type D personality, they often like to take risks and do well as self-starters. They operate by looking at the big picture of things and use that to help them determine the next steps they should take in their work or life to achieve what they want or need to achieve.
Some of the things that a D-type personality type may struggle with are planning, details, and teamwork.
They may also be seen as intimidating because they can be forceful and impatient.
Influence
Next is the I in the DiSC acronym, which stands for Influence. If a person has an exclusive i personality, they are also known as a High i personality. If a person has an i personality, they have traits such as being sociable and energetic.
They have the unique ability to highlight the positive, even in difficult situations, and this makes them great communicators, whether in the workplace or every day. i types have an outgoing nature and great social skills.
However, there are some weaknesses with I type personalities, just as there are with any personality type. i types can struggle with consistency and with being able to offer predictability. They may also seek verbal approval often to feel recognized, especially when at work.
They do best when they are working with or spending time with people, and enjoy a faster pace, both in thief work life and in their home life!
Steadiness
The S in the DiSC acronym stands for Steadiness. Steadiness, or the S type, is the 3rd of the 4 DiSC personality types. When a person has only S type personality type, they are also referred to as being a High S type.
In the workplace especially, the S type of people can be a bridge between authority and the rest of the team, and this comes from their steady, calm, and dependable dispositions. They can serve as a similar bridge in their home life with family and friends as well.
They are able to understand both sides of a situation and can evaluate everything thoroughly. People with this personality type have strong listening and communication skills. S types make great mediators or peacemakers.
Some of the weaknesses of S type personality types include struggling to deal with angry individuals and struggling to provide negative feedback, for instance.
Conscientiousness
Last but not least, we come to the C in the DiSC style. The C stands for Conscientiousness, and those who only have this personality type are called High C types. This is a personality type that really strives for perfection.
They may be referred to as perfectionists, and are typically data-driven, detail-oriented, and highly organized. C types also strive for accuracy, especially when they are at work. People with this personality type are logical thinkers and are not influenced by their emotions very easily, as other personality types might.
They are known to be insightful and focused. However, there are some weaknesses of C types, too. For instance, in the workplace, they do not do well with projects that they do not have enough information to act on.
They might need a slower-paced work environment to thrive–as well as a slower pace in their home life, often, as well.
Combinations of DiSC Personality Types
Above, we went over the 4 DiSC personality types, which are right in the name of this particular personality assessment! Each letter in DiSC signifies one of the 4 personality types. However, it is also possible for there to be some additional personality types.
This occurs when a person falls into more than one personality type. Usually, they are a combination of 2 different DISC personality types.
If a person is only one personality type, they are, for example, a High D type. If they are only C, they would be a high C personality type, and so on.
The combinations of DiSC personality types are limited to combinations of 2 different types. This also means that a person who has a combination of DISC personality types can have some of the strengths of both of these DISC types—as well as some of the weaknesses of both, too.
The combination personality types are:
- DC (Dominant and Conscientiousness)
- DI (Dominance and Influence)
- ID (Influence and Dominance)
- IS (Influence and Steadiness)
- SI (Steadiness and Influence)
- SC (Steadiness and Conscientiousness)
- CD (Conscientiousness and Dominance)
- CS (Conscientiousness and Steadiness)
And remember, everyone is a blend of all four styles. Our preferences and tendencies are what the DiSC model is meant to represent. And by learning about our preferences and those of the people we work with, we can form better relationships.
DiSC Personality Test
It is important to have insights into what personality strengths you need in roles you need to hire for and to recognize what personalities complement one another on teams. What do you and your people bring to the table? At Evolved Metrics, we offer in-depth personality assessments and everything DiSC assessments that provide insights not only for the individuals on your team but for how various personalities and behavioural styles work together. Through the DiSC profile, you will be able to determine where you land in the four basic behavioral styles. The DiSC test brings valuable insights and clarity between individuals and teams and fosters more understanding and collaboration.
Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and your DiSC assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common DISC style?
The most common of the 4 DISC personality types is the S personality type. The S stands for Steadiness, so this can also be referred to as the Steadiness personality type.
This particular personality type was discovered to be the most common personality type in 2019 and was found to make up 32% of the global population.
What is the most uncommon DISC personality type?
Of the 4 personality types that make up the DISC personality types, the most uncommon is the D personality type. The D personality type is also called the Dominant personality type, so you may have heard it referred to as this.
There was a study that was performed in 2019, called the Extended DISC 2019 Validation Study. This 2019 study found that the D-style personality type was the least common worldwide, and it makes up only 9% of the world’s population.
This is significantly lower than the most common DISC personality type, the S type!
What is the best DISC personality type for a leader?
Personality types have their own sets of pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses. This means that different people will do well in different types of roles in a company, or even just in life, depending upon their personality type!
This is also true when it comes to the 4 personality types that are known as the DISC personality types.
It is usually said that the S, or Steadiness, personality role is the DISC personality type that is best suited to be a leader or for leadership roles. Their steadiness can help to put people at ease and help a leader seem dependable.
What are the 4 personality quadrants?
There is a personality program that used to be referred to as the 4 quadrant personality program, but these days, it is also referred to as the DISC model.
Hippocrates championed the 4 quadrant personality program, and the 4 personality types that are part of it were referred to as Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic, and Phlegmatic.
The 4 personality types or personality quadrants for the DISC model are called Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. Of course, each of these personality quadrants has its own special sets of strengths and weaknesses that can take a person through their life.
