Are You a 6… or a 7? If you’re not Gen Z, that question might sound confusing. It’s a simple example of how generations communicate differently—and how DISC personality styles can help us better understand one another.
What's the "6 or 7" Craze Anyway?
If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you may have heard someone ask, “Be honest… are you a 6 or a 7?” If you’re not part of Gen Z (born 1997–2012), you might have no idea what that means. And that’s okay. Every generation has its own way of expressing thoughts and feelings—and this is one of Gen Z’s.
But what does it mean? Is it about looks? Personality? Vibes? Honestly… yes…and no. And to go further…it depends. And that’s kind of the point.
The “6 or 7” trend is a playful way Gen Z refers to small differences. Think of a rating scale of 10. Not amazing. Not terrible. Just… a vibe. A 6 and a 7 are close—but not the same. They might say, “It’s kinda a 6… but like, I don’t hate it.🤔” A Gen Zer would describe it as living in that in-between space.
How Gen Z Communicates
Here’s what stands out about Gen Z communication:
- Short messages
- Emojis > punctuation
- Tone matters more than words
- Humor is dry, ironic, or self-aware
- Feelings tend to be more casually shared
- Things are rated, ranked, or “vibe checked.”
Instead of saying, “It’s okay,” they might say, “It’s almost a 7, just not main-character enough.” That one sentence carries emotion, opinion, humor, and social awareness all at once.
So, how do we make sense of it? This is where DISC becomes helpful. It gives us a shared language to understand why people communicate the way they do—even across generations.
How DISC Helps Decode Gen Z
DISC describes four personality styles:
- D – Dominance: Direct, bold, action-oriented
- I – Influence: Social, expressive, fun
- S – Steadiness: Calm, supportive, consistent
- C – Conscientiousness: Thoughtful, precise, analytical
Everyone has all four styles, but most of us naturally lean into one or two. Let’s look at how Gen Z communication fits into DISC.
D-Style: Direct… when it matters
These Gen Zers are more direct. If it matters, they may speak up quickly. If it doesn’t, they may be more likely to disengage. A simple “Nah.” That’s D energy. Short. Clear. Done.
I-Style: The Meme Masters
Gen Z is fluent in humor, trends, and social cues. They use inside jokes, speak in memes, and communicate more through vibes than long explanations.
The “6 or 7” craze is classic I-style communication—playful, expressive, and socially aware. Why use anything else when “6 or 7” says it all and puts you in the know?
Why say more words when fewer words are funnier?
S-Style: Chill and Safe
Gen Z often avoids harsh language. Instead of saying, “This is bad,” they’ll say, “It’s not for me,” or “It’s kind of a 6.”
This softer approach reflects S-style communication. It keeps things comfortable and avoids unnecessary conflict. Feelings matter—but they don’t need to be overly dramatic.
C-Style: Reading Between the Lines
Even though Gen Z messages are short, they’re packed with meaning. Tone matters. Timing matters. Emoji choice really matters.
That attention to detail connects to C-style thinking. Gen Z often analyzes: How did that sound? Was that weird? Did I use the right emoji?
To some, adding a period at the end of a text can feel distant or overly serious. In Gen Z terms, that might feel like a 4.
So...Are You a 6 or a 7?
Here’s the big takeaway: Gen Z communicates in layers—and DISC helps us understand those layers.
Remember, DISC styles don’t disappear with generations. They show up through them.
So next time someone says, “It’s giving 6… but almost a 7,” you’ll know exactly what they mean. At least we hope so, being non-Gen Zers. 😉
