Amidst numerous personality assessments and self-help tools, DISC stands out for its practicality and impact. Typically seen as a work tool, see how it also benefits your personal life!
But first, what is DISC?
DISC is a behavioral assessment that categorizes people into four main personality styles:
🟥 Dominance (D-style): Direct, results-oriented, competitive
🟨Influence (I-style): Sociable, talkative, enthusiastic
🟩 Steadiness (S-style): Calm, steady, caring
🟦 Conscientiousness (C-style): Logical, careful, exactEach of us has a combination of these styles, but we tend to lead with a preferred one. Observe behavioral traits in your family and friends and try identifying their DISC styles!
How DISC supports your personal development
DISC describes your behavioral style - how you comfortably prefer to do things and how you show up to others. With this increased self-awareness, you can:
- Play to your strengths.
- Build stronger situational awareness.
- Recognize and overcome your blind spots.
- Set goals that align with your natural tendencies.
- Communicate and connect more effectively.
Adjusting takes energy, but most are temporary, brief, and for a specific situation. Knowing the most effective adjustments will improve the outcome. Remember, it's not about changing who you are, but adapting to better the interaction.
Let's focus on using your DISC style to aid your growth journey.
Growth tips for your DISC style
🟥 If you're a driven D-style, growth means slowing down to listen, which can strengthen your relationships and show you value the process. Consider others' viewpoints to broaden your perspective. Take time to journal your collaborative wins.
🟨 If you're an outgoing I-style, focus on finishing tasks and being reliable by setting realistic goals. Keep your ideas organized and stick to them. Improve listening by asking questions and paying attention. Try using phone reminders to track your successes!
🟩 If you're a thoughtful, supportive S-style, growth may come in embracing change. Sometimes the hardest step is the first one, so try saying "yes" to small risks first. You often find the outcome to be rewarding. As an S-style, you tend to put the needs of others ahead of yourself. Practice advocating for yourself when it's appropriate. Try setting a monthly challenge for yourself - maybe something you haven't tried before.
🟦 If you're a precise, analytical C-style, focus on valuing progress over perfection. Learn to accept when "good enough" suffices. As a C-style, you tend not to express your emotions. Work on sharing your feelings and being attuned to the feelings of others. Challenge yourself to make quicker decisions; trust your instincts. At the end of each day, reflect on the times you just went for it without overanalyzing.
Now let's apply it to the important people in your personal life!
Practice adjusting for the people who matter most
Work and home settings are different. At work, you might try harder to communicate and get along with different personalities, even if it means you need to adjust. But at home it might be a different story. Home is typically more comfortable and familiar, so you might not do the same. Most people expect family to understand you without effort on your part. That’s when problems can happen, but also opportunities to enhance relationships and improve the home enviornment.
For instance, let's take an outgoing I-style mom who enjoys chatting and connecting whereas her quiet, careful C-style teen needs time to think and prefers time alone. Each is frustrated with the other. Things may be smoother if they acknowledge their differences. Mom could offer clear directions and allow time to think, while her teen could try to chat and share a little more.
DISC can help you understand how your family members think, feel, and react. When you know their styles, you can make small changes such as: getting right to the point, speaking up, or giving someone time to process. These simple adjustments may take effort, but can make a big difference.
With DISC, you can learn to connect better with the people who matter the most.
Final Thoughts
DISC isn’t about putting yourself in a box—it’s about being more intentional on your growth journey. Whether you’re a bold D, an energetic I, a steady S, or a precise C, there’s always room to stretch, evolve, and thrive, in work, home, and play.
Start where you are, grow with purpose, and use DISC as your guide.
