DISC: how you act, and why it matters

A short guide to the DISC model of behavior, followed by a 20-question self-assessment that takes about seven minutes.

What is DISC?

DISC is a framework for describing observable behavior: how you tend to make decisions, deal with people, respond to pace, and handle rules. It grew out of psychologist William Moulton Marston's 1928 book Emotions of Normal People, and was turned into the self-report assessments used in workplaces today.

It sorts behavior into four styles: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Conscientiousness. Everyone uses all four. Most people lean toward one or two.

Know the limits. DISC describes preferred behavior, not intelligence, skill, values or fixed personality. It is popular for team communication and coaching, but it is not a validated clinical tool, and it should never be used for hiring or screening decisions.

The four styles

Two questions shape the model. Is your energy outgoing or reserved? Is your focus on tasks or on people? The answers place each style in a corner.

Task-focusedPeople-focused

Dominance

Core drive
Results, control, winning the challenge.
Strengths
Decisive, direct, competitive, comfortable with risk.
Watch for
Impatience, bluntness, steamrolling quieter voices.
Working with D
Be brief, lead with the bottom line, offer options and let them decide.

Influence

Core drive
Connection, recognition, enthusiasm.
Strengths
Persuasive, optimistic, sociable, great at rallying people.
Watch for
Disorganization, overpromising, losing focus on follow-through.
Working with I
Be warm, make space to talk ideas through, acknowledge contributions.

Steadiness

Core drive
Stability, harmony, being dependable.
Strengths
Patient, loyal, a good listener, calm in a crisis.
Watch for
Resisting change, avoiding conflict, holding back opinions.
Working with S
Give notice before changes, be sincere, invite their view directly.

Conscientiousness

Core drive
Accuracy, quality, doing things correctly.
Strengths
Analytical, careful, systematic, high standards.
Watch for
Perfectionism, over-analysis, being overly critical.
Working with C
Bring facts, allow time to think, be precise and keep promises.

Self-assessment

For each question, choose the statement that is most like you in a typical work or social setting. Go with your first instinct, and answer as you really are rather than as you would like to be.

Your DISC profile

D
I
C
S

This is a self-reported snapshot from 20 questions, meant for reflection. Your style can shift with context, such as at home versus at work.