There are interesting commonalities and contrasts between the four DISC styles. In this blog, I’d like to compare D’s and I’s with S’s and C’s. Then, we will look at D’s and C’s with I’s and S’s.
In his book, The Emotions of Normal People, William Marston explained that D’s and I’s perceive themselves as more powerful than forces in the environment, while S’s and C’s perceive themselves as less powerful. This dichotomy formed the foundation for the split between D’s and I’s versus S’s and C’s. Additional ways to look at this dichotomy includes:
In his book, The Emotions of Normal People, William Marston explained that D’s and I’s perceive themselves as more powerful than forces in the environment, while S’s and C’s perceive themselves as less powerful. This dichotomy formed the foundation for the split between D’s and I’s versus S’s and C’s. Additional ways to look at this dichotomy includes:
| D/I | S/C |
|---|---|
| More powerful than the world | Less powerful than the world |
| More assertive | Less assertive |
| Verbal | Reserved |
| Control | Adapt |
| Tell | Ask |
| Extrovert | Introvert |
| Act | Plan |
| Fast-paced | Even-paced |
| Big-picture (general) | Detail-oriented (specific) |
| Spontaneous | Planned |
| Bold (risk-taking) | Thoughtful |
William Marston also discussed the difference between D’s and C’s versus I’s and S’s. In this case, he described the environment as either favorable or unfavorable. He explained that favorable environments are supportive of the person, such that the individual can feel comfortable in them. Unfavorable environments are antagonistic to the person, whereby the person feels challenged by them. In his view, D’s and C’s viewed the environment as unfavorable, while the I’s and S’s viewed the environment as favorable. Other ways of looking at this dichotomy include:
| D/C | I/S |
|---|---|
| World is hostile | World is friendly |
| Task | People |
| Detach | Affiliate |
| Questioning | Accepting |
| Logic-focus | People-focus |
| Challenging | Agreeable |
| Skeptical | Receptive |
| Autonomy | Affiliation |
| Goal Oriented | Relationship Oriented |
| Function | Form |
| Words | Style (Tone/ Body Language) |
| Business first | Rapport first |
By considering the dichotomies of the DISC styles, we gain greater insight into the similarities and differences of what makes each style tick.