"How to Identify Another Person's DISC Behavioral Style"

By Dr Tony Alessandra (Alessandra & Associates) and Bo Hanson (Coaching Consultant and Director of Athlete Assessments)

The AthleteDISC and CoachDISC model measures four areas of behavior and uses the letters D, I, S, C to describe this behavior. D is for Dominance, I is for Interactive, S is for Steadiness and C is for Compliance. Briefly, here are some core behaviors of each letter (style). You may have even noticed some of these behaviors in yourself or the athletes you coach.

• Dominant (D): are faster paced (movement, talking, deciding) more direct (to the point), task/goal orientated (want to win) and personally more guarded (do not disclose personal information readily)
• Interactive (I): are faster paced (movement, talking, deciding), more direct (to the point), people orientated (seek out and enjoy the company of others) and personally more open (disclose personal information readily)
• Steady (S): are slower paced (slower to move, talk and respond), more indirect (take time to get to the point and gives detailed information), relationship orientated (want to get to know you) and personally more open (will disclose personal information)
• Compliant (C): are slower paced (slower to move, talk and respond), more indirect (take time to get to the point and gives detailed information), task/goal orientated (wants to do things the right way first time) and personally more guarded (do not disclose personal information readily)

Below is the AthleteDISC and CoachDISC Model and associated core behaviors.

How do you quickly and accurately identify each of the four behavioral styles in order to practice adaptability? You do this by firstly focusing on the areas of behavior - directness and openness.

So, to quickly identify the styles of other people ask these two questions:

1. Are they more direct and fast-paced or indirect and slower-paced?
2. Are they more guarded and task-oriented or open and people-oriented?

Directness

Direct/Faster-Paced People (D and I Styles above the horizontal line)

Direct Behaviors

• Frequently uses gestures and voice intonation to emphasize points.
• Less patient; more competitive.
• Often makes emphatic, generalized statements.
• Sustained eye contact.
• Frequent contributor in the team.
• Obvious and strong body language or gestures.
• Expresses opinions readily and openly.
• More likely to introduce self to others.

Indirect/Slower-Paced People (S and C Styles below the horizontal line)

Indirect Behaviors

• Infrequent use of gestures and voice intonation to emphasize points
• More patient and cooperative
• Often makes qualified, well structured statements
• Subtle body language or gestures
• Infrequent but profound contributor in the team
• More likely to wait for others to introduce themselves
• Reserves expression of opinions

Openness

Open/People-Oriented People (I and S Styles right of the vertical line)

Open Behaviors

• Shows feelings and enthusiasm freely
• More relaxed and warm
• Emphasizes main ideas
• Goes with the flow
• Conversation can wonder in team meetings
• Opinion-oriented
• Animated facial expressions
• Easy to get to know
• Friendly body language or gestures
• Initiates/accepts physical contact

Guarded/Task-Oriented People (D and C Styles left of the vertical line)

Guarded Behaviors

• Keeps feelings private
• Limited range of facial expressions
• More formal and proper
• Avoids/minimizes physical contact
• Goes with the coaches suggested program
• Speaks in specifics; cites facts and examples
• Formal body language or gestures
• Conversation stays on subject

The Whole Picture

When you combine both scales, you create each of the four different behavioral styles. Individuals who exhibit guarded and direct behaviors are Dominant Styles; direct and open behaviors are Interactive Styles; open and indirect behaviors are Steady Styles; and indirect and guarded behaviors are Compliant Styles.

The Four Basic Behavioral Styles Overview

Below is a chart to help you understand some of the characteristics of each of the four basic styles, so you can interact with each style more effectively. Although behavioral style is only a partial description of personality, it is quite useful in describing how a person behaves, and is perceived in the sporting environment.

Discover more information about the AthleteDISC profile for athletes and CoachDISC profile for coaches. Or contact us to find out how we can help you further develop your coaching.