This document describes the four main DISC communication types - Dominant, Influencing, Steady, and Compliant - and provides their key characteristics. It also describes dual-blend combinations of the four types and highlights their typical strengths and limitations. The goal of DISC is to help understand communication styles and improve team-building strategies. DISC can also provide value beyond the workplace in understanding personality and interaction styles.

1. DISC Communication Types
Lily Yuan | personality-psychology.com

2. D – Dominant
Characteristics of Dominant (D) communicators:
● Futuristic
● Results-driven
● Concise
● Clear
● Quick-moving

3. I – Influencing
Characteristics of Influencing (I) communicators:
● People-focused
● Persuasive
● Enthusiastic
● Energetic
● Approachable

4. S – Steady
Characteristics of Steady (S) communicators:
● Harmonizing
● Cooperative
● Empathetic
● Collected
● Neutral

5. C – Compliant
Characteristics of Compliant (C) communicators:
● Analytical
● Data-driven
● Precise
● Descriptive
● Perceptive

6. Dual-Blend DISC
Communication Types

7. DI – Dominant-Influencing
Natural leader with a charm and appreciation for building strong
communities.
Strengths: Decisive, confident, make sound decisions on behalf of an
organization. See out-of-the-box solutions with ease.
Limitations: Unpredictable, prone to excessive multitasking. Can set a rushed
pace to finish projects. Unintentionally comes off as controlling to subordinates.

8. DS – Dominant-Steady
Servant leader who thoroughly enjoys helping others fulfill their
potential.
Strengths: Empathetic yet headstrong, excellent event organizers, popular,
responsible. Deliver firm yet caring feedback.
Limitations: May make decisions without considering backup plans or all
available data. Have a tendency to overlook small yet important details.

9. DC – Dominant-Compliant
Autonomous, independent thinker with a drive to keep learning and
exploring.
Strengths: Creative, big-picture focused, direct. Fiercely individualistic, able to see
and consider many factors at once.
Limitations: Can set unrealistically high expectations, may struggle with
explaining complex information in simple terms.

10. ID – Influencing-Dominant
Optimistic and confident role model who inspires colleagues to work
hard and achieve goals.
Strengths: Enthusiastic, energetic, persuasive, high-energy. Excellent at
encouraging teams to shift gears and experiment with new methods and
strategies.
Limitations: Difficulty in adhering to strict routines, overly optimistic about
outcomes, may socialize more than necessary during and after meetings.

11. IS – Influencing-Steady
Charismatic and empathetic leader who is motivated by positivity and
the potential in people.
Strengths: Optimistic and naturally charismatic communicators. Able to make
others feel at ease instantaneously. Empathetic and warm.
Limitations: Difficulty giving necessary constructive criticism, prone to stress
during conflicts. May face disappointment with idealistic view of team members.

12. IC – Influencing-Compliant
Detail-oriented and energetic leader who is fluent with data and
people.
Strengths: Well-rounded set of hard and soft skills, adaptable and productive.
Able to crunch numbers and take team wellbeing into account when making
decisions.
Limitations: May lose sense of time and assertiveness midway through a project.
Can be easily swayed by others’ opinions and feedback, in order to maintain their

13. SD – Steady-Dominant
Well-wishing and popular team worker who thrives in middle
management roles.
Strengths: Gentle yet confident; inspirational role models. Attentive, encouraging
and emotionally open.
Limitations: May disregard detailed or highly routined work. May have bouts of
passivity and lethargy after long hours of concentration.

14. SI – Steady-Influencing
Friendly and caring team worker who seeks harmony and
acknowledgment.
Strengths: Adaptable listeners and communicators. Calm under pressure, intuitive
ability to keep the atmosphere tension-free.
Limitations: Can expend too much energy trying to solve others’ interpersonal
conflicts, difficulty in remaining level-headed when colleagues are under stress.

15. SC – Steady-Compliant
Caring and pragmatic team worker who values open and respectful
communication.
Strengths: Detail-oriented and patient teachers. Meticulous and respectful in their
problem-solving approach.
Limitations: Shys away from conflict, has a tendency to overanalyze incoming
information. Risk-averse and plays by the book.

16. CD – Compliant-Dominant
Serious and responsible individual who values competence and
results.
Strengths: Highly efficient and focused. Straightforward; cuts to the chase. Precise
and acute, have stellar time management skills.
Limitations: Detached and isolated approach to problem-solving, prone to rash
judgements and miscommunication with colleagues.

17. CI – Compliant-Influencing
Easygoing and friendly team worker who collaborates well with any
department.
Strengths: Well-liked, diligent, and detail-oriented. Excellent at keeping order in
both personal and professional spheres.
Limitations: Overly focused on details, can make misjudgements of others’
emotions. Possess a tendency to work themselves to the point of burnout.

18. CS – Compliant-Steady
Calm, modest, and detail-oriented team player who gently encourage
others to collaborate effectively.
Strengths: Excellent with time management and concentration; kind and
organized. Quietly inspire others to work diligently and stay focused.
Limitations: May struggle with extended amounts of teamwork, get caught up in
overthinking solutions. Cautious of trying new strategies.

19. Summary: DISC Communication Types
● Dominant: Futuristic, Results-driven, Concise, Clear, Quick-moving
● Influencing: People-focused, Persuasive, Enthusiastic, Energetic,
Approachable
● Steady: Harmonizing, Cooperative, Empathetic, Collected, Neutral
● Compliant: Analytical, Data-driven, Precise, Descriptive, Perceptive

20. How does DISC help in your ongoing team-building strategies?
What other value(s) does DISC provide beyond the workplace?
personality-psychology.com | Lily Yuan