D style

D is for Dominance

People with the DiSC D style personality tend to place a strong emphasis on shaping the environment and overcoming opposition to accomplish results.

“The Winner”

D styles are motivated by winning, competition, and success. They prioritize taking action, accepting challenges, and achieving results and are often described as direct and demanding, strong-willed, driven, and determined. D styles tend to be outspoken, but can be rather skeptical and questioning of others.

Fears: being seen as vulnerable or being taken advantage of
Values: competency, action, concrete results, personal freedom, and challenges
Overuses: the need to win, resulting in win/lose situations
Influences others by: assertiveness, insistence, competition
In conflict: speaks up about problems; looks to even the score
Could improve effectiveness through: patience, empathy

DiSC Classic patterns: Developer, Result-Oriented, Inspirational, Creative

D style goals

D styles tend to have goals such as these:

strive for unique accomplishments
explore new opportunities
maintain control of the audience
achieve independence
get bottom-line results

D style challenge

D styles may need to expend more energy to:

show patience
display sensitivity
explain the details
allow for deliberation

D style in leadership

D-style leaders are often commanding and confident, taking care and focusing on results.

They often display leadership characteristics such as these:

commanding
resolute
pioneering

D style quotes

What's the point of playing if winning isn't the goal?

J.D. Robb

D style quotes

I always had the ability to say no. That’s how I called my own shots.

Sidney Poitier

D style quotes

Fortune favors the bold.

D style quotes

Actions speak louder than words.

D style variations

Keep in mind that everyone is a blend of all four DiSC styles: D, i, S and C. But most people tend strongly toward one or two styles. If your style falls on a border with another style, you probably show traits associated with that style, as well. Thus, D styles often show traits associated with the i and C styles.

The Di Style

Di styles tend to be results-oriented, vocal, and enthusiastic, influencing others through their charm and bold action.

Traits: dynamic, inquisitive, persuasive, rebellious, restless, entrepreneurial, results oriented, vocal, enthusiastic

Goals: quick action, new opportunities

Fears: loss of power or status, invisibility

Influences others by: charm, bold action

Overuses: impatience, egotism, manipulation

In conflict: addresses issues head-on; may say things they will regret

Could improve effectiveness through: patience, humility, consideration of others’ ideas

Leadership qualities: Di-style leaders are often pioneering, seeking to stretch boundaries, find opportunities, and achieve results.

The DC Style

DC styles tend to be diligent, tough-minded, and creative, influencing others through their high standards and determination.

Traits: can be driven to perfection, takes initiative; diligent, determined, creative, blunt, critical, cool, focused, tough-minded

Goals: independence, personal accomplishment

Fears: failure to achieve their own standards

Influences others through: high standards, determination

Overuses: bluntness; sarcastic or condescending attitude

In conflict: sticks up for their own rights; digs in their heels

Could increase effectiveness through: warmth, more tactful communication

Leadership qualities: DC-style leaders are often resolute, setting high expectations and speaking up about problems. They tend to be concerned with improving methods and procedures.

Communicating with a D style

When communicating with DiSC D-style individuals, give them the bottom line right from the start. Be brief. Stay focused. Avoid generalizations. Refrain from repeating yourself. And stick to solutions rather than problems.