CS style

People with a DiSC^® style of CS value stability and minimizing risk. CS-style people tend to be self-controlled, modest, and soft-spoken. They are often precise and dependable, and typically prefer working behind the scenes rather than being in the spotlight.

What do the 'C' and the 'S' in DiSC mean?

The C in the Everything DiSC® model stands for conscientiousness. The S stands for steadiness. People with CS-type personalities display both the conscientiousness of the C style and the steadiness of the S style. This makes them cautious, reliable folks who are drawn to fixed environments, rather than situations with a lot of change and ambiguity.

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DiSC CS style characteristics | Working well with DiSC CS-style people |
Similar styles: C and SC

What is a DiSC style blend?

Everyone is a blend of all DiSC styles, but most people tend toward one or two. All DiSC styles are equal and valuable in their own ways. Your Everything DiSC assessment result will show either a one-letter style (D, i, S, or C) or a two-letter style (CS, Si, CD, etc.).

The styles with two letters are style blends, meaning that person's personality type falls near the border between two of the four main styles. If you have a blended style, you probably show traits of both styles. Thus, C styles often share characteristics with the neighboring S or D styles.

In your Everything DiSC report, look at where your dot is on the DiSC map. People with the CS blended style will see their dot in the C quadrant, close to the S quadrant.

Everything DiSC's twelve-style model is calibrated to provide more personalized and robust insights than assessments limited to four styles.

Dot placement

Every person's personality is different, even if they share DiSC styles. Looking at your dot placement on the Everything DiSC map gives you more detail about your traits relative to others of your style.

For example, people with CS styles share many traits, but each CS-style person exhibits the style differently. You might be strongly inclined to the CS style with your dot appearing on the far edge of the circle and between the C and S lines. If your dot is closer to the middle, you may exhibit these traits less often.

Learn more: DiSC^® dot and priorities explained

DiSC map showing fast-paced and outspoken at top, cautious and reflective at bottom, questioning and skeptical on the left, and accepting and warm at the right

How do you get typed as a CS style in DiSC?

The basis of the DiSC model is a measurement of these two scales:

pace (from fast-paced and outspoken to cautious and reflective)
agreeableness (from questioning and skeptical to accepting and warm)

Where you fall on these two scales places you into one of the four primary DiSC quadrants.

However, this is only a starting place for the Everything DiSC profile. The assessment uses eight scales for much deeper insights.

As you might expect, people with the CS style score highest on the SC/CS scale. This scale measures a cautious, passive disposition using items such as, “I spend more time listening than talking” and “I tend to be soft-spoken.” Further, the responses of CS-style people show tendencies slightly more in line with the C style than the S style. C-style folks are often orderly and precise. People with S styles are likely supportive and warm. CS styles are a blend of the two, with a little more C in the mix.

Think you have a CS style?

Take your Everything DiSC Workplace assessment today and find out! Learning about your DiSC style can help you form stronger relationships at home and at work.

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DiSC CS style characteristics

Personality traits emerge from each individual's core psychological needs. CS-type people are driven by a desire for stable environments and being part of larger group efforts. They often have subconscious beliefs such as “I must maintain my credibility” or “If things are not completely stable, things are wrong.” These core psychological needs are not usually experienced as conscious thoughts, but they still shape personality.

Of course, people with CS styles will identify with these unconscious beliefs to varying degrees. Here are a few ways that the core needs of CS-type people show up in their personalities and behavior.

Common traits:

CS types tend to be a bit warmer and more accepting than other C styles. They like to be well-prepared, taking time to refine their ideas and plan before taking action. They tend to be even-tempered and patient with people or situations others find difficult but can withdraw if they do become uncomfortable. Other common CS style traits include:

perfectionist
careful
reflective
stable
precise
patient
conventional
self-controlled

Motivations:

CS styles enjoy orderly, predictable environments where they can work at the methodical pace they prefer. They like to be well-prepared, analyze data to make decisions, and use their expertise to help others. People with CS styles generally enjoy working behind the scenes. They likely hold themselves to high standards and take pride in the quality and accuracy of their work. Other motivators for CS styles are:

calm, stable environments
using their expertise for the good of the group
spending time refining ideas and improving processes

Priorities:

The Everything DiSC Workplace® model shows these priorities for the DiSC CS style: stability, accuracy, and support. People with CS styles want to feel they are producing high-quality work and offering reliable support to others. People with CS styles prioritize:

maintaining stability
ensuring accuracy
giving support

What they value:

Values differ from person to person, based on many factors such as personality type, culture, and experiences. But you'll often notice some common values among people with similar DiSC styles. For example, DiSC CS-style people usually value reliability, humility, and analysis. Other values of the DiSC CS type can include:

following through on their word
reflecting before acting, responding with tact
being well-prepared
displaying a sense of loyalty and duty
maintaining high standards for accuracy and quality

Stressors in the workplace:

You can build better relationships with CS-style coworkers by learning what is likely to stress them out. This understanding can also help managers offer support during stressful situations.

CS-style personalities are especially stressed when dealing with unpredictable environments or a loss of stability. They value having time to think through decisions and formulate responses to questions, rather than responding “off the cuff.” Things that DiSC CS-style people find stressful include:

being put on the spot
making quick decisions without time for analysis
not having expertise in a task they need to perform
having little private time
taking risks
tense or conflict-filled environments
ambiguous or rapidly changing situations

Fears:

Each personality type has core fears. Most of the time, these fears operate subconsciously. However, they steer our behaviors and choices. CS-style people may fear:

emotionally charged situations
ambiguity
taking risks
making mistakes or receiving blame
letting others down or being seen as unreliable

How they influence others:

CS-type people are often composed, modest, and fair-minded. They exemplify the “servant leader” mindset. Those around them likely appreciate how they are receptive to other people’s needs and maintain their composure during stress. People with CS styles use their natural traits to influence those around them, such as:

practicality
attention to detail
self-control
reliability

How they handle conflict:

Most people with CS styles are naturally conflict-averse. They value stability and predictable environments. Conflict threatens that. CS styles in conflict like to stay objective and look for ways to return to more stable footing. Productive tendencies of CS styles in conflict include maintaining a focus on facts, listening, and giving people space. Destructive tendencies include freezing up, passivity, passive-aggressive tactics, and letting issues simmer. During conflict, CS styles may:

encourage a calm demeanor
avoid emotional situations

May need to work on:

Everything DiSC stands out from other personality assessments in that it is developmental rather than solely descriptive. People who take the assessment gain both self-understanding and recommendations for personal growth. Growth opportunities for CS-type personalities include:

showing flexibility
being decisive
standing up for themselves
taking initiative, showing urgency
being more open and less guarded with others

CS-style managers

CS-style managers prioritize reliability. They often aim to lessen uncertainty and chaos for their team, and enjoy supporting people so they can do their best work.

Discover common traits for CS-style managers and assumptions that drive their management practices. Read more on our learning hub.

Working well with DiSC CS-style people

People with DiSC CS personality types bring a lot to their workplaces. They generally have great follow-through and attention to detail, and they like offering support to teammates. While tips for working with someone with an CS style will vary based on your DiSC style, some general tips can help you work better with your CS-style teammates.

Communicating with CS styles

Learning about the communication preferences of various personality types is a great way to understand other perspectives and strengthen your relationships. For example, CS-type people tend to internalize a lot, which means they may not speak up when they are upset, or even when they are happy or excited about something. You'll need to look for more subtle clues than you do with more outgoing personality types. Here are some more CS-style communication tips:

Don’t assume that because they are logical or self-controlled, their feelings aren’t important.
Give them time to process new information and articulate their position.
Recognize the value of their precise and patient nature.
Invite their perspectives and give them space to speak. Jumping into a lively debate or cutting someone off is uncomfortable for these styles.
Realize that they may not tell you when you say something hurtful to them.

CS styles in meetings

For good meetings with CS types, review their priorities and motivators. CS-style meeting tips include clarity around decisions and tasks and keeping volatility to a minimum. Here are some more meeting tips for DiSC CS styles:

Be clear about deadlines, as CS styles like to take time to make careful decisions, and can get bogged down in deliberation.
Know that they are not likely to self-promote. Notice their contributions and show gratitude. CS styles especially appreciate recognition for high-quality and accurate work.
Provide explanations and details when introducing new projects or changes.

Problem-solving with CS styles

When problem-solving with CS-type people, remember that they likely default to a slow and steady pace. You may need to let them know when something requires more urgency. Here are some other CS-style problem-solving tips:

Clarify which decisions are subject to change and which are final.
Support your ideas with objective points.
Keep an eye on their stress levels and workload. CS styles are likely to take on extra work themselves rather than trust others to meet their high standards.
If you have a similar style, find ways to add momentum and risk-taking to your work.

Do CS-style people make good salespeople?

CS-style salespeople take pride in following through on their word. They want customers to know they are reliable and won’t abandon them.

Dive deeper into the 8 styles of salespeople and how you can stretch into different styles to meet the needs of your customer. Read more on our learning hub.

Similar styles: C and SC

The Everything DiSC model is divided into 12 styles. The style wedges next to the CS style on the Everything DiSC circumplex are SC and C. This means the SC and C styles are most similar to the CS style.

The C style

C-style individuals share CS-style qualities like high standards and personal restraint. Compared to CS styles, C types tend to be somewhat more motivated by challenge and less motivated by providing support.

Learn about C styles

The SC style

People with SC styles share many similarities with CS-style individuals, but are likely a bit warmer and less skeptical.

Learn about SC styles

Other styles

D styles

fast-paced & outgoing, questioning & skeptical

Learn about D styles

i styles

fast-paced & outgoing, accepting & warm

Learn about i styles

S styles

cautious & reflective, accepting & warm

Learn about S styles

What is your style?

Do you have the DiSC CS personality type? If so, how does your unique personality differ from the typical CS type? Taking a DiSC assessment is the first step toward understanding yourself better and forming better relationships at home and work. We recommend you start your DiSC journey with Everything DiSC Workplace.

Take a DiSC assessment