DC style

People with the DiSC DC-style personality are often tough-minded and determined critical thinkers. They aim to be experts in their field. DC types value their autonomy and want to feel in control.

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

The D in the Everything DiSC® model stands for dominance, and the C stands for conscientiousness. People whose DiSC® profile shows a DC style display both the dominance of the D style and the conscientiousness of the C style. They are questioning and skeptical, and they tend to think through every possible solution in hopes of achieving results. They care about producing high-quality work, and often prefer to separate emotions from facts.

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DiSC DC style characteristics | Working well with DiSC DC-style people |
Similar styles: D and CD

What is a DiSC style blend?

Everyone is a mixture of all DiSC styles, but most people tend toward one or two. While some individuals' DiSC assessment results will show a style with just one letter (D, i, S, or C), others will show a 2-letter style (iS, SC, CD, etc.).

These 2-letter styles are style blends, and they indicate that an individual's personality type falls near the border between two of the four main quadrants.

Everything DiSC® assessment takers can see this clearly in their results by looking at where their dot is placed on the DiSC map. If your dot is close to the border with another style, you probably show traits associated with that style, as well. Thus, D styles often share characteristics with the C or i styles.

The Everything DiSC test is calibrated to help you discover which main DiSC style quadrant you fall into, and if your results show a blend, which style blend best fits you.

Dot placement

There's a lot of variety within each of the four main DiSC styles because human personality is so wonderfully varied! People with DC styles share many high-level traits, but each DC-style person manifests the style differently. The dot placement on your Everything DiSC profile will help you discover your unique place on the DiSC map.

For example, you might be strongly inclined to the DC style with your dot appearing on the far edge of the circle and between the D and C lines. Or you might be slightly inclined toward the style, with your dot appearing closer to the middle.

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 DC style in DiSC?

The DiSC model, at its foundation, is two-dimensional, measuring:

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

These two scales form the four primary DiSC quadrants.

However, these are just a starting place for the Everything DiSC assessment. This assessment will tell you not only your main DiSC style (D, i, S, or C) but which of the 12 style blends best represents you and how strongly you align with those traits.

A more detailed look at the DiSC map reveals both the four main quadrants and eight scales.

Everything DiSC® assessments measure respondents on these eight scales: D (Dominance), Di/iD, i (influence), iS/Si, S (Steadiness), SC/CS, C (Conscientiousness), and CD/DC.

People with the DC style score highest on the CD/DC scale. Further, their responses show tendencies slightly more in line with the D style than the C style. People with D styles are assertive and achievement driven. C-style folks are logical and focused on accuracy. DC styles are a blend of the two, with a bit more D than C.

This is another way that Everything DiSC accounts for how varied our personalities can be!

Think you have a DC style?

Take an Everything DiSC Workplace assessment today to find out! Learning your DiSC style can help you harness your strengths and build new connections in the workplace and beyond.

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DiSC DC style characteristics

Our personality traits are informed by the driving assumptions that we have: unconscious beliefs that shape our personalities and influence the decisions we make. While these driving beliefs can be hidden from our rational minds and feel less obvious to us, they do have an influence on our behavior.

Individuals with a DiSC DC style have a few core psychological needs, including the need for accuracy, logical decision making, competence in their field, and control. People with DC styles will identify with these unconscious beliefs to varying degrees. Here are some ways that the core needs of DC-type people show up in their personalities and behavior.

Common traits:

When someone has a DC style in DiSC, they often come off as composed, focused, and strong-willed. They are determined to achieve. Other common DC style traits include:

diligent
self-starting
skeptical
direct and straightforward

Motivations:

DC-type people are motivated by a challenge. They enjoy finding the best possible methods to reach an end goal. DC-type people are also motivated by results, so they tend to care a great deal about the accuracy and quality of their work. DiSC DC style motivators include:

proving themselves/showing their knowledge
overcoming obstacles
bottom-line results

Priorities:

The Everything DiSC Workplace model shows these priorities for the DiSC DC style: challenge, results, and accuracy. They want to achieve great results and hold themselves to high standards. People with DC styles prioritize:

efficiency
separating facts from emotions
maintaining an analytical approach

What they value:

Everyone has their own unique set of values, but you'll notice some common patterns among people with similar DiSC styles. For example, DiSC DC-style people tend to value personal autonomy and control. Other values of the DiSC DC type include:

competence in themselves and others
their independence/self-reliance
objectivity

Stressors in the workplace:

If you know some common stressors for your DC-style coworkers, you might be able to improve your collaboration with them. Being aware of the situations that tend to stress out a DC-style person can help you minimize these situations or provide adequate support when they arise. Things that DiSC DC-style people find stressful include:

sensing any possibility they will seem incompetent
having to rely on other people
following an inefficient process
realizing that others don't share their high standards

Fears:

Each personality type has core fears. People may not be consciously aware of these fears, but they still influence decisions and behaviors. DC-style people fear:

experiencing failure
being vulnerable

How they influence others:

The competence and determination DC-type people bring to the table cause them to influence the people they work with. They use the traits that come naturally to them to influence people around them, such as:

high standards
resoluteness
composure
willingness to overcome challenges

How they handle conflict:

Like all styles, DiSC DC styles have personality traits that can be both productive and destructive in conflict situations. DC-type people in conflict generally help make conflict productive by addressing issues directly and focusing on the facts of a situation. However, DC types might become overly critical or impatient. During conflict, DC styles may:

dig their heels in
look to find the root cause of the problem
not seek to understand other perspectives

May need to work on:

DiSC assessments help you understand natural strengths as well as areas for growth. Some growth opportunities for DC-type personalities include:

practicing warmth
employing more tactful communication
seeking to empathize with others

DC-style managers

DC-type managers tend to prioritize efficiency and focus on results. They often communicate clearly and directly.

Discover the strengths of the DC-style manager alongside some insights they can use to unlock the potential of their employees. Read more on our learning hub.

Working well with DiSC DC-style people

DC-style teammates contribute both determination and a focus on process to their team dynamics. Their composed, focused dispositions can keep meetings and projects on track. They care deeply about the quality of their work, and are constantly considering whether there are more efficient methods that could be used to achieve goals. While tips for working with a DC style will vary based on your DiSC style, there are some general tips that can help you work better with your DC style teammates.

Communicating with DC styles

People with different DiSC styles have varied communication preferences, so you can strengthen your working relationships by learning some communication tips for each style. If you have a DC style, these behaviors may come naturally to you. If you don't have a DC style, you may benefit from reviewing the best way to communicate with your DC type colleagues. Here are some DC-style communication tips:

Focus on facts and minimize “pep talk.”
Give them the bottom line.
Say what you mean. They appreciate direct and honest communication.

DC styles in meetings

For effective meetings with DC types, review their priorities and motivators. DC-style meeting tips include keeping small talk to a minimum and ensuring that none of their questions and concerns are left unaddressed. Here are some more meeting tips for DiSC DC styles:

Show how your ideas will get results.
Recognize the value of their drive to get things right.

Problem-solving with DC styles

When problem-solving with DC-type people, remember that they are focused on facts and logic, and they want to find quick, efficient solutions. Try to be direct, and if you feel taken aback by something they say, ask for clarification. They may not always be aware how their assertive demeanor affects others. Here are some DC-style problem-solving tips:

Be assertive.
Don’t beat around the bush or try to avoid difficult discussions.
Demonstrate your competence and your commitment to high standards.

Do DC-style people make good salespeople?

Salespeople with DC styles are confident and straightforward. They are likely very prepared for any meeting, and enjoy the opportunity to show customers that they know their stuff.

Explore the 8 different styles of salespeople, and how you can utilize these different styles to change your approach and meet a customer’s needs! Read more on the learning hub.

Similar styles: D and CD

The Everything DiSC circumplex is divided into 12 distinct styles. The wedges on either side of the DC wedge are D and CD. This means the D and CD styles are most similar to the DC style.

The D style

People with D styles share many similarities with DC-style individuals, but are likely a bit more fast-paced, energetic, and bold.

Learn about D styles

The CD style

As you would expect, DC-type folks have a lot in common with CD-style people. Both styles score high on the CD/DC scale. People with CD styles tend to be somewhat more steady-paced and cautious than DC-style individuals.

Learn about CD styles

Other styles

i styles

fast-paced & outgoing, accepting & warm

Learn about i styles

S styles

cautious & reflective, accepting & warm

Learn about S styles

C styles

cautious & reflective, questioning & skeptical

Learn about C styles

What is your style?

Do you have the DiSC DC personality type? If so, how does your unique personality differ from the typical DC 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