DiSC SC styles

What do the ‘S’ and the ‘C’ in DiSC mean?

The S in the Everything DiSC® model stands for steadiness. The C stands for conscientiousness. People with SC-type personalities display both the steadiness of the S style and the conscientiousness of the C style. They tend to be accommodating, patient, and reliable, influencing others through diplomacy and self-control.

Jump to:
DiSC SC style characteristics | Working well with DiSC SC-style people |
Similar styles: CS and S

SC DiSC styles are cautious & reflective. This DiSC map shows fast-paced & outspoken by D and i styles, cautious & reflective by C and S styles, questioning & skeptical by C and D styles, and accepting & warm by i and S styles.

What is a DiSC style blend?

Everyone is a mix of all DiSC styles but will display a stronger natural tendency toward one or two. When you take an Everything DiSC assessment, your result could be either a one-letter style (D, i, S, or C) or a two-letter style (SC, iS, CD, etc.).

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

In your Everything DiSC report, you get a visual of this by where your dot is on the DiSC map. People with the SC blended style will see their dot in the S quadrant, close to the C quadrant.

The twelve-style model of Everything DiSC is calibrated to provide deeper and more personalized insights than assessments limited to four styles.

Circle showing the twelves DiSC style wedges, with the SC style highlighted

Dot placement

Because every person is different, even people with the same DiSC style will have varying personality traits. Looking at where your dot falls on the Everything DiSC map helps you discover more about yourself in relation to others of your style.

For example, people with SC styles share many traits, but each SC-style person exhibits the style differently. You might be strongly inclined to the SC style with your dot appearing on the far edge of the circle and between the S and C lines. Or you might be slightly inclined toward the style, with your dot appearing closer to the middle of the circle.

Learn more: DiSC^® dot and priorities explained

DiSC map showing the eight scales. SC-style people score high on the CS/SC scale.

How do you get typed as an SC style in DiSC?

The foundational DiSC model measures:

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.

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

Think you have an SC style?

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

Take the DiSC assessment

DiSC SC style characteristics

Personality traits emerge from each individual's core psychological needs. SC-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 shouldn't trouble other people or be a source of their unhappiness” or “Other people's opinions must be more informed than mine.” These core psychological needs are not usually experienced as conscious thoughts, but they still shape personality.

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

Common traits:

Of all the S styles, the SC is the most analytical. People with SC-type personalities are reserved, modest, and reliable. They are often diplomatic and prefer to think things through before speaking. Other common SC style traits include:

patient
consistent
cautious
passive
soft-spoken
humble

Motivations:

SC styles thrive in safe, predictable environments. They enjoy working steadily toward a goal. People with SC styles find fulfillment in helping others and generally enjoy working behind the scenes rather than having the pressure of the spotlight. SC-type people tend to prioritize accuracy more than other S styles, taking pride in maintaining high standards for the quality of their work. Other motivators for SC styles are:

calm environments
fixed objectives
steady progress

Priorities:

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

maintaining stability
giving support
ensuring accuracy

What they value:

Every individual has their own unique set of values. But you'll notice some common core values among people with similar DiSC styles. For example, DiSC SC-style people usually value dependable outcomes, supporting others, humility, and diplomacy. Other values of the DiSC SC type can include:

displaying a sense of loyalty and duty
create an environment where everyone feels comfortable
maintaining high standards for accuracy and quality

Stressors in the workplace:

You can build better relationships with SC-style coworkers if you understand what tends to stress them out. Learning these stressors can also help managers offer better support during stressful situations.

SC-style personalities are especially sensitive to stressors that upset the stability they crave. They value dependable outcomes and may become anxious in an environment that is too unpredictable. Things that DiSC SC-style people find stressful include:

making quick decisions without time for analysis
having to argue for their point of view
letting people down
taking risks
giving and receiving critical feedback
tense or conflict-filled environments

Fears:

Each DiSC personality type has core fears. These may operate below the conscious level, but they still drive our thoughts and actions. SC-style people fear:

time pressure
uncertainty or chaos
taking risks and making mistakes
troubling other people or being the source of their unhappiness

How they influence others:

SC-type people are often humble and accommodating. Those around them likely appreciate their patience and reliable nature. People with SC styles use their natural traits to influence those around them, such as:

diplomacy
self-control
consistency

How they handle conflict:

Most people with SC styles try to avoid conflict when possible. They value stability and harmony, and conflict threatens that. SC styles in conflict often put their needs aside and look for ways to bring everyone together. When conflict does arise, SC-type people have natural tendencies that are both productive and destructive. They maintain calm, listen to others, separate emotions from facts, and look for compromise. However, they also give in to please others, let issues simmer, isolate or withdraw, and become defensive. During conflict, SC styles may:

encourage a calm demeanor
retreat from the conflict

May need to work on:

Unlike many other personality assessments, Everything DiSC is developmental rather than solely descriptive. People who take the assessment gain not only self-understanding but an individualized plan for personal growth. Growth opportunities for SC-type personalities include:

taking initiative, being proactive
being more open and less guarded with others
projecting confidence and taking a firm stance

SC-style managers

SC managers want the opportunity to help people grow and succeed. They are patient listeners who guide their team in a steady way. They tend to be dependable and true to their word.

Discover the traits of SC-style managers and the driving assumptions behind their management styles. Read more on our learning hub.

S-style managers are even-tempered, accommodating, and patient

Working well with DiSC SC-style people

There are many reasons to be grateful for SC-type colleagues. They are humble and supportive folks who want what’s best for the group. They hold themselves to high standards, and they won’t leave a task half-finished. While tips for working with someone with an SC style will vary based on your DiSC style, some general tips can help you work better with your SC-style teammates.

Communicating with SC styles

You can strengthen your relationships by learning the communication preferences of different DiSC styles. For example, SC-type people tend to internalize a lot, so they may not speak up when they are stressed or upset. That means you need to look for more subtle clues. Here are some more SC-style communication tips:

Invite their perspectives and give them space to speak. Jumping into a lively debate or cutting someone off is uncomfortable for these styles.
Give them time to figure out and articulate their position. They are likely internal, rather than verbal, processors.
Notice and celebrate their work.
Encourage them not to withdraw.
Make your expectations clear.
Realize that they may not tell you when you say something hurtful to them.
If you also have a similar style, you’ll need to remind each other of your mutual tendencies for diplomacy, and commit to speaking your mind.

SC styles in meetings

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

Be clear about deadlines, as SC styles like to deliberate and consider their options carefully.
Know that they are not likely to self-promote. Notice their contributions and show gratitude.
Provide explanations and details when presenting big changes that could make them feel less secure.

Problem-solving with SC styles

When problem-solving with SC-type people, remember that they appreciate stability and are naturally accommodating. SC styles have a tendency to take on extra work themselves rather than deal with delegating, questioning a manager, or confronting a teammate about not pulling their weight. So be sure you're checking in about workload distribution. Here are some SC-style problem-solving tips:

Check in regularly on their stress levels and workload.
Respect their cautious pace and high standards.
Consider other people’s feelings when making decisions.

Do SC-style people make good salespeople?

SC-style salespeople take pride in following through on their word. They want customers to know they won’t just close the deal and run.

Learn more about the 8 styles of salespeople on the learning hub.

Similar styles: CS and S

The Everything DiSC circumplex is divided into 12 styles. The styles on either side of the SC style are CS and S. This means the CS and S styles are most similar to the SC style.

The CS style

People with CS styles share many similarities with SC-style individuals, but are likely a bit more analytical and private.

Learn more about CS styles

The S style

S-style individuals share SC-style qualities like patience and reliability. S types tend to be somewhat more collaborative and less skeptical than SC-style individuals.

Learn more about S 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

C styles

cautious & reflective, questioning & skeptical

Learn about C styles

What is your style?

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