Leadership & Impact

DISC personality types explained

How to incorporate self-awareness into everyday life

Posted by: Tony Robbins

How well do you know yourself? It’s one thing to understand your opinions, likes and dislikes. But understanding your personality and all its nuances is another ball game altogether. Oftentimes insight is restricted by self-perception and limiting beliefs, so to develop true self-awareness, you must get an objective perspective on yourself. 

Tony Robbins’ DISC assessment is a powerful tool for understanding your personality, leadership style and behavior patterns. The assessment is organized around DISC personality types – four categories of interpersonal behavior. By determining which of the DISC assessment types fits your predominant personality profile, you’re able to embrace and leverage your assets, get ahead in your career and enjoy greater authenticity in everything you do.

What are the four DISC personality types?

The DISC method is designed to help you understand your dominant personality traits. Once you have your DISC personality types explained, you can use this knowledge to better leverage your options and build the life you desire. Which of the following DISC assessment types resonates most strongly?

1. Dominance

People who score high in dominance are direct, results-oriented, decisive, competitive and strong problem solvers. These people are bold and definitive. They tend to place a high value on winning and being the best. They look at the world with a logical lens and rely more on facts and data than intuition. In addition to being strong in their convictions, they also tend to react to opposing viewpoints with indifference or hostility.

2. Influence

If you’re a strong influencer, you tend to be charming, enthusiastic, optimistic, persuasive and inspiring. These people are bold and accepting. They consider themselves people-oriented and love to connect with others. They can often make others feel warm, invited, accepted and excited. Their general outlook on life is one that values collaboration, hope and acceptance. Because they value other people so much, they can be hesitant to provide constructive criticism or speak their minds. Their excitement sometimes gets the best of them and they become unable to focus on the details of a situation.

3. Steadiness

Are you generally understanding, a team player, patient, stable and sincere? It’s likely steadiness is your dominant personality trait. People who have a high steadiness score are cautious yet accepting. They are interested in helping others and creating a stable environment. If you’re looking for a team member who will value cooperation and exude patience, find one that has a high steadiness score. Because they thrive in stable environments, they are less comfortable with ambiguity or transitions.

4. Conscientiousness

If you’re analytical, diplomatic, precise, compliant and objective, you’re likely to score high in conscientiousness. Conscientious people are cautious and skeptical. While very detail-oriented, they also have the ability to overanalyze every situation. They are proud of their work quality and are quick to share it with others. If their routine is disrupted, they may have an issue with seeing how to move forward.

DISC assessment types: faqs

Here are some common questions about the DISC personality types:

1. What does DISC stand for? 

The letters in DISC personality types stand for the four categories of personality: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Conscientiousness. 

2. What does a DISC profile tell you?

A DISC profile will help you determine which traits are most prominent in your personality. Once you know this information, you can use it to better understand your environmental reactions and your work style. 

3. What is the purpose of DISC assessment types in personal growth?

There are several good reasons to take personality tests like a DISC assessment. Categorizing personalities into DISC assessment types can be beneficial for personal growth. Understanding yourself within the DISC personality types helps you become more attuned to your own interpersonal style. You’re able to meet your own needs through enhanced self-care, which allows you to be more present in your relationships. As you increase your capacity for extraordinary relationships, you achieve greater fulfillment while positively impacting those around you.

4. What is the purpose of DISC personality types in professional growth?

Organizations are only as strong as their people. When everyone understands the DISC personality types, they’re able to appreciate each other’s diversity instead of working as a monolithic group. Your organizational culture flourishes, which boosts morale and productivity. You’re able to build teams based on how people’s DISC assessment types work together. 

5. How do the DISC personality types transform communication?

When people speak the same “language” of personality, they’re able to overcome interpersonal differences and collaborate more smoothly. The DISC personality types provide a template for creating this common language. For example, when communicating how enjoyable you think an upcoming project will be, put the DISC assessment types to work. If you’re speaking to someone high in conscientiousness, emphasize how their organizational skills will be critical for success. If you’re speaking to someone high in dominance, appeal directly to what they get out of the project. As you speak to the other person in their language, you create common ground to achieve your goals. 

6. What are some examples of the DISC assessment types in action?

Robbins Research International (RRI), the research and marketing arm of Tony Robbins’ personal coaching business, puts the DISC assessment types into action every day. RRI achieves its mission of changing lives by starting within – supporting employees’ goals and diverse lifestyles. Understanding the team’s DISC personality types plays a pivotal role in creating breakthroughs since it builds a company culture where staff can thrive.