Everything DiSC® - Interaction Between Styles: Conscientious with Steady

In today’s blog, we look at someone with the primary style of C (Conscientious) interacting with an individual whose primary style is S (Steady).

As a C (Conscientious) style, you thrive on ensuring accuracy, maintaining stability, and challenging assumptions.  The C style is motivated by opportunities to use expertise or gain knowledge combined with attention to quality. 

The S (Steady) style thrives on stable environments, sincere appreciation, cooperation, and opportunities to help.  They want everyone to “get along”, and to NOT be the source of disappointment or letting people down.  As such, the C observes others with the S style also appear:

• Patient
• Supportive
• Calm
• Good Listener
• Humble

As a C, suppose you work with an S.  People with the S style place a high value on providing support. They tend to be good listeners, and as a result they’re often seen as patient and accommodating.  In addition, they often focus on maintaining a predictable, orderly environment. Since they tend to be cautious, they may use a methodical pace and avoid rapid change whenever possible.  Furthermore, people with the S style also value collaboration. Because they appreciate a trusting, warm environment, they may go out of their way to make sure people feel included and accepted.

To the C, the S may seem more concerned with everyone getting along and being included, supporting others, and seeking harmony.  While the C is focused precision and analysis, the S is accommodating, agreeable, and accepting.

These descriptions have been our understanding with our long-time, 4-quadrant model.  Let’s take one more step toward deeper, broader understanding of DiSC® and interactions.  As you see from the Everything DiSC® model above, where you lie within a given DiSC® quadrant provides further, unique descriptors for the 12 styles.  Mind you, these 12 styles are built from the original 4-quadrant model with which you are probably familiar.  So, it’s not like learning a new language.  You are simply adding some new “words” to your existing vocabulary. 

Interaction example:  Our DiSC® assessment revealed that our two interacting individuals are the C and the S style, respectively.  However, as we learned in a previous blog, your actual, specific Everything DiSC® style is determined by two aspects; inclination and proximity.  Simply put, inclination is your location near or away from the center of the circular model.  You might think of this as intensity.  The closer to the center, the less intense (slight) and the closer to the outer circle, the higher the intensity (strong).  Proximity is your placement near a neighboring style(s).  So, in our example, upon closer examination, let’s assume that we actually have a (strong) CD with close proximity to neighboring D style and a (strong) Si (with close proximity to the neighboring i quadrant.  We refer to this 2-letter result as “blended styles”.  So, in short, we have “strong” CD and a “strong” Si.

Strong CD:  Our strong, primary CD has a dot closer to the outside edge which means they will have to expend MORE energy to stretch to behaviors outside their style.  People with the CD style may come across as skeptical and determined in their focus on making sure things get done correctly. Most likely, they won’t accept ideas without asking a lot of questions, and they like to uncover problems that could affect results.

Strong Si:  People with the primary Si style are highly collaborative, and they like to involve others in making decisions. Most likely, they try to build team spirit and are less concerned with individual accomplishment.  In addition, they’re also supportive, so they tend to place a high importance on the needs of others. Because they have an accommodating nature, they’re often willing to set aside their own opinions and needs to help others.  Furthermore, those with the Si style usually come across as cheerful and upbeat. They tend to see the positive in most situations, and they’re encouraging of other people’s ideas.

                                              DiSC® Humor:  CD with Si Road Trip

 The CD gets in the car and says (without a greeting), “I brought the map . . . hardcopy AND digital.  My GPS continually recalculates if any issues arise so we can keep moving.  Buckle up.  No riders without seat belts.  No need to stop on the way since we HAVE to be there by 2PM and no detours planned.  I’d prefer to not have the radio on as it’s distracting.  I’ll just check the map one more time before we begin.  Shut the door.  We’re already 2 minutes late on departure time.”

The Si gets in their car and says, “Howdy partner!  I hope the A/C is adjusted properly for you.  There are the controls if you would like to change it.  Do you have what you need?  I think I packed what you requested.  But don’t worry, if you think of something else, we can stop and I’ll grab it.  No problem at all.  I just want everything to go smoothly and for us to have a good time”. 

Whatever your style, I hope this humorous exchange provides more insight into your style AND/OR styles in your world and provides a broader understanding as to “what makes for successful interaction.” 

As ALWAYS, the key to effectiveness through DiSC® is understanding your and others’ styles and then using that knowledge for improved interactions.

If you would like a live, complimentary webinar (online) for your team or organization, please send an email to info@traininglocation.com.  If you’d like to purchase the DiSC®, visit  DiSC® Classic or Everything DiSC® at our website.  And, check out our products from The Ken Blanchard Companies as well.