DiSC® Famous Characters

Today, I’d like to stray a bit from the typical structured, more academically-oriented lesson seen on Training Location.  In the past, I’ve created fictitious persons (plumber, teacher, manager) and described them through various aspects of their behavior, THEN I break down why they might be considered a certain style(s) of DiSC®.  In this sharing, I’ll provide a television or movie character with whom you are probably familiar.  Then – based on our observations of them over time – you already have familiarity with their behavior and therefore their respective DiSC® style.  Let’s take a look.

One more thing.  The DiSC® styles I will suggest for our characters in today’s sharing are just that . . . They are only my suggestions.  Mind you, my suggestions are based upon years of experience and application, however you may have a slightly different take based upon your own observations of that character on the small and/or big screen.  What I’m hoping is that it makes you think and either agree or disagree through application of the DiSC® model.  Let’s take a look.

Before we dive deeper, I have always encouraged learners to maintain a couple important pieces of baseline knowledge. These two pieces are critical to understanding DiSC®.  (This is especially for first-time readers of my blogs) 

First are the Cornerstone Principles that we have discussed before:

• All DiSC® styles are equally valuable
• Everyone is a unique blend of all DiSC® styles, and most people tend toward one – sometimes two - styles
• Your unique style is also influenced by other factors such as life experiences, education, and maturity

I want to add something to the previous slide around Cornerstone Principles.  When I say “most people tend toward one or - in some cases - two styles”, I translate that to “People generally stay in their comfy T-shirt”.  Even the most extreme characters eventually revert to their comfy T-shirt.  What’s YOUR comfy T-shirt?

Second is the Basic DiSC® Styles Model:

A person’s DiSC® style is decided by the intersection of two dimensions of observable behaviors (including body language, tone of voice, expression, and word choice):

The vertical dimension is known as PACE (or outward activity level) described as either Fast-paced & Outspoken OR Cautious & Reflective.  The horizontal dimension is known as your AGREEABLENESS quotient.  This means those who are “less agreeable” place a lower PRIORITY (concern) for cooperation and social harmony, and we refer to them as “Questioning & Skeptical” on the left end of this dimension.  A general term for them might be result-focused.  Those who are “more agreeable” place a higher PRIORITY on cooperation and social harmony and we refer to them as “Accepting & Warm” on the right end of this dimension.  A general term for them might be people-focused.

*It is the interaction between these TWO continua which forms the 4 quadrants (or basic styles) of the DiSC® model, AND by which you identify a person’s DiSC® style.

Below is a list of various characters.  In a couple cases, I place someone with a primary style and their proximate style.  For example, somebody can have a primary (comfy T-shirt) style of Dominant, and yet display some characteristics of the proximate style of Influence.  In that case, I have bolded the primary style of Dominant.

Let’s take a look at some of the characters in the movie, Hangover.

Doug – Accepting & Warm combined with Cautious & Reflective

Steady (even-tempered, accommodating, patient, loyal, peacemaker)  “We look at these pictures together, okay?  One time.  And then we delete the evidence.”

Phil – Fast-paced & Outspoken combined with Questioning & Skeptical

Dominant / Influence (charismatic, selfish, fast-paced, outspoken, action, Enthusiastic, result-oriented) Excited about Las Vegas, he’s leaving the elementary school where he works and one of his students begins to ask him a question on the steps:  “It’s the weekend, I do not know you.  You do not exist.”

Alan – Fast-paced & Outspoken combined with Accepting & Warm

Influence (Outgoing, enthusiastic, optimistic, high-spirited, lively, people-focused)   “We’re the three best friends that anybody could have . . .“

Stu – Cautious & Reflective combined with Questioning & Skeptical

Conscientious (careful, responsible, logical, result-focused, voice of reason) “We’re in a stolen cop car with what is sure to be a missing child in the back.  What part of this is cool?”

Let’s take a look at some of the characters in the television series, Friends.

Monica – Fast-paced & Outspoken combined with Questioning & Skeptical

Dominant / Conscientious (Firm, strong-willed, result-oriented, analytical, precise, systematic) Motto?  Do It Now

Chandler – Fast-paced & Outspoken combined with Accepting & Warm

Influence (outgoing, charming, humorous, life-of-the-party)

Rachel – Cautious & Reflective combined with Accepting & Warm

Steady / Influence (funny, high-spirited, sense of humor, sweet, flexible, genuine, loyal)

Ross – Cautious & Reflective combined with Questioning & Skeptical

Conscientious (detailed, careful paleontologist, count on him to do the right thing.  Genuine, intelligent, selfless, innocently funny)

How about the series, Breaking Bad?

Walter White – Cautious & Reflective combined with Questioning & Skeptical.

Conscientious / Steady - This is a tough one (He’s kind, caring, and timid, HOWEVER, he’s demanding, calculating, and ruthless with a love of power.  His chemistry genius makes him an artist in the world of meth).

Or, one of my favorites, Finding Nemo?

Dory – Fast-paced & Outspoken combined with Accepting & Warm

Influence (Outgoing, enthusiastic, optimistic, high-spirited, lively, people (fish)-focused) “When life gets you down, you know what you gotta do? Just keep swimming.”  Motto?  Let’s Have Fun

Marlin (Nemo’s father) – Cautious & Reflective combined with Questioning & Skeptical

Conscientious - (Analytical, reserved, precise) “If this is some kind of practical joke, it’s not funny and I know funny.  I’m a clownfish.”

And, this classic seen by all ages, Toy Story

Woody – Cautious & Reflective combined with Accepting & Warm

Steady (cautious, careful, stability, concerned about fellow toys’ safety and happiness, responsible, competent, and level-headed. Deeply devoted to his friends, people-focused) "It doesn't matter how much we're played with.  What matters is that we're here for Andy when he needs us."

Buzz Lightyear – Fast-paced & Outspoken combined with Questioning & Skeptical

Dominant (Direct, firm, strong-willed, results) Motto?  Do It Now, “to infinity and beyond”)

Who can forget, Godfather.

Vito Corleone – Cautious & Reflective combined with Questioning & Skeptical

Steady / Conscientious (cautious, skeptical, result-focused, gracious, patient, intelligent, and soft-spoken, but iron-willed, few words, fierce loyalty, family first) “Make him an offer he can’t refuse”

Sonny Corleone – Fast-paced & Outspoken combined with Questioning & Skeptical

Dominant (short-tempered, tough, charismatic, direct, forceful, results, means business)  “Do It Now”, “You touch my sister again and I’ll kill ya.”

Michel Corleone – Cautious & Reflective combined with Questioning & Skeptical

Conscientious (brave, questioning, skeptical, result-oriented, reserved, Action) Motto?  Do It Right, “Never let anyone know what you’re thinking.”

Everybody’s favorite, Disney

Mickey Mouse – Influence (cheerful, adventurous, Charismatic, fun-loving, whimsical, heroic, kind, nice, brave, funny, happy, bashful, selfless, comical, forgetful, optimistic); “See ya real soon”;  Motto?  Let’s Have Fun

And most popular, Top Gun.

Maverick – Fast-paced & Outspoken combined with Questioning & Skeptical

Dominant (daring, bold, brave, charismatic, risk-oriented) “I feel the need for speed”

Carole Bradshaw – Fast-paced & Outspoken combined with Accepting & Warm

Influence (Goose’s wife) outgoing, enthusiastic, optimistic, high-spirited, lively).  Motto?  Let’s Have Fun

Iceman – Cautious & Reflective combined with Questioning & Skeptical

Conscientious (cautious, skeptical, result-focused, rigid, analytical, reserved, precise, private, systematic) Motto?  Do It Right.  “Hey Maverick!  Who was covering Cougar while you were showboating with the MIG?”

And, a couple more for good measure.

Let’s try your diagnostic skills!

MacGyver

MacGyver – Cautious & Reflective combined with Questioning & Skeptical

Conscientious (cautious, questioning, analytical, reserved, precise, private, systematic) "There always seems to be a way to fix things."; Do It Right

Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump – Cautious & Reflective combined with Accepting & Warm

Steady (people-focused, Accommodating, even-tempered, patient, humble)  “We go together like peas & carrots”

I’ve mapped out our characters for a visual representation:

A couple things about this DiSC® map.

• Look at the dispersion.
• Look at the clustering on particularly the D, I, S, & C regions within the respective quadrants.
• Not sure why, however we seem to have mostly I’s and C’s.
• Generally speaking, we have equal dispersion overall between the 4 quadrants
• Also, for example. Note how different Buzz, Sonny, & Maverick are, however they are all Dominant types (direct, firm, strong-willed, forceful, results-oriented).  Be careful to not bias your thoughts toward or against someone just because they are a certain type.  They MAY keep good company.  You never know.

Only question is where do YOU think you fall among the characters, and most importantly . . . why?

I hope this overview increased your awareness, knowledge, and familiarity of DiSC®.  Whether your needs include Onboarding, Employee Engagement, Culture Change, Conflict Management, Coaching, Team Building, or simply Communication, DiSC® is the research-based, proven, leading training solution.

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.