DiSC - Interaction Between Styles: S (Steady) with S (Steady)

In today’s blog, we look someone with the primary style of S interacting with an individual whose primary style is ALSO an S.

As an S (Steady) style, you thrive stable environments, sincere appreciation, cooperation, and opportunities to help.  You want everyone to “get along”, and to NOT be the source of disappointment or letting people down.  As such, you are not surprised to observe others with your S style also appear:

• Patient
• Supportive
• Calm
• Good Listener
• Humble

One may think, “Why write about the interaction between similar styles?”  How can interacting with someone of your same style be “require instructions?”  We know what WE want, however we still need communication tips for working with others.   (Remember the Platinum Rule?  Treat others the way THEY want to be treated).  Tips that reflect the S behaviors include:  caring, consideration, understanding, and gentleness.

Another aspect to consider is when one or both S’s come under pressure.  This can be reflected in over accommodation, tendency to avoid change, indecisiveness.  Now you have two of them?  Hmmm. 

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 previous DiSC® assessment revealed that our two interacting individuals are S style and S style, respectively.  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.  The inclination of a style shows how more or less naturally inclined a person is to encompass the characteristics of their Everything DiSC® style.  (You might think of this as intensity or degree).  The closer to the center, the less (slight) intense.  The closer to the outer circle, the higher (strong) the intensity.  In between the center and the outer circle is considered a moderate intensity.  The proximity of a style is your placement to the neighboring style.  So, in our example and referencing the Everything DiSC® model, let’s assume that we actually have a STRONG Si and a SLIGHT SC, respectively.  We refer to these 2-letter results as “blended styles”. 

STRONG Si:  We know that the “pure” S style provides support, maintains stability, and enjoys collaboration.  However, the S’s closer proximity to the i quadrant shows up as people who are highly collaborative, like to involve others in making decisions, and are more concerned about building team spirit over individual accomplishment.  The Si tends to place a high importance of the needs of others, often setting aside their own opinions and needs.  The Si style usually comes across as cheerful and upbeat and tend to see the positive in most situations, encouraging other people’s ideas.  And, the strong inclination indicates a farther stretch or flex to meet other styles.

SLIGHT SC:  We know that the “pure” S style provides support, maintains stability, and enjoys collaboration.  However, the closer proximity to the C quadrant shows up as attaining consistent, accurate outcomes and effective solutions.  They tend to be cautious, and may prefer to work in a predictable environment that won’t bring a lot of surprises.  The C influence will cause a focus on accuracy, while the S influence shows patience and diplomacy.  They may seem overly analytical at times (for a “pure” S style).  And, that slight inclination indicates an ability and willingness to stretch or flex to meet other styles.

So, there you have it.  Totally confused?  I hope not.  All we did is improve DiSC® from where you fell in one of four quadrants by adding criteria (through research) that says WHERE you fall within that particular quadrant and how it further defines you.

HUMOR:  An S with an S event planning

Two S’s have been asked to help plan the holiday picnic.  One day in and they are knee deep in supporting each other’s ideas, not wanting to change the theme too much from last year’s event, and enjoying the collaboration.  Each indicates they are fine with the other wants to do.

A “D” walks in to their meeting room, notices the S’s chuckling and says, “What’s so funny?  Are you guys done yet?  No pressure, but you’ve got to finish by today!  Just get it done!”  The D leaves the room.

A “i” walks in to the meeting room and says, “Hi guys, this is great that you are creating what is sure to be a fantastic event.  I’d be glad to help out if you need, or contribute some ideas, or gather up some fun people to work with.  OH MY!  Gotta run!  I’ve got a meeting starting right now.  Good luck.  Keep up the good work.  Chat with you later.”

A “C” walks in to the meeting room and says, “Last year’s event didn’t go well from a management perspective.  I sure hope for your sake that this year’s event isn’t a disappointment.”

So what?  Why is all this important?  By having a slightly deeper understanding about this nature of an S style, the S is better able to acknowledge, respect, and reflect behavior(s) which are more effective, support problem solving, and help deal with tension if/when it arrives.  This has significant implications to leadership, communication, organizational culture, diversity, and teamwork.

What have you learned about interaction with another “S” toward:

Being be more effective?

• Share what you’re really thinking about and let them know that you genuinely want to hear their opinions
• Encourage each other to move outside of your comfort zones and take on new challenges
• Work collaboratively with them, however don’t overlook / ignore potential problems

Solving problems?

• Establish a deadline to avoid delaying decisions and find ways to make minor decisions more quickly together
• Consider risks, however remember that sometimes a daring idea can bring more satisfying results
• Don’t let your shared reluctance to rock the boat keep you from considering more creative options

Managing tension?

• Address the situation directly rather than masking your differences
• Express your concern for their feelings and show a desire to work through the conflict quickly yet thoroughly
• Be aware that holding in your feelings could be more harmful than speaking candidly

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.