The four key ingredients in a DISC profile are the four DISC factors: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance. Each DISC profile shows the relative importance of these four factors in a given individual's behaviour. While the four factors are formally named 'Dominance', 'Influence', 'Steadiness' and 'Compliance', they are much more commonly referred to among experienced DISC users simply as 'D', 'I', 'S' and 'C'.
Note that no factor is 'better' or 'worse' than any other - a DISC profile simply reports a style of behaviour, and each style has its own inherent strengths, and also its own specific shortcomings.
It is common to find behavioural styles that represent a single factor - a highly Dominant individual, for example, or a very Steady one. At least as often, though, profiles show a combination of these factors, leading to more complex interpretations as the various factors combine together.
Nonetheless, an understanding of the properties of each of the four basic factors is an important first step in interpreting any DISC profile. The factors help to define a person's motivations and drives, their aversions and dislikes, and their general style of behaviour.
Dominance (D) is the DISC factor that relates to control, power and assertiveness.
Influence (I) relates to an individual's approach to social situations, and their style of communication.
Steadiness (S) is the factor of patience, persistence and thoughtfulness.
Compliance (C) describes a person's approach to structure and organisation.
DISC Sub-traits
One way of understanding the relationships between factors in a profile is through 'sub-traits'. There are twelve of these, one for each possible pair of factors. For example, if a particular individual has a high Dominance score and a low Steadiness score, we can say that they are 'Self-motivated', and further interpret their profile in light of this. We can represent this relationship using a shorthand form - for instance, 'D/S' (pronounced 'D over S') represents Dominance being higher in a profile than Steadiness.
Accuracy (C/I, sometimes called 'Caution') refers to individuals for whom getting things just right is the main goal.
Co-operativeness (C/D) applies to individuals who prefer to work in a team environment.
Efficiency (D/I) describes a person primarily motivated by results.
Enthusiasm (I/S) relates to animated, expressive behaviour.
Friendliness (I/D) is essentially a social sub-trait, used of people who are open and warm to others.
Independence (D/C) is used to describe self-reliant individuals who follow their own goals.
Patience (S/D) is displayed by calm and unobtrusive types.
Persistence (S/C) represents dogged, tenacious behaviour.
Self-confidence (I/C) is used specifically to describe social confidence.
Self-motivation (D/S) relates to self-starting, 'go-getting' styles.
Sensitivity (C/S) appears in profiles for people who are observant and aware of their environment.
Thoughtfulness (S/I) is used to describe individuals who think their actions through carefully.
