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Profiles with High Dominance

High Dominance

The High-D profile is often described as the 'Autocrat', and for good reason. Dominance is the factor of 

control and assertiveness, and with no other high factors in the profile to balance this, the pure High-D canbe remarkably domineering, and even overbearing at times. This type of person has a very strong need toachieve, and because of this they are often ambitious and competitive, striving aggressively to achieve theirgoals. They are dynamic and adaptable, and show a decisiveness and a capacity for direct leadership.

Relating to Others

The emphasis that this type of person places on achievement and success significantly affects their relations

with other people. In extreme cases, a High-D can come to treat other people simply as a means to an end,or a way of achieving their personal goals. Dominance is not an emotional factor, and individuals with this

type of profile will tend not to place great importance on feelings, either their own or others'. Thecompetitive side of Dominance can lead this type of person to see challenges and opposition everywhere,

and others sometimes find it difficult to break through this naturally suspicious, sceptical shell.

Common Abilities

We have already seen that the Dominant individual has qualities of command and leadership. It should benoted, however, that these abilities are based on their direct, demanding nature, and are more suited to

structured, formal situations than those where close ties are required.

The High-D is a competent and confident decision-maker, able to reach a conclusion quickly from minimalinformation and act accordingly. They are well suited to situations that others would find unbearablystressful, as their desire for challenge and their enjoyment of success against the odds makes them

unusually proficient in dealing with such situations.

Motivating Factors

Highly Dominant individuals of this kind like to feel that they are in control, and seek opportunities toreinforce and emphasise their personal power. They measure their progress in life by their achievementsand successes, and need to maintain a sense of personal momentum.

Being impatient and forthright, they intensely dislike situations that they are unable to directly resolve forthemselves - dependence on other people is anathema to this type. They find these kinds of situationextremely frustrating, and can be driven to wild, impulsive actions in an attempt to relieve the pressure.

Sub-traits

The sub-traits of this type are Efficiency, Self-motivation and Independence.

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High Dominance and Influence

A profile of this type represents a highly assertive person, capable of both direct, dynamic action or

charming sociability as a situation demands. In combination, these factors describe a person with clear goalsin life with the determination and commitment to achieve them. This style of person will seek to maintain aposition of dominance, both in terms of personal authority and control, but also in a social sense - they liketo feel that they are not only respected by those working with them, but also genuinely liked.

Relating to Others

This type is characterised by strong social skills and a persuasive communication style. They are capable of 

great charm, but will sometimes adopt a more demanding, overbearing style of behaviour, especially if theyfeel themselves to be under pressure. The outgoing and quickly-paced approach of this kind of person canbe difficult to deal with for less assertive or direct types, especially as they have no fear of confrontation and

will address issues directly rather than prevaricate or evade.

Common Abilities

Challenge is a keyword for this type of person - they thrive in situations that others would find impossibly

stressful and difficult to deal with. Their need for achievement means that they are willing to undertakealmost any task to achieve success or recognition, and this driving, motivated approach lends them anurgency and energy rarely seen in other types.

Regular DISC users will recognize this profile shape as the classic ideal for direct sales work. This type of 

occupation typifies the characteristics of this style, the ability to think and react quickly, adapt to challengingsituations and use powers of both assertiveness and persuasion to motivate others to accept their own

proposals.

Motivating Factors

Challenge is a keyword for this type of person - they thrive in situations that others would find impossibly

stressful and difficult to deal with. Their need for achievement means that they are willing to undertakealmost any task to achieve success or recognition, and this driving, motivated approach lends them anurgency and energy rarely seen in other types.

Regular DISC users will recognize this profile shape as the classic ideal for direct sales work. This type of occupation typifies the characteristics of this style, the ability to think and react quickly, adapt to challengingsituations and use powers of both assertiveness and persuasion to motivate others to accept their ownproposals.

Sub-traits

The sub-traits of this type are Self-motivation, Independence, Enthusiasm and Self-confidence.

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High Dominance and Steadiness

Profiles showing both high Dominance and high Steadiness are somewhat rare in practice. This is becausethe two factors concerned represent such radically differing sets of values and motivations that it is hard forthem to effectively coexist in a single style.

Relating to Others

The unusual combination of factors represented by this style make it difficult to predict their likely approachto other people. On one hand, Dominance is a controlled and somewhat suspicious factor, preferring to

avoid revealing information to others, but on the other Steadiness is an open characteristic, representing aperson who likes to maintain amiable and trusting relations with those around them. A person showing bothhigh Dominance and Steadiness, then, will adapt their social style to a particular situation, showing afriendlier side to their character if they feel that they can trust the people around them.

Common Abilities

This type of person possesses a single-minded and practical style, representing an individual who will followa line of action through to the end, using concentration and determination to achieve their aims. They willtry to complete tasks within realistic timescales, but they also value careful planning. The profile shapesuggests that the more cautious, thoughtful side of the personality will appear under favourable conditions,while the more urgent, demanding aspect will be seen at times of pressure.

Motivating Factors

The motivating factors associated with Dominance are control and power, while Steadiness is more related

to the need for time and the avoidance of change. Insofar as these two factors are compatible, they suggesta preference for a situation in which this person exercises whatever authority they may have to preserve thestatus quo and avoid sudden change.

Sub-traits

The sub-traits of this type are Efficiency, Independence, Thoughtfulness and Persistence.

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High Dominance and Compliance

This 'U'-shaped profile is not uncommon. It represents a highly formal and structured individual with aforceful and blunt style. This type of person believes in getting things right, and is rarely afraid to state their

mind robustly and directly. Of all possible DISC profiles, this style probably represents the least forthcomingin personal or emotional matters; individuals of this type tend to be remote and somewhat isolated,

preferring to keep their own counsel.

Relating to Others

As we suggested above, relating to others (at least on a personal level) is not a high priority for this type of person. When communication with others is essential, it tends to be brief and succinct, focusing on practicalmatters. This type of individual is quite distrustful of others, and will prefer to keep facts to themselvesunless absolutely necessary.

Common Abilities

This is a personality motivated by achievement and efficiency, as are all personalities containing a high level

of Dominance. In this case, however, this is modulated by the presence of a high Compliance factor, whichalso lends the character an interest in detail and precision. A noticeable element of this type, for example, istheir tendency to correct other people when they make errors, even to the point of highlighting mistakesthat others might regard as trivial or unimportant.

Nonetheless, this combination of efficiency and precision can be an effective one, and their bluntly assertivestyle helps them to achieve difficult tasks by sheer force of character.

Motivating Factors

This is a complex character in terms of motivation. In common with all High-D's, they have a desire for

personal achievement and success, but they also like to feel that they are completing assignments orprojects accurately and efficiently. The naturally unexpressive style of this personality can make it difficult to

detect whether or not they are motivated in any particular set of circumstances.

Sub-traits

The sub-traits of this type are Efficiency, Self-motivation, Accuracy and Sensitivity.

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High Dominance, Influence and Steadiness

The lack of Compliance in this profile indicates that independence is the key element in understanding thisstyle. People of this kind have a clear idea of their aims in life, and the strength of will to achieve their aims.

It is unusual to find high Steadiness in a profile of this type, and this lends the individual concerned a senseof persistence and a willingness to work steadfastly and diligently in pursuit of their ends.

There is a sociable, open aspect to this type, but the presence of Dominance means that they also have anunderlying sense of determination and assertiveness that will come to the fore, especially if they findthemselves in difficult or demanding situations.

Relating to Others

Influence and Steadiness are both social factors, suggesting that this type will interact easily and skilfullywith other people, and that they possess the personal self-confidence to mix relatively easily with strangers,

or in unusual situations. They do have a strong sense of independence, however, and are prepared to go toconsiderable lengths to maintain their own sense of identity, and to protect and defend their own viewpoint.

Common Abilities

This is a solid and dependable style with strong social abilities, and with an assertiveness and willingness totake the initiative that is rare in such types. They have a strong sense of personal responsibility and aninherent self-reliance that make them especially effective as facilitators. Their combination of patience and

assertiveness results in a rare and valuable behavioural style, capable of achieving results, but equally ableto consider their options carefully before reaching a final decision.

Motivating Factors

Because of their independent style, this type of person will seek to hold a degree of control over their owncircumstances, and will look for opportunities to drive towards their own ambitions. While success isimportant to them, however, they also value positive relationships with other people, and under some

circumstances they will be prepared to delay achievement of their goals if this conflicts with others' needs.

Sub-traits

The sub-traits of this type are Independence, Self-confidence and Persistence.

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High Dominance, Influence and Compliance

Speed of response and a sense of urgency are the defining characteristics of this behavioural type. Their lowSteadiness score suggests that their approach will be rooted in a dynamic, impatient style. This is arelatively self-controlled and ambitious style, but they also possess effective social abilities that can beexpected to come to the fore in informal, open situations.

While ambition and assertiveness are important elements of this style, the type of person to whom it referswill also have an awareness of the needs of others and a sense of order that make them far less impulsive

and unpredictable than many similarly extrovert types. While they will wish to achieve success in their ownright, they also understand that the needs of an organisation will from time to time require that they

suppress their own ambitions for the good of the team.

Relating to Others

The ways in which this type relates to other people will tend to vary according to their social situation,depending on the relative formality of their surroundings. In more social, casual circumstances, they will

project a friendly and animated style, being open and enthusiastic in general approach.

If their situation is more formal or closely regulated, however, a more direct and determined side to thepersonality will develop, being both assertive and self-controlled, and showing far less of the sociable,gregarious side associated with favourable situations. It is in formal situations of this kind that the more

ambitious and driving elements of the personality will come to the fore, and it is likely that they will alsoadopt a somewhat plain-speaking, blunt aspect.

Common Abilities

From the above, it will be clear that an individual of this kind will display different abilities in differentsituations; they can be charming and enthusiastic, or direct and forthright, depending on their particularcircumstances. From a manager's perspective, it will clearly be productive to adapt such a person's working

environment, so far as is possible, to bring out the particular style that is most appropriate.

Motivating Factors

Profiles with three high factors, such as this, have complex sets of motivating factors that may sometimesconflict with one another. In this case, motivation stems from the achievement of personal ambition, theacceptance and approval of other people, and certainty of their position. Where these are incompatible, asfor example if the fulfilment of a goal requires a risk to be taken, the relative values of the three factors

relative to one another will give some indication of the person's likely course of action.

Sub-traits

The sub-traits of this type are Self-motivation, Enthusiasm and Sensitivity.

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High Dominance, Steadiness and Compliance

This is an unusual profile shape, as are all profiles containing both high Dominance and Steadiness. Themain distinguishing feature of this style is its low Influence score, describing a style based more around

practicality and rational thought than emotional considerations, and being generally reluctant to revealinformation about themselves, their ideas or their feelings.

In common with many profiles showing three high factors, this is a complex personality with varyingresponses to varying situations. In this particular case, more assertive and dominant behaviour can be

expected in antagonistic or difficult situations, while a more relaxed (but far less assertive) style can beanticipated in less pressurised circumstances.

Relating to Others

The low Influence level in this profile shape indicates that relating to other people is not an area of particularemphasis for an individual of this type. Where they do respond to others on more than a purely practicalbasis, they will tend to be rather passive in approach, reacting to comments or suggestions from other

parties rather than offering direct input themselves. As a situation becomes more difficult, their willingnessto make direct input will increase dramatically, but their readiness to communicate on a personal level will

reduce proportionately.

Common Abilities

The emphasis of this personality is on results and productivity. They work well with facts, and are at homewith complex systems. They value effectiveness and efficiency, and will tend to embody these qualities intheir approach to both their work and home lives. Although they have a clear view of their own personalaims in life, they are prepared to bide their time when necessary, and this thoughtful, patient approach

helps them to avoid unnecessary risks or impulsive actions.

Motivating Factors

Profiles with multiple high factors have a variety of motivating factors, and these can express themselves indifferent ways according to circumstance. In this case, motivating factors include the achievement of results,time to adapt to changing situations, a full understanding of fact and detail and an avoidance of risk. Therewill clearly be times when elements of this complex group of motivations conflict with one another.

Sub-traits

The sub-traits of this type are Efficiency, Thoughtfulness and Accuracy.