In part four of this series of DISC Profiling (accessed here), I provided an insight into the Influencers (I-Style).

I-styles are outgoing, social, and talkative, and like to be the centre of attention.

Today is all about the individuals who bring steadiness to the world, the S-Style in the DISC Profile.

Want to learn about the DISC profile and the other styles? Here’s a bunch of articles to help you navigate this amazing communication tool:

1. DISC Profile | Explained
   
2. DISC Profile | How To
   
3. DISC Profile | Dominant
   
4. DISC Profile | Influencer
   
5. DISC Profile | Steady (this article)
   
6. DISC Profile | Compliant (Coming soon!)

S: is for STEADINESS

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.

It’s not.

~ Dr. Seuss

S-styles are steady, calm and laid back. 

Being people-focussed but of a slower pace; people who are high in “S” are more introverted and reserved, and people-oriented. They tend to be supportive, stable, sweet, and shy.

They are typically calm, easy-going, and collected people. They like giving support, collaborating, and maintaining stability. They work hard to ensure harmony and balance.

While they do like interaction with other people, they are more reserved and less animated than I-styles. S-styles prefer things to remain the same because changes and surprises threaten their sense of security. Family and friends tend to be very important to S-styles. They often defend their own group or team almost emotionally; fairness and justice are very important to S-styles.

S-styles are reliable and stable with an emphasis on cooperating with whoever is in charge to carry out the tasks.

Note: Some of these descriptors will elicit different responses from different styles.

For example, words such as “careful”, “patient” and “modest” can be viewed as somewhat negative adjectives by individuals who are not S-styles.

However, strong S-styles are actually very comfortable with these adjectives. In fact, they may be quite proud that they possess these traits!

Typical Characteristics

People who have both Reserved and People-oriented traits often exhibit SUPPORTIVE and STEADY behaviours. 

They usually focus on preserving relationships and on creating or maintaining peace and harmony. 

People with the S style emphasise cooperating with others within existing circumstances to carry out the task.

A person with an S-style:

• is motivated by cooperation, opportunities to help and sincere appreciation
  
• prioritizes giving support, collaboration and maintaining stability
  
• is described as calm, patient, predictable, deliberate, stable and consistent
  
• may be limited by being indecisive, overly accommodating and tendency to avoid change
  
• may fear change, loss of stability and offending others
  
• values loyalty, helping others and security

Tips to Recognising an “S” in the Workplace:

Goals:

• personal accomplishments
  
• group acceptance
  
• power through formal roles and positions of authority
  
• maintenance of status quo
  
• controlled environment

Will need to expend more energy to:

• quickly adapt to change or unclear expectations 
  
• multitask
  
• promote themselves
  
• confront others

Communication Tips:

When communicating with the S-style individuals; be personal and amiable, express your interest in them and what you expect from them, take time to provide clarification, be polite and avoid being confrontational, overly aggressive or rude.

Conclusion

Remember, DISC is an awareness tool. For self and those around you. Effective communicators are incredibly influential and successful in everything they do. If you believe you are Steady or work with someone Steady, this article provides insight into what to identify and how to adjust to becoming more effective in your communication.

If you’re a Steady leader, consider how your behavioural biases could impact your team positively and negatively. Remember to adjust to get the most out of the people around you.

If your leader is Steady, adjust your communication to suit their style to increase your rapport and influence!

Next up… the COMPLIANT! Stay tuned for Part Six in this DISC Profile series to learn more about how to identify and communicate with the Reserved and Task-Focused individuals in our team.