The Di style of Everything DiSC is the magnetic and powerful blend of Dominance and Influence. Di types bring high energy, charisma, and an unwavering focus on results to every interaction. Whether spearheading projects or rallying a team, Di’s know how to move with confidence and inspire action.
However, their go-big mentality can sometimes lead to clashes or misunderstandings in the workplace. The good news is that small tweaks can go a long way in helping Di types make the most of their strengths and improve interactions with colleagues. In this section of our series, let’s discuss important areas where Di personality types can improve their style and provide practical tips for both Di types and their coworkers to work together stronger.
Di Personality Types: Slow Down Before Big Moves
Di types are all about fast decisions and moving quickly. However, by the time they realize they’ve missed a key risk, it’s too late to go back. Taking a moment to double-check decisions especially with others doesn’t slow momentum; it creates a guarantee of success and aligns the team.
For example, a Di manager about to greenlight a project might pause to consider potential budget overruns. This can save time down the road by avoiding future financial headaches. Everything DiSC recommends that by taking a brief moment to reflect sharpens and strengthens the bold Di approach. Di’s can use simple tools like a quick SWOT analysis to temper speed with strategy. Colleagues can support by providing relevant data up front to inform Di choices without delay, best when they are given advanced notice.
Listen More, Say Less
With their high-energy influence style, Di’s are natural storytellers and easily take over conversations. Actively listening can open the door to collaboration and new ideas. Imagine a Di salesperson asking a teammate for ideas to improve a sales pitch. This could spark a breakthrough approach.
Everything DiSC notes that Di types build trust and refine their influence by truly hearing others’ thoughts and ideas. Di’s can practice asking open-ended questions like “What’s your take on this?” Coworkers can invite Di input early to capitalize on their momentum and enthusiasm.
Acknowledge the Small Stuff
Di types love the big picture but often overlook the small stuff which can have devastating consequences for them, their team and possibly the entire organization. Recognizing details can strengthen outcomes. This is where partnering with a C-style person shines. A Di event planner, for instance, can delegate logistics to a C-style teammate to mastermind. The planner provides the big vision while the teammate covers the details. Everything DiSC emphasizes that valuing details helps prevent errors without watering down vision. Di’s can use simple checklists or delegate details to support their focus on goals. Coworkers can make details relevant to the Di’s objectives to increase buy-in.
Everything DiSC Di Style & Respecting Others’ Work Styles
Di types are a blur of motion, so it can be jarring to them when others—especially those with S or C styles—don’t share their pace and boldness. However, respecting other work and communication styles builds cohesive teams. A Di leader, for example, could partner with an S-style teammate. The S may need more time to process and reflect before committing to action but, it brings balance to the Di’s spontaneous energy. Everything DiSC shows that by adjusting, the Di type increases the team’s sense of unity. Di types can learn about individual preferences through resources like DiSC training. Coworkers can help by clearly communicating needs so Di’s can adjust without slowing down.
Di Style: Practice Humility Along with Confidence
Di types are all about being powerful and in charge. However, acknowledging they don’t have all the answers can be very difficult for them but be their most powerful move. For example, a Di entrepreneur who owns up to a strategic mistake during a meeting will gain respect for their humility and honest appraisal. Everything DiSC explains that the humility of Di types actually amplifies their leadership by earning trust. Di’s can practice by asking for and sincerely listening to feedback and input from others regularly. Coworkers can support by giving constructive feedback in a direct, positive way that connects to the big picture because it appeals to the Di’s desire for action and strategic viewpoint.
Di types don’t have to become a different version of themselves to succeed. They just need to dial in a few things. Pausing for major moves, actively listening, valuing the details, respecting others’ work styles, and practicing humility alongside confidence are all areas where Di types can fine-tune and improve interactions without losing their power and sparkle. Everything DiSC demonstrates that even tiny adjustments can supercharge the Di type’s ability to lead and connect.
Di types can reflect on their areas of opportunity and pick one small area to work on—setting a goal to pause and limit themselves to 2 major decisions per week, for example. Coworkers can encourage Di types in their growth by providing clear, direct support to help them act on new behaviors.
Everything DiSC Di Style: Simple Adjustments For Success
In our Di series which covers the confident to charismatic, we’ve explored the natural strengths and common improvement areas of the Di style of Everything DiSC. Di types are leaders who take charge with magnetic energy and confidence. By focusing on taking action, making fast decisions, inspiring others, and moving toward big goals, Dis are able to make the biggest impact in an organization. They can supercharge their effectiveness by pausing more, listening to others, acknowledging details, exploring risks, respecting other work styles more and practicing humility with confidence.
These simple adjustments won’t change the Di’s essential nature. Instead, they will layer-on top of the Di type’s ability to lead and collaborate with a wide variety of coworkers. We hope you’ll join us for the next post in this series where we share our take on the power and value of the Di style in the workplace.
