Our nine-part series examines each of the 12 Everything DiSC Styles and covers additional articles about how these styles function across three key organizational roles.
- Management of others
- Relationship-building (ie: customer support and business development)
- Leadership
What Drives a Di Style? Understanding the Everything DiSC® Di Style
Di styles, the convergence of Dominance and Influence in Everything DiSC, are go-getters who dive into action and connect with others. When you meet one, they may walk into a room, take control, and make everyone excited about their big ideas. But what drives them? What gets them going in the morning or keeps them up at night? Let’s explore the five main motivators that push Di to action, which can help you understand and engage Di as a team member, a leader, or a manager.
Achievement: Beating Stretch Goals
Achievement is a major motivator for Di’s, as they set audacious goals and enjoy crushing them. Their Dominant side makes them laser-focused on results, while Influence makes them want to see and share those results. Imagine a Di project manager with the goal to deliver a project early and with a creative flair. They will get antsy if they do not have stretch goals. Di’s can use goal-setting strategies such as setting SMART goals, while managers can assign stretch assignments and new responsibilities. Achievement motivates Di’s, and when leveraged, leads to high energy and impact.
Recognition: Feeling Valued and Praised
Recognition is critical to a Di. They need to know that their contributions matter and are being acknowledged by others. This comes from their Influential side, which often makes them believe that they need to be seen as successful to feel good about themselves. A Di salesperson, for example, lights up when they get recognized for closing a big sale. According to Everything DiSC, Di’s are motivated by recognition, but when it is not received, it can lead to low energy and engagement. Leaders can keep them motivated by giving specific and timely praise such as, “Great job! Your leadership in this project was top-notch!” As for the Di’s, they can track their “wins” on a personal scorecard or journal to balance this need.
Influence: Convincing and Motivating Others
Influence is at the core of a Di’s motivation. They love to persuade and motivate others to do what they do or how they see things. This can be the most impactful when their assertiveness and charisma work well together. A Di could propose a new and risky marketing campaign, rousing everyone with their enthusiasm and strategic thinking. Everything DiSC says, “Persuasive pacesetters, they are especially effective in leadership or facilitation positions.” However, this can also lead to impatience when others cannot keep up or see things the same way. Di’s can work on this by putting themselves in situations where they can share and pitch their ideas, such as joining a Toastmasters club, while peers can channel their influence by asking them for their opinions and joining their vision to help refine it.
Variety & Excitement: Avoiding Stagnation and Boredom
Di’s don’t like to be stagnant for too long. Their Influential side despises boredom, while their Dominance needs to feel like they are progressing. So, if they are stuck doing the same task for a long time, they will get restless. That is why dynamic and fast-paced work, like consulting, would be a dream job for them. A Di entrepreneur, for example, would feel alive running their company and doing many things at once, like product development, marketing, and prospecting. This can cause impulsivity when they get bored. Di’s can leverage this drive by rotating between different tasks or having side projects. Companies can help them feel this way by providing flexibility in their work structure.
Winning: Playing to Win
A Di is a winner. They approach tasks and projects with a competitive mindset. They want to win and do well, not just participate or meet expectations. Whether negotiating with a client or working on a team project, Di’s want to crush it. Everything DiSC suggests, “Winning motivates them to do their best work.” However, when not careful, they can come across as trying to outperform everyone, which can alienate people. For this, the best mindset is to focus on winning for everyone involved. As a result, Di’s can track their victories using a scoreboard or habit-tracking app.
Unlocking the Everything DiSC Di style’s full potential
The Di style is motivated by achievement, recognition, influence, variety, excitement, and winning. Di’s are the powerhouse contributors who can make or break a team, idea, or project. For Di’s, you can reflect on these motivators to sharpen your focus on what you need to be productive and energized. For everyone else, you can leverage the traits of a Di style to unlock their full potential. In Part 2, we’ll look at how Di individuals work and think.
