Let’s look at the C of DISC, Compliance, and the pros and cons of high C scores (Precise communicators) and low C scores (Pioneering communicators).
This factor measures how someone handles procedures and constraints.
High Cs are dependent, neat, careful, and compliant. They want to get the job done right and thrive on establishing routines and processes to follow in the workplace.
They avoid conflict at all costs and enjoy analyzing the communication patterns of others to develop their own people skills. They prefer data-based decisions and logical information over emotional information.
High Cs know how to ask the right questions. They take a large amount of pride in their work because they believe that work represents their true self— you can expect high quality from a high C, every time.
We mentioned conflict avoidance, but that doesn’t mean a Compliant communicator is a pushover— if pressed, high Cs will present their case with enough supportive data to prove their point. High Cs are masters of ‘showing their work’.
That same focus and drive can turn bad for high Cs if it’s not balanced. Their need for process and procedure can make them rigid or uncooperative in collaborative environments— they don’t want to pivot and will have a very difficult time doing so if you’re in a fast-paced environment.
Being more open-minded is the solution for high Cs to grow in the workplace. Try to keep the long-term goals of projects in mind and align your tasks with that goal, not just with completing the task itself. Going out of their Precise comfort zone will help build communication and confidence within their team.
Pioneering communicators are independent, unconventional, and outspoken. They like finding the best outcome with the best possible means, no matter how random or experimental. They prefer an uninhibited work environment and work best under leaders who trust in their ability to complete tasks their own way.
Low Cs are inquisitive, outgoing, and purposeful. They can roll with the punches and adjust on the fly and might even prefer to do so instead of adhering to a rigid structure. Their proclivity for innovation makes low Cs excellent big picture thinkers; if you want to establish a vision, ask a Pioneering communicator to dream big with you.
This big picture vision can be the downfall of a low C as well as their greatest strength. Their loose approach to problem solving and procedures can isolate them from more compliant team members and cause chaos within their team.
They can also be hard to follow at times; their line of thinking doesn’t track for everyone, which leads to miscommunication and wasted time. They also tend to disengage if working in an environment they deem too rigid.
Borrow from your more Precise counterparts and show your work as a low C! You don’t have to even necessarily change your way of thinking if you effectively communicate how you got from point to point. If you help others connect the dots, the abstract will then become achievable.
Compliance is important in the workplace, no matter where you fall on the scale! Precise and Pioneering communicators can learn from either side of the spectrum and adjust the way they approach procedures and compliance for greater success in the workplace.
If you want to unlock your potential with DISC or other behavioral assessment tools, TTI SI can help! Contact us here to get started.