D-Style Profile Type: Dominance

Your DISC test identifies your primary DISC style. The D-style profile type, also known as dominance or D-style personality type, is one of the 4 DISC types.

The D-style profile is one of the 4 DISC profile types including I-style, S-style and C-style profiles. The DISC types come from the William Marston’s DISC Model. They make up approximately 9% of the worldwide population.

When understanding any of the 4 DISC types, keep the following important points in mind. There is no DISC profile that is better or worse. All DISC styles have strengths and development areas; they just happen to be different. A person’s DISC style does not limit what can be accomplished or how successful one can be. It simply predicts how we tend to do things.

We can find all of the four DISC types represented by very successful people. However, the most successful people know who they are. They modify their style appropriately with different styles of people and in different situations.

Describing the D-style profile type

The D-style profile is the most assertive and demanding of the four DISC types. D-styles tend to be quite competitive and results-oriented. Hence, others see D-styles as being aggressive, blunt, and even rude. When D-styles feel pressured they want to focus even more on getting things done. Therefore, they can come across as insensitive or showing a lack of concern for others. They do not want to lose control. Rather, they want to focus on actively being in charge of tasks and things.

D-styles prefer to move quickly. They are willing to take risks and want to get things done now. They like change and challenges. D-styles can also be impatient and overbearing because they want things done quickly and done their way. They are usually not very good listeners and are prone to make snap decisions. However, they excel at looking at the big picture and multi-tasking. The D-style motto is, “I did it my way”.

They can be limited by their lack of humility, which others may view as arrogance. D-styles like to ask the “what” questions, “What is the bottom line?” or ” What is in it for me?”

How to identify the D-style profile type

Here are some quick and simple ways to identify the D-style profile type:

• Often appears to be in a hurry.
• Is direct and says what he/she thinks.
• May be blunt.
• States own opinions as facts.
• Interrupts others.
• May talk to many people at the same time.
• “What’s the bottom line?”
• “How does this benefit ME?”
• Very impatient.
• Becomes irritated easily.

D-style Profile Attributes

Attributes are the words people use to describe the behavioral style of the D-style profile. It is not always the words the person would use to describe his/her own behavior. In addition, one certainly can adapt from one’s natural DISC style to different situations and roles.

D-style profile’s communication style

D-styles often communicate in one direction. They talk and expect others to listen. D-profiles express their own opinions as fact; meaning their opinions need no further discussion. They may be blunt and they can often challenge others. Your interactions with the D-profile may feel like a competition. You will need to stand toe-to-toe. Since they want to move and complete tasks quickly, they may interrupt often and not ask for input from others.

Leadership style of the D-style profile type

Examples of famous D-styles personality profiles

Using examples of people we know, famous or otherwise, helps us to quickly identify DISC styles.

• Simon Cowell
• Rosie O’Donnell
• Alec Baldwin
• Kanye West
• Tyra Banks
• Madonna
• J.R. Ewing of “Dallas”
• Coach Bobby Knight
• Venus Williams
• Bernadette of Big Bang Theory
• Captain Kirk of Star Trek

From our blog: D-style Personality Type: I Did it my Way!

What about the other DISC styles, also known as DISC Personality Types?