DISC is a personality assessment that groups people into four primary behavioral styles:
D – Dominant: Direct, driven, competitive, results-oriented
I – Influential: Social, optimistic, enthusiastic, recognition-loving
S – Steady: Loyal, calm, dependable, team-focused
C – Conscientious: Detail-oriented, analytical, quality-driven, cautious
Each person is a unique blend, but usually one or two types dominate. The magic happens when you adjust your approach to fit the style of the person you’re working with
👩💼 Examples: Leading & Serving Different Personality Types
🟥 “D” – The Driver
Motivated by: Winning, control, challenges, goals
How to lead them: Give clear direction, set high standards, use recognition tied to performance.
Example: A “D” type consultant may thrive in a monthly challenge. Give her a goal (“Book 10 faces in 7 days”), and she’ll rise to the occasion—especially if there’s public recognition or a competitive element.
🟨 “I” – The Influencer
Motivated by: Fun, friends, praise, spotlight
How to lead them: Keep things exciting, celebrate everything, invite them to share on calls or in your Facebook group.
Example: An “I” type will love being spotlighted on your team page. Let her emcee part of a unit Zoom or post a reel about her favorite product—she’ll light up!
🟩 “S” – The Steady Soul
Motivated by: Security, consistency, relationships, being helpful
How to lead them: Be patient, provide clear structure, check in often, and offer lots of encouragement.
Example: Pressuring an “S” to immediately recruit may cause her to freeze up. Instead, walk her through the process gently, give her scripts, and celebrate small steps like sending out her first sharing text.
🟦 “C” – The Cautious Thinker
Motivated by: Details, logic, data, doing things “right”
How to lead them: Give them all the info, explain the “why,” and let them decide in their own time.
Example: A “C” customer will ask what ingredients are in a product or want to compare price-per-use. Respect her thought process. Send detailed follow-up info and let her purchase when she’s ready.
🛠️ Action Step: Make DISC Part of Your System
Start by incorporating a fun, short DISC quiz into your:
New consultant onboarding: Help them understand their strengths and how they like to be led.
Customer intake forms: Tailor how you follow up and serve each client.
Coaching conversations: Know who needs a push and who needs a hug!
You can use free tools online or simply ask a few key questions like:
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“Do you like big picture or details?”
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“Do you like to move fast or take your time?”
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“Do you prefer solo goals or group experiences?”
🌟 Final Thoughts
When you lead and serve people the way they need to be led and served, everything changes. You create deeper loyalty, reduce frustration, and empower others to thrive in their own unique style.
DISC isn’t just a leadership tool—it’s a connection tool. And connection is the heart of success in Mary Kay.