DISC Profiles - A shorthand for a cold read.

DISC Cube, no this is not another geometric oxymoron!

Read on to and learn just how to begin your mastery of the an accessible personality matrixing system.

Last week, I had the privilege of attending a sales event hosted by Darren Pratley CSP ??, and it left me reflecting on the power of DISC profiles in communication and leadership. DISC—Dominance (D) ??, Influence (I) ??, Steadiness (S) ??, and Conscientiousness (C) ??—We left with a kind of Rubik’s Cube for personalities ??.

It’s a takeaway tool ??? that helps us understand and navigate the complexity of human interactions ??. Personalities are just as intricate as any puzzle, but once you know how to align the pieces, you can leap across the communication chasm ?? with ease.

The cube serves as a physical reminder of the patterns in our interactions, encouraging you to practice awareness and repetition. The more you engage with it, the better you become at navigating personality dynamics in real-time.

The Cube and the Four "Humours" ??

The cube itself is divided into four sections, with the top surface forming four isosceles triangles—a symbolic breakdown of our core personality traits and communication styles. It’s like a tactile guide to DISC, giving you a quick reference to understand how we naturally behave and how we might interact with others. Life, after all, is full of patterns, and the DISC system offers powerful insights into how to align those patterns for smoother communication. ??

What caught my eye with DISC is its overlap with Hippocrates’ 4 humours proposition. ?? Hippocrates—often cited as the father of modern medicine and referenced in the 'Hippocratic Oath'—was a singular contributor to Biology. He discovered that the body held secretions influencing chemistry and organ behavior, long before the structure of the cell was even fully understood. This began as initial interpretation in the form of the most present and influential biles the body produced. Later resolution was added and the system was developed into a far more accurate understanding,

Fast forward a few millennia and we know secretions as hormones are paramount in our bodies: Growth, development and function ??. But way back when, Hippocrates settled on four humours through a mix of observation of character and bodily function. While modern science has since refined his theories by thousands of megapixels, he was among the first to codify the relationship between behavior, physiology, and hormones—a pretty impressive vanguard of medicine! ??

• Melancholic: In these people, black bile predominates. They have a melancholic temperament, are very sensitive, and enjoy artistic pursuits. (C-Concise)
• Choleric: People in this category have a higher amount of yellow bile, which is the source of their passionate temperament. They have enormous vitality and get angry quickly. (D-Dominant)
• Sanguine: Blood is the predominant humour in these people. They’re confident, joyful, optimistic, expressive, sociable and adaptable. (I-Influence)
• Phlegmatic: The phlegmatic have a high amount of phlegm in their systems. They’re deep thinkers, fair, calm, willing to compromise, and hard workers. (S-Steady)

The DISC profile lays over these undergirding complexes well, ?? one would suppose it's a progenitor of these ideas from antiquity.

But they are still relevant today! ???

These influences are more complex and integrative (systematic) than we first appreciated—that is to say, they were in conjunction, in tension, and in concurrency across the whole body. However, it's now more evident than ever that hormones are paramount in how we experience the world and therefore fundamental when trying to interpret psychology and behavior.

So I wanted to outline just a few examples of different examples of what I Learned About DISC Interactions and how humours integrate.

Different DISC profiles interact uniquely and the importance of?adaptation as multiplier when it comes to building productive relationships. Here’s a summary of the key dynamics I explored:

1???Dominance (D) & Influence (I)

Both are action-driven and love momentum, but D focuses on?what?to achieve, while I zeroes in on?who?to engage. The challenge? Balancing structure with enthusiasm.

2???Dominance (D) & Steadiness (S)

These two are goal-oriented but operate at different paces. D’s urgency can overwhelm S’s calm approach. The key? D learns to slow down, and S embraces a bit of urgency.

3???Influence (I) & Conscientiousness (C)

I brings creative freedom, while C thrives on precision. Their challenge lies in managing spontaneity and structure. But when they align, the results are extraordinary—big-picture ideas executed to perfection.

4???Steadiness (S) & Conscientiousness (C)

Both are thoughtful and cautious, but together they can get stuck in over-analysis. The magic happens when empathy (S) meets logic (C).

5???Dominance (D) & Conscientiousness (C)

D wants speed; C wants accuracy. The challenge is real, but when they strike a balance, they become a powerful duo—quick to act and flawless in execution.

Patterns, Practice, and the Secret to Success

The event really highlighted that communication is a skill ??? with an academic domain, just like solving a Rubik’s Cube ??—it takes practice, observation, patience, and pattern assimilation. With consistent effort, anyone can up their communication game and unlock deeper connections, whether at work or in personal relationships. ??

In truth, we have since learned there are 6 personality distinctions governed by specific hormones ?? and developmental patterns that act as a more refined way to understand some basic behavioral principles and patterns. It gives us a sense of motivation, function, neural framework, and organ distribution, all of which are driven by those same secretions Hippocrates theorised until 377 BC, when he shuffled off to Elysium, leaving quite the legacy. ??

With that said, DISC is a great functional start to improve outcomes in any setting or context when it comes to interpersonal interaction, resources are all over the web to find out for yourself. Link in comments to help shuttle you along!

Which DISC profile do you resonate with the most? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! ??

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