In the first three posts in my four-part blog series on Everything DiSC®, I explored the preferences and tendencies that shape the workplace experience of dominant D style team members, the steady and even-tempered S style types, as well as those influence-focused people with the i style. This final post will explore the conscientious C style team players. Employees with this style bring precision, quiet diligence, and an ability to find practical solutions to the workplace.

A Closer Look at the C Style

With a strong focus on Accuracy in everything they do to ensure high-quality outcomes, C style folks are willing to do whatever it takes to get things right. They refuse to settle for sloppy work, instead devoting time to develop superior systems that help them analyze things carefully in order to make logical decisions based on objective facts.

People with the C style tend to be self-controlled and cautious, preferring predictable work environments where chaos and uncertainty won’t threaten the quality of their work. Skeptical of risky ideas and of making decisions quickly, they focus on maintaining Stability to produce consistent results.

Logical and methodical, they are often the skeptical voice in the group willing to Challenge people to look at things more carefully, to point out problems and flaws—all in the interest of getting things right. Their tendency for doing in-depth analysis of projects and ideas means that they probably prefer to work alone, although contributing to a team gives them the chance to give advice and share knowledge and expertise.

C style contributors’ drive for accuracy is essential to the success of any team or department or organization. With their systematic and objective approach to work, the standards they create and champion can surely help bring about efficient and high-quality outcomes. However, as they strive for precision—we might even say perfection—they may be particularly hard on themselves for being wrong and can be seen by others as a roadblock to progress.

Unlike their i style team mates who tend to act quickly and make gut-instinct decisions, cautious and highly analytical C style people may experience “analysis-paralysis” and find subtle ways to show their annoyance or anger when they think logic and facts are being ignored. Similarly, when working with dominant D style colleagues, they may find it extremely challenging to accommodate their fast-paced, action-oriented focus on achieving goals quickly and forcefully.

Applying DiSC Profiles

In spite of the C style’s preference for working in a stable environment where their logic is recognized and high standards are rewarded, every individual can absolutely achieve success in any career, in any setting. Each person simply takes a different path to get there. And that is one of the most fundamental truths to remember about Everything DiSC: the resulting in-depth profile report generated from this powerful personality assessment doesn’t put anyone in some kind of bubble or box that determines their destiny.

The results of the Everything DiSC Workplace® assessment provide insight and knowledge—knowledge that is golden when it comes to unleashing all of the potential we have to be effective and successful in our careers and in life. With the power of self-knowledge—and knowledge and understanding of the DiSC® styles of others—we can learn to adapt and to be flexible when interacting with team mates and co-workers, bosses, and direct reports to build stronger working relationships and healthier, more productive workplaces.