The do’s and don’ts per DISC style
What works well for one behavioural style may not work at all for another. In fact, it can backfire. If you want to improve communication with other behavioural styles, the DISC do’s and don’ts below can help you.
Red DISC style
| Do’s | Dont’s |
|---|---|
| Stick to the headlines | Discuss the risks in detail |
| Make it clear what it achieves | Start a personal conversation |
| Make eye contact | Drift off topic |
| Give the other person choices, but let them decide for themselves | Being sensitive about sanctions or threats |
| Don’t be overwhelmed | Using doubt language |
| Dare to interrupt the other person | Come across as insecure |
| Stay in control | Be humble |
| Respect one’s time | Come across as disorganised |
| Prepare properly | Forget or lose things |
| Expect additional questions | Engage in discussion based on emotion |
| Endorse justified arguments | Leave things unsaid |
Yellow DISC style
| Do’s | Dont’s |
|---|---|
| Pay attention to the social aspect | Getting over the other person’s feelings |
| Make concrete (time) agreements | React detached |
| Give genuine compliments | Having a conversation purely on the facts |
| Bring things light-hearted and with humour | Going into details |
| Create a good atmosphere | Let long silences fall |
| Be careful not to be disturbed | Use formal language |
| Focus on the essentials | Let the other ramble on for a long period |
| Understanding one’s limited concentration | Going along in what could be for too long |
| Creating structure in conversations | Go without concrete commitments |
| Focus on the relationship first, then the task | Talk in impossibilities |
Green DISC style
| Do’s | Dont’s |
|---|---|
| Give the other person space and time to respond | Expect an immediate decision |
| Show genuine interest and attention | Focusing only on the task at hand in the conversation |
| Bevestig de ander regelmatig | Facing a confrontation |
| Take initiative in the conversation | Trying to rush the other person |
| Match your pace to the other person | Long-term eye contact |
| Avoid discussions that get tense | Getting right down to business |
| Express your sincere appreciation | Suddenly change course |
| Ask open-ended questions and wait for response | Ask for opinion in a group |
| Provide clear instruction on the how | Disturbing the harmony or atmosphere |
| Take your time, put the other person at ease | Offering assurance you cannot deliver |
Blue DISC style
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Wees heel goed voorbereid | Te vroeg of te laat komen |
| Kom met feiten | Een emotioneel betoog houden |
| Onderbouw je verhaal | Stiltes volpraten |
| Luister actief, maak aantekeningen | Een persoonlijk gesprek aangaan |
| Bevestig gemaakte afspraken | Van de hak op de tak springen |
| Houd afstand, letterlijk en figuurlijk | Met veel energie en kabaal binnenkomen |
| Regels en procedures volgen | Pushen, onder druk zetten |
| Voor kwaliteit gaan | Slordig of onzorgvuldig overkomen |
| Je aan je afspraken houden | Aannames doen of vaag zijn |
| Je voorstel schriftelijk doen | Risico’s nemen |
Download the DISC characteristics card
With the DISC characteristics chart, you can see at a glance all the characteristics associated with the different DISC profiles. Besides the qualities, pitfalls and fears, you will also find how they usually react to stress, what they dislike and what they wonder about.
