DISC

These are posts related to Indigo DISC.

Classroom Management Tips for High Influencing Students

High Influencing Classroom Management Tips

Personalized classroom management strategies help meet individual student needs, fostering a positive learning environment, increasing motivation, and leading to better student performance. Understanding a student’s core DISC style provides a great framework helping each student thrive! In this blog, we’ll explore techniques for managing high influencing students, creating a structured and results-focused environment for optimal performance.

A High I DISC graph.

Someone who scores above 50 in the DISC Influencing behavioral style (yellow bar on the DISC graph) is considered “high” in that style. The higher the score, the more these classroom strategies typically apply.

A
high influencing student may have characteristics such as being outgoing, sociable and personable. While they tend to be talkative, about 25% of them also identify as introverts, needing alone time to recharge.

Learners with high influencing behavior styles tend to learn best out-loud. They need to talk with others, process externally (aka share their thoughts and ideas), and listen to others doing the same. Also, they thrive off of building relationships with others. Note that they may also be less analytical, and may tend to rely on their instincts and emotions when making decisions.

Here are some classroom management strategies to keep in mind for students who have a high influencing behavior style:

Encourage participation and collaboration.

High influencing students tend to be sociable and enjoy working with others. So encourage participation and collaboration in group activities and discussions.

Use a positive and enthusiastic tone.

High influencing students tend to be energetic and respond well to a positive and enthusiastic tone. Adopt this approach when communicating with them.

Create opportunities for public speaking and presentations.

High influencing students may enjoy opportunities for public speaking and presentations, so provide opportunities for them to showcase their skills.

Use humor and playfulness in the classroom.

High influencing students may respond well to humor and playfulness, so incorporate these elements into the classroom.

Encourage creativity and experimentation.

High influencing students tend to be creative and enjoy experimenting with new ideas. Encourage this type of thinking and expression.

Provide positive feedback and recognition.

High influencing students tend to respond well to positive feedback and recognition, so be sure to provide this consistently.

These strategies aim to provide an engaging and open learning environment that takes into account the individual needs of high dominance students and encourages them to take responsibility for their learning and behavior. It also provides opportunities for positive reinforcement and recognition and in time, know how to better advocate for themselves.

Note: It’s important to note that the DISC assessment is just one tool used to understand and describe behavior, and it should not be used to label or judge individuals. Each person is unique and may exhibit a combination of different behavioral traits. Additionally, behavior can change depending on the situation and context. Therefore, it is essential to use the information from the DISC assessment as a starting point for understanding and communication, not as a means of making judgments or assumptions about a person’s character or abilities.

Classroom Management Tips for High Dominance Students

High Dominance Classroom Management Tips

Personalized classroom management strategies help meet individual student needs, fostering a positive learning environment, increasing motivation, and leading to better student performance. Understanding a student’s core DISC style provides a great framework helping each student thrive! In this blog, we’ll explore techniques for managing high dominance students, creating a structured and results-focused environment for optimal performance.
Someone who scores above 50 in the DISC Dominance behavioral style (red bar on the DISC graph) is considered “high” in that style. The higher the score, the more these classroom strategies typically apply. A high dominance student may have characteristics such as being assertive, and self-assured, taking charge in group situations, and having a strong desire to be in control. They also tend to be very competitive. Additionally, they may not be afraid to speak their mind and express their opinions.
Here are some classroom management strategies to keep in mind for your students who have a high dominance behavioral style:

Encourage participation and leadership.

High dominance students tend to be confident and assertive, so provide opportunities for them to take a leadership role in class discussions and group activities.

Use positive reinforcement.

High dominance students often respond well to positive reinforcement, such as praise or rewards for good behavior.

Provide opportunities for competition.

High dominance students may enjoy a competitive environment, so incorporate opportunities for competition into class activities and assignments.

Be firm and consistent with consequences.

High dominance students may test boundaries, so be sure to be firm and consistent with consequences for misbehavior.

Avoid confrontations and show respect.

High dominance students may be more likely to react strongly to criticism or challenges to their authority, so avoid confrontations and show respect for their opinions and ideas.

Allow them to express their ideas, opinions and suggestions.

High dominance students may be opinionated, and they may want to express their ideas and suggestions. Encourage them to do so, but establish clear boundaries on appropriate ways to express themselves.

Give them a challenge that requires them to use their leadership skills in a positive way.

High dominance students may enjoy challenges that allow them to take a leadership role and use their assertiveness in a positive way.

These strategies aim to provide an engaging and open learning environment that takes into account the individual needs of high dominance students and encourages them to take responsibility for their learning and behavior. It also provides opportunities for positive reinforcement and recognition and in time, know how to better advocate for themselves.

Note: It’s important to note that the DISC assessment is just one tool used to understand and describe behavior, and it should not be used to label or judge individuals. Each person is unique and may exhibit a combination of different behavioral traits. Additionally, behavior can change depending on the situation and context. Therefore, it is essential to use the information from the DISC assessment as a starting point for understanding and communication, not as a means of making judgments or assumptions about a person’s character or abilities.

Compliance icon

Understanding Your DISC: Compliance

The C in DISC is Compliance.  Compliance reflects how you respond to process.

High Compliance people produce high quality work – that is important to them and they do not like to make mistakes. They are very detail-oriented. High C’s prefer environments where there are rules and procedures to follow. The higher the C score, the more this is true.

Low C’s tend to think of rules and regulations as suggestions. They are more focused on the result than the process. They are out of the box thinkers. Low C’s prefer environments with less structure and less focus on the details. The lower a person’s C score, the more this is true.

From Indigo CEO Sheri Smith:

High C’s and the Need for Perfection

“People who are High C are very concerned with being accurate, which can sometimes lead to perfectionism. If you struggle with this, I highly encourage you to practice compassion with yourself and become OK with the areas where you can’t be perfect. Think of your best friend or a loved family member; does your love for them have anything to do with them being ‘accurate’? I bet it’s their quirks and imperfections that you love most. Don’t be afraid that making mistakes will make you ‘less than’.”

DISC ACTIVITY: STEADINESS

Start by identifying your C score. You can find your C Score below the blue bar on the DISC graph. Do you have a high, medium, or low score?

Read through the lists of traits below and circle two that you think best describe you. If you are a Low C, focus on the Low C list. If you are a High C, focus on the High C list. Note that if your score is near the middle, you may identify with traits from both lists.

Low C Traits:
Independent
Efficient
Big-Picture Thinker
Risk-Taker
Innovative
Fast Worker

High C Traits:
Detail-Oriented
Structured
Systematic
Precise
Logical
Analytical

When have these traits worked well for you (school, work, leisure)? What are some challenges or problems you’ve faced exhibiting these traits?

IDEAL WORK ENVIRONMENT

Once you have read the posts for all the DISC styles, write out an Ideal Work Environment Statement. Your Ideal Environment Statement should be one to three sentences about your most distinct DISC traits, what they mean to you, and what sort of work environment would fit those traits.

Some examples of Ideal Work Environment Statements are:

    • I am High Dominance and Low Compliance, so I want to work in a place where I have a lot of choices and I’m not told what to do. I’m also High Aesthetic, so I want to work in a beautiful environment.
  •  
    • I am Low Influencing and High Steadiness and Compliance, so I want a stable work environment that has clear rules and where there is not a lot of interaction with people.

For more information about the Indigo Assessment, visit https://www.indigoeducationcompany.com/indigo-assessment/

Steadiness icon

Understanding Your DISC: Steadiness

The S in DISC is Steadiness.  Steadiness reflects how you respond to pace.

High S’s tend to be patient, routine driven, and supportive. High S’s like stable environments with clear expectations. High Steadiness folks usually do best when they take the time to make a plan and stick to the plan if at all possible. The higher the S score, the more this is true.

Low S’s tend to be adaptable, change oriented, and prefer variety. Low S’s like environments that are constantly changing. The lower the S score, the more this is true.

A High S DISC graph.

From Indigo CEO Sheri Smith:

Steadiness and Planning

“High Steadiness folks usually do best when they take the time to make a plan and stick to the plan to the best of their ability. If you are High Steadiness, and don’t already have a routine for life planning and goal setting every week/month/quarter/year, I highly recommend you start now and monitor your progress. You will find yourself getting more done, feeling less stressed, and getting closer to what you want out of life by tackling big decisions in a systematic manner.”

DISC ACTIVITY: STEADINESS

Start by identifying your S score. You can find your S Score below the green bar on the DISC graph. Do you have a high, medium, or low score?

Read through the lists of traits below and write down the ones that you think best describe you. If you are a Low S, focus on the Low S list. If you are a High S, focus on the High S list. Note that if your score is near the middle, you may identify with traits from both lists.

Low S Traits:
Adaptable
Likes Variety
Flexible
Active
Spontaneous
Impromptu

High S Traits:
Reliable
Supportive
Predictable
Patient
Consistent
Sincere

When have these traits worked well for you (school, work, leisure)? What are some challenges or problems you’ve faced exhibiting these traits?

For more information about the Indigo Assessment, visit https://www.indigoeducationcompany.com/indigo-assessment/

Influencing logo

Understanding Your DISC: Influencing

The I in DISC is Influencing.  Influencing reflects how you respond to people.

Scores above 50 are considered High I’s. High I’s tend to be talkative, enthusiastic, and outgoing. High I’s like to express themselves and connect with people. They trust others easily. The higher the score the more this is true.

Scores below 50 are considered Low I’s. Low I’s tend to be more reserved and reflective and listen more than they speak. Low I’s prefer a more cautious approach when developing trust. The lower the score the more this is true.

A High I DISC graph.

From Indigo CEO Sheri Smith:

Influencing and Introverts and Extroverts

“The Influencing score does not measure whether someone is an extrovert or introvert. It is possible for a High I person to be either type. The I score merely indicates the degree to which an individual enjoys a people-oriented, energetic environment. Extroverted High I’s gain energy from this type of environment, while introverted High I’s need time away from it to recharge. DISC measures how you do what you do. The terms “introvert” and “extrovert” measure how you recharge. If you suspect that you are a High I introvert, explore this by asking yourself questions about how you recharge.”

DISC ACTIVITY: INFLUENCING

Start by identifying your Influencing / I score on the DISC graph. You can find your I Score below the yellow bar on the DISC graph. Do you have a high, medium, or low score?

Read through the lists of traits below and write down the ones that you think best describe you. If you are a Low I, focus on the Low I list. If you are a High I, focus on the High I list. Note that if your score is near the middle, you may identify with traits from both lists.

Low I Traits:
Reflective
Good Listener
Observant
Thoughtful Communicator
Focused
Reserved

High I Traits:
Friendly
Optimistic
Enthusiastic
Persuasive
Self-Promoting
Sociable

When have these traits worked well for you (school, work, leisure)? What are some challenges or problems you’ve faced exhibiting these traits?

DISC, INFLUENCING, AND COMMUNICATION

In corporate America, DISC is used mainly as a communication tool. It is important for you to communicate with other people based on their DISC styles, not your own. For example, if you are a High I, you likely want to talk a lot, usually in a friendly, enthusiastic manner. However, a Low I prefers less chatter, more time to think before responding, and a quieter tone of voice.

Think of someone you know well with a different high/medium/low Influencing style than you (or a different DISC score in general). How can you communicate with this person differently now, based on what you know about communication styles?

For more information about the Indigo Assessment, visit https://www.indigoeducationcompany.com/indigo-assessment/

Dominance logo

Understanding Your DISC: Dominance

The D in DISC is Dominance.  Dominance reflects how people respond to problems.

Scores above 50 are considered High D’s. High D’s tend to address things directly and urgently, not minding if conflict is created. High D’s like intense environments with challenges and competition. The higher the D score the more these characteristics are true.

Scores under 50 are considered Low D’s. Low D’s tend to be deliberate and thoughtful, avoiding friction while solving problems. Low D’s prefer to work in more peaceful, collaborative settings. The lower the D score the more these characteristics are true.

A High D DISC graph.

From Indigo CEO Sheri Smith:

Can all DISC scores be leaders?

“I get this question often and the answer is, “Absolutely!” Western society tends to characterize High D’s and High I’s, only, as leaders. Our workplaces also reinforce this stereotype. However, there are many examples of people throughout history who lead with all the styles. I love to use Mother Theresa and Gandhi as examples. Both of them were likely Low Dominance and High Steadiness. They led by being consistent, peace loving, and collaborative.”

DISC ACTIVITY: DOMINANCE

Start by identifying your Dominance / D score on the DISC grph. You can find your D Score below the red bar on the DISC graph. Do you have a high, medium, or low score?

Read through the lists of traits below and write down the ones you think best describe you. If you are a Low D, focus on the Low D list. If you are a High D, focus on the High D list. Note that if your score is near the middle, you may identify with traits from both lists.

Low D Traits:
Team Player
Diplomatic
Cooperative
Agreeable
Collaborative
Modest

High D Traits:
Adventuresome
Direct
Competitive
Bold
Decisive
Results-Oriented

When have these traits worked well for you (school, work, leisure)? What are some challenges or problems you’ve faced exhibiting these traits?

DOMINANCE AND LEADERSHIP

Dominance is a quality that is often associated with leadership. It is important to know that both High and Low D’s make great leaders, but their leadership style looks different.

What does a High Dominance leadership style look like? (Remember, this is a “directive” style.)

What does a Low Dominance leadership style look like? (Remember, this style is collaborative and consensus in nature.)

What is your leadership style?

Note: We are not suggesting that you behave differently, but that you take ownership for your behavior and the impact it can have.

For more information about the Indigo Assessment, visit https://www.indigoeducationcompany.com/indigo-assessment/

A DISC graph with scores of D = 37, I = 92, S = 66, and C = 12. It has annotations showing that the 50 line is called the energy line and that scores above 50 are high, scores below 50 are low.

Understanding Indigo: DISC

Whether you’ve taken the Indigo Assessment or not, DISC scores can have a huge impact in helping you understand different aspects of your personality. DISC is an acronym that stands for Dominance, Influencing, Steadiness, and Compliance, the four categories that make up a person’s DISC results.

What is DISC?

The foundation for the DISC assessment was created in 1928 when Dr. William Moulton Marston published his book, Emotions of Normal People. Over the next century, behavioral scientists and other researchers created different measurement tools to quantify behaviors according to the models that Dr. Marston created. Indigo uses the DISC model and builds upon the decades of research to offer you a detailed glimpse into your own behaviors.

Where are my DISC scores?

Your DISC graph is located on the top right of the first page of your report. There are additional pages within your report that will give you more information about DISC and your results. Your scores will look something like this:

A DISC graph.

How Can I Use My DISC Results?

Each of your DISC scores falls somewhere between 0-100, and is indicated by a colored bar, with your numerical score listed below the bar. If any of your behavioral scores are above 50, they are considered high, while any scores under 50 are considered low. There are no good or bad scores in a DISC assessment. Your score just indicates which behaviors come more naturally to you. If you are in an environment that is better suited for a high score while you have a naturally low score, it will be more difficult for you to cope, and as a result, may drain your energy.

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