Request a Callback
Give us your contact details and we'll get in touch at a time to suit you.
DISC Profile Factors: I for Influence
The DISC factor of openness and positive communication
The 'I' of DISC stands for Influence, a factor connected to communication, openness and social confidence.
Influence
The level of Influence in a personality appears second from the left on a standard DISC graph, following Dominance.
When Influence stands out as a major factor in a person's DISC profile, that profile describes someone with a positive attitude to other people, and the confidence to demonstrate that attitude. People of this kind are at their most comfortable in a social situation, and interact with others in an open and expressive way.
On a Style Card, Influence stands at the point where Assertiveness meets Openness, so High-I individuals are those who are active in approach, and oriented towards other people. This is the root of their socially confident and unreserved attitude.
Influence lies in the top-right quadrant of the Style Card, where Assertiveness meets Openness.
This focus on other people means that High-I's thrive on the attention and approval of other people, and they're more motivated by praise and appreciation than most other types. Despite their outgoing attitude, they're often unwilling to risk causing offense, and they'll often avoid possible confrontations. In other words, while a High-I is socially confident, they tend not to be particularly assertive or forceful.
When Influence is low in a profile, this implies a personality with far less concern for expressing themselves or interacting with others. Low-I's like this tend to turn their focus on more practical topics, concerning themselves more with achieving results than with building relationships.
Common Roles
The social impulses of a High-I individual mean that they'll be attracted to roles where these needs are fulfilled. In other words, high Influence individuals will be at their most motivated surrounded by other people, and with the scope to communicate freely. Conversely, they will tend to avoid more constrained or socially limiting situations.
A natural outlet for a High-I's outgoing style is in the area of sales, marketing or PR, especially in roles where they are able to use their communicative abilities to their fullest. One potential drawback here is that people with just high Influence in their profiles tend to lack the directness to close a sale, and a measure of Dominance can also be important in more challenging situations like direct sales.
Those with high Influence are often found in roles that involve teaching or training, and they can be highly effective in not only communicating ideas, but also inspiring others with their dynamic attitude. Roles of this kind will usually also need a level of expertise and knowledge, but high levels of Influence within the personality can be an important component.
Influence Scenarios
As the factor most involved with direct communication, the kinds of scenarios in which Influence is most significant tend to be those in which communication and interaction are the key components. Here are a few examples:
Presenting Ideas
Of all the factors, Influence is most connected with people who are comfortable with presenting ideas in front of an audience. Indeed, they often find situations like this to be motivating and rewarding, a fact that lends them an assured and enthusiastic presentation style.
Making a Decision
High-I's have the confidence to act in a decisive manner, but their focus on other people means that their decisions are often based on the popularity of the various outcomes, rather than purely practical considerations.
Working Within a Team
In some senses highly Influential people are ideal team players. They are actively interested in building positive working relationships, and they have the natural confidence to help direct the team as a whole. They do tend to take a rather informal approach at times, and this can be counterproductive where the team is working in more pressured conditions.
At a Glance:
Influence
- Self-confidence: High-I's are conspicuously confident in the company of others, and generally find it easy to form friendly relationships.
- Sociability: Strong Influence relates to a person who goes out of their way to build warm and positive relations with other people.
- Expressiveness: Their outgoing natures means that people like this tend to say what's on their mind in an open way.
- Informality: People like this prefer to communicate on a personal and relaxed level rather than be bound by formality.
- Enthusiasm: When engaged by an idea or topic, the naturally positive attitude of a High-I is often highly motivating for those around them.
Get Started Now
Choose the package to suit you from our range of special business offers.
Request a Callback
Give us your contact details and we'll get in touch at a time to suit you. Alternatively, call us on:
(214) 613-3983
Looking for your own personality report?
Understand your work style, help build your CV, and much more with your own personal report.
Download your free guide to DISC personality testing
Learn how DISC assessment can help improve your recruitment process, team building and leadership development.
Call us