C Style DISC Personality

What is a C Style Personality?

The “C” in DISC represents the Compliance personality type, one of the four core styles in William Marston’s DISC Model. A High C style is characterised by precision, logic and attention to detail. They are highly motivated to learn, especially when it enhances the quality of their work, and they prioritise accuracy and thoroughness in everything they do. C Styles make up approximately 31% of the worldwide population.

Key Characteristics of a C Style Personality

C styles are exact, logical and analytical. They require lots of process, structure and rules. C’s make decisions using logic, rather than being swayed by emotions. Their ability to think deeply about issues helps to make type C personalities excellent problem-solvers. They are focused on tasks and ensure things get done correctly. C profiles tend to produce high-quality work.

C styles are:

• Private
• Precise
• Logical
• Careful
• Formal
• Exact

Communication of a C Style Personality

C styles talk a lot about facts and figures and can be reasonably quiet and reserved. They tend to ask questions versus making statements, as this allows them to gather more data. C’s have a slower pace of speech which can come across as measured and logical in their delivery and communication style. C styles avoid small talk and go straight to the facts. Type C personality styles prefer to use written communication over verbal communication. 

C styles usually ask ‘why’ questions like:

• ‘Why are we doing this?’
• ‘Why does it work that way?’

When communicating with C Style individuals, slow down and give them time to think and ask all of their questions. When you can, try to provide type C personalities with written information ahead of your discussion.

How to Work with a C Style Personality

Meeting with a C Style

Prepare a schedule beforehand to provide the C style with written information. Approach with a businesslike demeanour and be open to questions. Be prepared to tell them why, when, and where of what you expect, they will explain ‘how’ once they have all the details.

Emailing a C Style

C styles like straightforward emails, they want all the essential details delivered clearly and factually. If you’re under time pressure, be specific in what you need and when you need it. Include a timeframe for response, and pass over as much information as possible. C personalities prefer a logical approach, so try to remove any emotion from your emails.

Providing a C Style with Feedback

Any feedback should be delivered privately and focus on how they can complete a task more effectively. C styles are not big on aggression. They like to think logically, show them your logic and data upfront. C styles are proud of their accuracy. Positive feedback should concentrate on their thoroughness and correctness.

Motivating C Styles

C styles drive comes from harmonious environments where they have a chance to expand their knowledge and specialise. Facts, figures and data appeal to a C style person. They don’t need recognition as long as they can tell that they’ve reached a tangible goal.

Managing C Styles

Set clear expectations and boundaries. Allow them personal autonomy to complete tasks and display their expertise. C styles do not deal well with change, try to remove any sudden variances from their environment. When managing C personality types, provide them with a secure and risk-free working environment and support them when they need it.

How C Styles Work Remotely

Ensure you provide very detailed emails with your C style workers, so they know the tasks they need to accomplish and how to perform them. When working remotely, ensure you check-in regularly with your C style people so they can ask questions and discuss their concerns. 

C Style Leaders

A C style leader focuses on quality, rules and compliance with little tolerance for mistakes. Quality leaders are fascinated by facts, details and analyses. They emphasise regulations and compliance and do not usually lead through inspiration or words of encouragement. 

What does a C Style Personality Contribute to a Team?

C styles provide the focus for the team. They help keep everyone concentrated on the issues and act as internal controllers. They remember decisions from previous meetings and take detailed notes.

C styles are great at delegating tasks and responsibilities and give others room to focus on their work. Type C personality styles contribute the analytical side to a team. They analyse problems and handle issues thoroughly.

What are the Strengths of a C Type Personality?

C styles are methodical and cautious, making them excellent analysts. C type personalities approach problems systematically and take their time to think things through.  C’s are comfortable with lots of data and ensure everything works the way it should. C styles want to be correct and to produce high-quality work. They do not want to make mistakes.

These strengths come easily and naturally to C personality types:

• Finding mistakes
• Great at quality control
• Proceeding carefully and thoughtfully
• Notices missed details
• Doesn’t allow emotions to influence decision
• Provides supporting information

What are the Potential Weaknesses in a C Type Personality?

C styles can suffer from ‘analysis paralysis’ and tend to take a long time to assess all factors before making decisions. C styles’ desire to do things correctly can also slow down their decision-making.

C’s tend to look for perfect solutions rather than workable solutions and may take a long time to complete tasks. They may come across as too critical in their analysis of accuracy and quality.

C styles: 

• Prefer to work independently
• Need lots of information to support decisions
• Can be afraid of taking risks
• Clings to details
• Focuses on the small details rather than the big picture

Typical Careers for a C Style Personality

• Technicians 
• IT Consultants
• Accountants
• Engineers
• Inventory Control
• Operations Managers

It’s important to note that your DISC personality type does not limit your career opportunities in any way. It simply helps you understand what behaviours will take energy and which come naturally to you.

C Style Celebrity Personalities

• Albert Einstein (Physicist)
• Kevin Rudd (Politician)
• Clint Eastwood (Actor and filmmaker)
• James May (TV Host on Top Gear)
• C-3PO (Star Wars)
• Bill Gates (businessman)
• Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory)

What about the other DISC Styles?

D personality styles are risk-takers, decisive and results-oriented. They move fast and complete tasks quickly.

I personality styles are talkative, optimistic and lively. They are people-focused and influence others.

S styles are calm, patient and modest. They are people-focused and eager to help others.