1. DiSC Profile System
An instrument for
Understanding Yourself
And Others
To Improve
Team & Leadership Effectiveness

2. What is the DiSC?
 Examines behavior of individuals in their
environment.
 DiSC is an acronym for:
 Dominance – relating to control, power and assertiveness
 Influence – relating to social situations and communication
 Steadiness – relating to patience, persistence, and
thoughtfulness
 Conscientiousness – relating to structure and organization
 Everyone possesses all four; just to different extents.
 Each of these types has its own unique value to a team.

3. DiSC Matrix
Direct/Active
Up front/Larger group
“Go into all the world
and preach the gospel”
D i
Task-oriented People-oriented
Form & Function Feelings
C S
Indirect/Passive
Behind the scenes/One on one
“Be still and know that I am God”
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

4. Types of Leadership Approaches
Active/Direct influence
Decisive
Assertive
Fast Paced
D i
C S
Indirect influence
Cautious
Accommodating
Deliberate pace
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

5. Types of Situational Focus
e.g. Church Planting Situation
TASK PEOPLE
Unfavourable Favourable
Start-up situation D i Start-up situation
Resources (people, $)
Alone
No core group Healthy core group
Little resources Ownership of vision
Non-receptive
Diverse culture
C S Cohesive launch team
Prayer support
No support team Growing community
Lack of unity Potential for staff
Low budget
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

6. Church Planting & DiSC Styles
 All four styles have successfully planted churches.
 Some types “fit” better with some kinds of start up
situations than others.
 High D’s and I’s grow
churches/ministries/businesses faster and larger.
 High growth areas call for D’s and I’s.
 Slower growth areas call for S’s and C’s.
Data: 66 Churches of Christ, Planting
Growing Churches, page 97
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

7. High D--Dominance
(Driver, Director)
 Emphasis: Controlling the environment by overcoming opposition to
achieve desired goals.
 Drive: To control, achieve results
 Intent: To conquer
 Motivated by: Challenge, adventure
 Fear: being taken advantage of
 Weakness: Blindspot of other’s views
 Improve by: more attention to long-term planning and better
delegation; softer communication; sensitivity to needs of others; to
learn to relax
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

8. How the High “D”
Leads in the face of a barrier!
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

9. High I--Influence
(Expressive, Persuader)
 Emphasis: Creating the environment by motivating and aligning others
to accomplish results.
 Drive: to express, to be heard
 Intent: to persuade
 Motivated by: Recognition
 Fear: social rejection
 Weakness: disorganized
 Improve by: set objectives and watch details, avoid over-delegating (too
little accountability);
avoid over-optimism; improve time management
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

10. How the High “I”
leads the attack on the barrier
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

11. High S--Steadiness
(Amicable, Supporter)
 Emphasis: Maintaining the environment to carry out specific
tasks.
 Drive: to be stable, consistent
 Intent: to support
 Key to Motivation: Appreciation
 Fear: loss of stability
 Weakness: possessiveness
 Improve by: be more assertive; adjust more rapidly to
change; avoid procrastination and excessive possessiveness
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

12. How the High “S”
leads the attack on the barrier
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

13. High C--Conscientious
(Cautious, Analytical)
 Emphasis: Structuring the environment to produce quality products
and services
 Drive: to be right, accurate, certain
 Intent: to avoid trouble
 Motivated by: “proper way,” security
 Fear: Criticism of their work effort
 Weakness: privately over-critical, demanding of self and others
 Improve by: more self-confidence, tolerance for ambiguity, to make
quicker decisions, be more flexible and more amenable to change
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

14. How the High “C”
leads the attack on the barrier
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

15. DiSC Graph
D I S C
7
Intensity
High
Segment
Numbers
6
5 The higher the
plotting point
Midline 4 the more that
DiSC letter
3 describes your
behaviour
2
1
Low
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

16. Interpreting Your Results
 Determine the highest point of your charted
line in the four columns labeled D, I, S, C
 If you happen to have two characteristics that
come out equally high on your graph, use the
high point on Graph #2 to “break the tie” and
establish one column as your highest.
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

17. Let’s practice applying
 How would you recruit the following
types of people to be on your team to
accomplish a task?
 D group: How do you enlist an “S”?
 i group: How do you enlist a “C”?
 S group: How do you enlist an “D”?
 C group: How do you enlist an “i”?
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

18. Let’s practice applying
 In launching a new ministry initiative, which personalities
would be best suited for the following tasks?
 Prayer mobilization
 Vision communication
 Team building
 Gathering people
 Training
 Budgeting
 Fundraising
 Evaluation
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

19. Addressing Different
Leadership Styles
 Be Aware of Leadership Differences
 see Proverbs 4:7, Genesis 25:27
 Accept Leadership Differences
 see Romans 15:7; Ephesians 4:2
 Appreciate Leadership Differences
 see 1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:10

20. Final Thoughts
 No single style is “better” or “worse” than
the others. Everyone’s mix of behavioral
tendencies contains both strengths and
weaknesses.
 Most gravitate towards roles that fit our
personalities. We may struggle in roles where
our temperaments are tested in an ongoing way.
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center

21. Final Thoughts
 Learn to thank God for the distinctive way that He has
made you to fit and serve the church and the city around
you!
 Don’t let your personality control you,
(e.g. “that’s just the way I am…”)
Instead let God control your personality
(i.e. let Him fill/control you with His Spirit)
© J. Allen Thompson, International Church Planting Center