The purpose of learning each other’s personality with the DISC is to lay a foundation of mutual understanding which will help us build positive communication based on individual strengths and areas of improvement. When we effectively communicate and reach each other’s core “being,” we validate our identity and purpose as a family, neighborhood, or community.
To understand ourselves and others, we will look at the DISC Model of Human Behavior as a tool to “assist us in building communication and connection by understanding values, beliefs, individual motivators, and primary fears of each person.”1
The DISC model is an observation about human nature and human behavior based on our human tendencies to be:
- Outgoing/Task-Oriented
- Outgoing/People-Oriented
- Reserved/People-Oriented
- Reserved/Task-oriented
Today, we will be looking at the Outgoing/People-Oriented or I Personality.
I Personality
The outgoing, people-oriented personality focuses on having fun. “They don’t have to worry about going to a party. They take the party with them everywhere they go! Here are other words to describe them:
- Inspirational
- Interactive
- Interesting
- Influential
- Imaginative
- Involved
- Impulsive
- Irritating
- Illogical (their challenge)”2
There are High I’s and Low I’s. The High I’s are known for their influence while the Low I’s are known for their support.
High I Personality – The Influencer
High I’s are known for their persuasive ability to influence other people’s thoughts and opinions. They attract people because of their outgoing and engaging personality.
High I Personality Traits
- Talkative with new people
- Interactive in new situations
- Persuasive in conversation
- Magnetic personality in group settings
High I Personality Strengths
High I’s enjoy interacting with other people. They delight in collaborating with others and problem solving alongside them. Their adventurous spirit makes them readily available to interact with new people and tackle new and interesting projects.
High I Personality Areas for Improvement
High I’s need to improve how they manage their time. High I’s tend to wilt if they are made to work in isolation or made to stick to a systematic regiment of requirements. They dread tons of research, mundane schedules and isolation.3
High I’s need to feel they are making an impact on the people around them. And they appreciate exerting influence in every situation they are a participant.
Low I Personality – The Supporter
Low I’s are known for their warm and friendly tone which enables them to connect on a deeper level and create trust.
Low I Personality Traits
- Supportive of other people and their goals
- Reserved in public, but outgoing in small groups
- Restrained emotional expressions
- Discreet with personal information
Low I Personality Strengths
Low I’s help bring team unity and build loyal relationships; provide a calm presence in a stressful environment; support other group members to achieve the group goals.
Low I Personality Areas for Improvement
Low I’s hesitate to speak up when something is wrong or making decisions which other group members might disapprove; can feel intimated or uncomfortable around strong personalities.4
Positive I Personality Characteristics
A positive I is friendly, optimistic and full of enthusiasm. Their joy for life is infectious. Their spontaneous, fun-loving, expressive nature poises them to make friends wherever they go.
An I is empathetic, responsive, and has a sensitivity to how others are feeling and doing. Their intuitive nature breaks down walls and barriers. Their optimistic and trusting demeanor helps others feel at ease. I’s do need mutually supportive relationships.
I’s outgoing, sociable, gregarious and expressive manner attract others in new situations. Their friendly and receptive nature help others feel calm, secure, and relaxed.
Challenging I Personality Characteristics
An I fears loss of approval and rejection which can hamper their ability to have authentic and deep relationships. Their craving for recognition can also stunt deep meaningful relationships. Their drive to be admired and found interesting can keep them from going beyond surface conversations. They need to find freedom to express themselves with all their likes and dislikes.
Their desire for spontaneity and fun can create problems if they are in a group working on a project that requires routine tasks (which they find boring) or a time schedule (which they find confining).
I personalities can talk too much which prevents full group participation. They can also withhold communication due to their approval seeking which can hurt the healthiness of the group dynamics.
I’s can be disorganized which causes them to be late and rush around last minute. They can delay group projects which can affect opportunities, profitability, and productivity.
They can attack verbally if they are put on the defensive. They can also keep a group from going deep if they remain in an entertainment surface mode of communication versus going deep relationally.
Communicating with an I Personality
When communicating to I’s, it is good to allow time for socializing, ask their opinions, and listen to their ideas.
If you are in a position of authority, outline the parameters of the group project with the accompanying timeline. Ask for their input regarding the process as they will usually have great ideas that will save time or will take the project to a higher level of influence. If you make your group fun and interactive, answer their “Who else is doing it?” questions, then the I personality will see that your project is enthusiastically completed and has a lasting impact.
Famous I Personalities
Dick Van Dyke, Elizabeth Taylor, Elton John, Gene Wilder, Justin Bieber and Oprah Winfrey.
Famous I Personality President
President Bill Clinton is well known for his social nature and his need to be the life of the party.
Purpose for Understanding I Personalities
The purpose of learning each other’s personality with the DISC is to lay a foundation of mutual understanding which will help us build positive communication based on individual strengths and areas of improvement. When we effectively communicate and reach each other’s core “being,” we validate our identity and purpose as a family, neighborhood, or community.
In this overview, we are not trying to label people or to imply that we can only function in one predictable manner. Rather, we are stating the four relatively predictable patterns of behavior help us gain insight into our behavioral tendencies, so that we can understand ourselves and others.
When we understand the enthusiastic energy I’s bring to the table, we value their ability to bring fun, optimism and unity to a group. Their ability to draw others out and communicate their own ideas, truly brings authentic collaboration between all group participants. ~Lisa Blair
We can appreciate all the inspiration I’s brings to a group as they share ideas, energize and entertain others. I’s may resists routine tasks and time constraints needed to accomplish a group project, so finding a fun way to overcome these obstacles will keep the group healthy and on task.
I Personalities are born Influencers.
Recommendation:
The Art of Encouragement – Strength with Dignity
Home & Family – Strength with Dignity
References:
1 Lamielle, Lindy. Three Benefits for Family Communication with DISC. Published by DISC Insights. Retrieved August 9, 2022, from https://blog.discinsights.com/three-benefits-for-family-communication-with-disc
2Understanding DISC. Published by Angel on Personality Profiles. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from Understanding DISC – Personality Profiles
3 Influencer High I. Published by wizehire. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from DISC Profile: High I Personality Type (Influencer) – WizeHire
4 Supporter Low I. Published by wizehire. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from DISC Profile: Low I Personality Type (Supporter) – WizeHire
Harris, Guy. The DISC Model of Human Behavior – A Quick Overview. Published on The Recovering Engineer in April 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2022, from The DISC Model of Human Behavior – A Quick Overview | Guy Harris: The Recovering Engineer
6 thoughts on “I Personality – How to Understand Ourselves and Others Pt 2”
Great job on detailing this personality type, Lisa-definitely NOT me, but what I enjoy is gleaning information which helps me understand others who are an “I” Personality!
They are a unique personality type, Donna! One of our children is a “High I” and learning about his personality type helped me learn to appreciate him when he was younger, instead of trying to change him into a “quieter” personality type.
I don’t remember what I was from my training. This one’s not me LOL. This, “When we effectively communicate and reach each other’s core “being,” we validate our identity and purpose as a family, neighborhood, or community.” Is profoundly true for sure.
One of my children is a High I and understanding who he was when he was little was a key for me as a mom.
Great detail here on the “I”, Lisa! I did DISC years ago, and your post made me look back on my results. I do resonate with Low I, and my results show I am SI for “this is expected of me.” In my work environment, the Low I is exactly me! haha! And I can hesitate when I sense others will disapprove, so I work on communication that will result in the least conflict (but if I know someone has “my back” so to speak, I can speak up much easier). Great information!
I find the DISC to be help in identity and in communication, Lynn. I’m a DC which is less than 3% of the population and 0.5% are women, so learning the DISC helped me let go of “being understood” and brought a lot of freedom in my life many years ago.