People high in the C style are analytical, precise and focused on quality. They value accuracy, logic and doing things correctly. Marston named this dimension Compliance, describing adherence to rules and standards. Many modern DISC versions call it Conscientiousness, reflecting the focus on quality and careful work.
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The C Profile At A Glance
| Aspect | High C |
|---|---|
| Focus | Accuracy and quality |
| Pace | Careful, deliberate |
| Motivated by | Expertise, correctness, clear standards |
| Fears | Criticism of their work, being wrong |
| Under pressure | Overly critical, withdrawn |
| Communication | Precise, factual, written |
How C People Behave At Work
- Check facts and details thoroughly.
- Follow procedures and set high standards.
- Prefer working independently on complex tasks.
- Ask probing questions before agreeing.
- Produce accurate, well-researched work.
Strengths And Watch-Outs
| Strength | Watch-out |
|---|---|
| Accurate | Perfectionism |
| Analytical | Over-analysis |
| Systematic | Rigidity with rules |
| Objective | Seeming cold or critical |
Under Stress
High Cs under pressure may become overly critical, withdraw into detail, or delay decisions until they have more information.
How To Communicate With A High C
- Bring data and evidence.
- Be precise; vague statements frustrate them.
- Give time to analyse before decisions.
- Put key details in writing.
- Critique the work, not the person, with specifics.
C Blends
| Blend | Description |
|---|---|
| Cd | Conscientiousness with Dominance: demanding, high-standards analyst |
| Cs | Conscientiousness with Steadiness: careful, reliable specialist |
| Ci | Conscientiousness with Influence: precise but sociable, less common |
Growing As A High C
- Set “good enough” standards for lower-stakes work.
- Share work in progress for early feedback.
- Express appreciation, not only corrections.
Explore other styles: Dominance, Influence and Steadiness. See DISC careers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DISC C Compliance or Conscientiousness?
Both names are used. Marston originally used Compliance; many modern versions use Conscientiousness.
Is DISC C the same as Big Five conscientiousness?
They overlap but are not the same. DISC C describes a work behaviour style; Big Five conscientiousness is a broad personality trait.
What jobs suit high Cs?
Finance, engineering, research, quality assurance, law and IT often suit them.
DISC describes behaviour styles, not abilities. Not affiliated with any commercial DISC assessment.