I've found the DISC Personal Profile System to be very helpful. It enables me to:
increase my appreciation of different work styles
adapt my personal style to relate to others
create the motivational environment most conducive to their success
know how best to convince or disagree with others so as to minimise conflicts
Is there a way to recognise a high D, I, S or C without having them respond to the DISC instrument and asking them the highest plotting point of their Graph 3?
I use the following as a general guide to recognise the various profiles.
The above shows two behavioural axes ... Ask and Tell; Control and Emote.
The horizontal axis (Ask - Tell) describes the continuum in which a person interacts with others.
Is the person more proactive or reactive? In conversation, does the person tend to ask rather than tell?
The vertical axis (Control - Emote) describes the continuum in which a person reveals his personal thoughts and feelings to others.
To what extent does this person keep to himself or express his thoughts and feelings to others?
Based on your observations of a person's behaviour plus what this person is concerned about (his motivation), you can form an initial impression of the person's probable profile as to whether he is a high D, I, S or C.
As mentioned, the above two behavioural axes are used only as a guide to "guess" a person's highest plotting point. There are many profile patterns; some with two high dimensions and some with three (refer to DISC instrument).
The DISC Personal Profile System explore behavioural issues across four primary dimensions:
Dominance: Direct & Decisive
High D's are strong-willed, strong-minded people who like accepting challenges, taking action, and getting immediate results.
Influence: Optimistic & Outgoing High I's are "people people" who like participating in teams, sharing ideas, and energizing and entertaining others.
Steadiness: Sympathetic & Cooperative High S's are helpful people who like working behind the scenes, performing in consistent and predictable ways, and being good listeners.
Conscientiousness: Concerned & Correct High C's are sticklers for quality and like planning ahead, employing systematic approaches, and checking and re-checking for accuracy.
The better your understanding of the general highlights of the D, I, S and C behavioural tendencies (refer to DISC instrument), the better you are able to recognise them.