Welcome to the final article in our DISC Style Deep Dive series. So far, John’s explored the High D (the driven leader), the High I (the enthusiastic influencer), and the High S (the steady supporter).
Now, we turn to the High C (Compliance) style – the logical, detail-oriented thinker who thrives on precision, accuracy, and process.
If the High D is leading the charge, the High I is rallying the troops, and the High S is keeping everyone together, the High C is making sure the plan actually works.
What is a High C?
According to TTI Success Insights’ DISC Assessment, the High C style is analytical, systematic, and focused on facts and accuracy.
High Cs don’t make decisions based on gut feeling or emotions – they analyse all the available data before acting. They thrive on rules, processes, and quality control, and they can’t stand sloppy work or rushed decisions.
Their core question?
“Where’s the data to support that?”
From the best selling book, “Surrounded by Idiots“. The Blue Personality in Action
In Surrounded by Idiots, Thomas Erikson describes the High C as the Blue personality. He writes:
“Blues are perfectionists. They live in a world of logic and facts, and they expect others to be just as precise. They don’t take risks unless they are absolutely sure they will succeed.”
While High Is and High Ds jump in quickly, High Cs step back, analyse, and plan carefully. They spot errors others miss and are essential in roles where accuracy and structure matter most.
However, their focus on logic and rules can sometimes make them come across as cold, overly critical, or inflexible.
Sound like someone in your workplace? Or maybe yourself?
The Strengths of a High C
From TTI Success Insights data, High Cs are often the quality control experts of a business. Their strengths include:
- High attention to detail – Nothing gets past them.
- Logical and objective thinking – They remove emotion from decision-making.
- Strong analytical skills – They see patterns and solutions others don’t.
- Consistent and precise work – They uphold the highest standards.
High Cs are indispensable in roles where data, quality, and compliance are critical.
The Watch Outs for High Cs
Of course, their strengths can also become challenges. High Cs can:
- Be overly critical – They focus on what’s wrong rather than what’s working.
- Struggle with perfectionism – They may delay action while chasing the “perfect” plan.
- Be rigid in their thinking – If something isn’t logical, they may dismiss it.
- Have difficulty with emotional situations – Feelings don’t fit into their calculations.
As Erikson puts it:
“Blues believe the world should follow a structured, logical order. When it doesn’t, they struggle to understand why people don’t just ‘do things properly’.”
That’s why learning flexibility and emotional intelligence is crucial for High Cs.
Leading and Communicating with a High C
If you want to build a great working relationship with a High C, follow these tips:
✅ Be factual. Provide data, research, and logical reasoning.
✅ Give them time. They don’t like being rushed into quick decisions.
✅ Respect their need for structure. Sudden changes create stress.
✅ Be specific. Avoid vague or emotional arguments – focus on facts.
If you are a High C, your growth edge is learning to:
👉 Be more flexible – Not everything can be planned perfectly.
👉 Embrace progress over perfection – Sometimes “good enough” is enough.
👉 Recognise that emotions matter – People aren’t always logical!
The High C in the Workplace
At The DISC Agency, we often see High Cs excel in roles that require precision, analysis, and compliance, such as:
- Finance and accounting
- Engineering and IT
- Legal and regulatory roles
- Quality assurance and auditing
High Cs may not be the loudest voice in the room, but they are often the ones keeping everything running properly behind the scenes.
For High Cs looking to expand their leadership skills, we recommend the TTI TriMetrix EQ assessment, which combines DISC and Driving Forces with emotional intelligence insights to help them connect better with different personality types.
In Summary
High Cs – or Blues – are the perfectionists, planners, and problem-solvers of any team. They bring structure, precision, and high standards, ensuring that work is done right.
When they balance logic with emotional intelligence, they become extraordinary leaders.
Wrapping Up the DISC Series
This concludes our DISC Style Deep Dive series! Let’s recap:
🔴 High D – The Driver – Direct, results-focused, and competitive.
🟡 High I – The Influencer – Energetic, people-focused, and inspiring.
🟢 High S – The Supporter – Loyal, steady, and team-oriented.
🔵 High C – The Thinker – Analytical, precise, and structured.
Every team needs a balance of all four styles. The key to success? Self-awareness and adaptability.
If you want to unlock your DISC profile or book a DISC workshop for your team, get in touch with us at The DISC Agency. Call 1300 690 469.
Until next time, keep communicating with insight.
— John Wright, Senior Partner, The DISC Agency
To learn about our DISC Profiles and Assessments or to discover how our facilitated workshops can help your organisation, please contact us on 1300 690 469 or email our team at support@thediscagency.com.au
