Welcome back to our DISC Style Deep Dive series written by John Wright, Senior Partner – The DISC Agency. Last time, we explored the High D – the dominant driver who thrives on results. Today, we’re shifting gears and diving into the energetic, people-focused world of the High I – the “Influencer”.
If the High D charges ahead to win the race, the High I is cheering everyone on, making sure the journey is exciting, and that no one gets bored along the way.
What is a High I?
According to TTI Success Insights’ DISC Assessment, the High I (Influence) style is enthusiastic, optimistic, and focused on relationships. They’re all about connection, recognition, and positive energy.
High Is are natural networkers and communicators. They light up a room, thrive on collaboration, and have a unique superpower: making people feel important.
They tend to ask the question:
“Who’s going to be there?” rather than “What’s the agenda?”
From the best selling book “Surrounded by Idiots“? Say Hello to Yellow
In Surrounded by Idiots, Thomas Erikson refers to High Is as the Yellow personality type. He writes:
“Yellows are the soul of every party. They’re creative, optimistic, and love people – lots of them. They hate being bored and don’t do well with strict rules or detailed tasks.”
High Is bring life to a team. But when their energy isn’t channelled constructively, they can come across as scattered, overly talkative, or lacking follow-through.
Sound like someone in your office… or maybe like you?
The Strengths of a High I
From TTI Success Insights data, High Is bring some fantastic natural strengths to any organisation:
- Persuasive communicators: They can sell ideas (and products) with charm.
- Relationship builders: They know everyone and build trust fast.
- Highly optimistic: Their positive attitude boosts team morale.
- Creative thinkers: They’re often the idea generators, thriving in brainstorming sessions.
High Is are essential in roles that require people skills, motivation, and a touch of sparkle.
The Watch Outs for High Is
With all that natural charisma comes a few blind spots. High Is can:
- Struggle with detail and follow-through
- Be overly emotional or reactive under pressure
- Avoid conflict or difficult conversations
- Get distracted or jump between ideas
As Erikson says:
“Yellows often speak before they think – and then think about what they’ve said… later. Their enthusiasm can sometimes override their judgement.”
Leading and Communicating with a High I
Want to get the best out of a High I? Try this:
- Be enthusiastic and friendly. Build rapport first.
- Let them talk. They process ideas out loud.
- Recognise their contributions. Praise goes a long way.
- Help them stay focused. Break projects into steps and follow up.
If you are a High I, your growth edge is learning to slow down, listen deeply, and finish what you start – especially when the excitement wears off.
The High I in the Workplace
At The DISC Agency, we often see High Is excel in roles where human connection and energy matter most:
- Business development
- Client-facing roles
- Event planning and marketing
- Team engagement or culture champions
They’re often the heart of a team – keeping energy high and spirits lifted. But for lasting impact, High Is benefit greatly from pairing with a High C or High S who can help keep the engine running smoothly.
We also recommend High Is explore the TTI TriMetrix EQ assessment, which adds a powerful layer of Emotional Intelligence – helping them read the room, not just light it up.
In Summary
High Is – or Yellows – are energetic, inspiring, and people-centric. They remind us that work should be fun, and relationships matter. When they learn to harness their influence with consistency, they become unstoppable.
Next in the series: The High S – The Steady Supporter Who Keeps It All Together.
Until then, keep communicating with care.
— 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
