Welcome back to our DISC Style Deep Dive series. So far, John Wright has explored the High D – the fast-moving, results-driven leader – and the High I, the charismatic influencer who thrives on connection.
Now, we’re shifting gears to a style that keeps teams grounded, supports others, and values harmony – the High S (Steadiness).
If the High D is pushing ahead and the High I is energising the group, the High S is making sure everyone is okay and that the journey feels calm, consistent, and stable.
What is a High S?
According to TTI Success Insights’ DISC Assessment, the High S style is supportive, reliable, and people-focused. They bring a steady, patient, and thoughtful approach to work and relationships.
Unlike the High I, who loves a buzzing room full of people, the High S thrives in one-on-one or small-group settings, where they can build meaningful, long-term relationships.
Our High Ss are the team members who stick around, listen well, and always have your back.
Their core question?
“How can I help?”
From the best selling book “Surrounded by Idiots” The Green Personality in Action
In Surrounded by Idiots, Thomas Erikson describes the High S as the Green personality. He writes:
“Greens are the glue of society. They’re calm, thoughtful, and genuinely care about others. But they don’t like change, and they definitely don’t like conflict.”
High Ss are fantastic team players. They’re empathetic, loyal, and incredibly dependable.
But their desire for harmony can sometimes lead to avoiding confrontation, which means they might agree outwardly but feel differently inside.
Sound like someone in your team? Or maybe yourself?
The Strengths of a High S
From TTI Success Insights data, High Ss bring some invaluable qualities to a team:
- Incredibly loyal – Once they commit, they’re in for the long haul.
- Great listeners – They make people feel heard and valued.
- Patient and reliable – They bring calmness to chaotic situations.
- Team-oriented – They prefer collaboration over competition.
Our High Ss are the quiet force that keeps teams running smoothly, relationships intact, and people feeling supported.
The Watch Outs for High Ss
Of course, every style has its challenges. High Ss can:
- Resist change – They prefer stability and may struggle with fast shifts.
- Avoid conflict – They may say yes when they mean no just to keep the peace.
- Suppress their own needs – They often prioritise others over themselves.
- Struggle to speak up – Especially when faced with more dominant personalities (hello, High D!).
As Erikson puts it:
“Greens might not say much, but that doesn’t mean they agree. They just don’t see the point in arguing.”
That’s why helping a High S feel safe to voice their opinions is crucial for their growth.
Leading and Communicating with a High S
If you want to build a great relationship with a High S, here’s what works best:
✅ Be patient. Give them time to process and respond.
✅ Show appreciation. A simple “thank you” means the world to them.
✅ Provide stability. Sudden, unpredictable changes stress them out.
✅ Encourage them to share their thoughts. They have insights worth hearing!
If you are a High S, your growth edge is learning to:
👉 Speak up for yourself (your voice matters).
👉 Embrace change as an opportunity, not a threat.
👉 Set boundaries instead of always saying yes.
The High S in the Workplace
At The DISC Agency, we often see High Ss excel in roles that require support, structure, and relationship-building, such as:
- Human resources
- Customer service
- Administrative and operations roles
- Nursing and counselling
They often avoid the spotlight, but without them, teams would crumble under pressure.
We also recommend High Ss explore the TTI TriMetrix EQ assessment, which adds a self-awareness and emotional intelligence layer to help them navigate difficult conversations with confidence.
In Summary
High Ss – or Greens – are the steady backbone of any successful team. They may not be the loudest voice in the room, but they are often the most trusted.
When they learn to speak up, set boundaries, and embrace change, they transform into powerful, influential leaders in their own way.
Next in the series: The High C – The Cautious Thinker Who Demands Accuracy.
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
