DataDome Blog

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that means it is time for another episode of our continuing series – the World According to DISC. DISC profiles are an invaluable tool to help understand an individual’s behavior at work and at home, when relaxed and when stressed. Let’s meet one family and see how their behavioral styles influence their holiday celebration.

Don is a high D who works in sales. It’s been a slow year and the imminent arrival of Thanksgiving is a big reminder that most of the year is gone and time is running short if he is going to make his numbers for the year. He’s frustrated that so many people will be off of work, because every day between now and the end of the year counts so much toward hitting his targets. The one saving grace in his opinion is football. He’ll have a hard time keeping his seat at the dinner table because he’s focused on getting in a big dose of big screen football time. Since he can’t make any sales call on Thanksgiving Day anyway he’ll be diverting all his attention to cheering on his favorite teams.

Irene, Don’s wife, is a high I. She loves Thanksgiving mostly because it means the holiday party season has arrived and she loves to go to parties. She’s actually doing her best to try to turn the family Thanksgiving celebration into a party – she has invited just about every neighbor on her block to drop by and share dessert with them after the big turkey dinner. In fact, she’s starting to worry that she won’t have enough desserts and she’s rushing to the store to do a last minute shopping with her daughter, Sally in tow. Although Sally’s not enjoying the hectic scene at the supermarket, Irene is in her element – she’s run into several friend’s and is now happily chattering away with the cashier.

Daughter Sally is a high S and although she seems calm on the outside, she’s cringing on the inside at the turmoil in the supermarket. She didn’t really want to go, but her mom was in such a sudden panic about not having enough for dessert that she didn’t want to make a fuss. She’s looking forward to seeing her uncle and cousins who come to their house for Thanksgiving dinner every year. The lead-up and preparation is always a bit too hectic for her and her sister, Connie, is always snapping directions at her. Sally feels more comfortable after the big dinner when everything slows down. The football fans crowd into the den to cheer their favorite teams while Sally visits quietly with her cousins as they take their time clearing the table and putting away the leftovers.

Connie, is Sally’s older sister and has a high C disc profile. She has been snapping and fussing all day trying to put things in proper order for the big feast. She can’t understand why Sally takes so long to set the table when the process should be clear. She would do it herself, but she’s too busy because a few years ago she took over the cooking duties from her mother. Irene is a friendly person, but she can’t follow a recipe and Connie is now in charge of the Thanksgiving menu. She’s also planning on asking Don if she can carve the turkey this year – she thinks he makes a mess of it and she has been studying the proper procedure online for how to get the most meat off the bone in a neat and efficient manner. She’s set up a work area on the dining room sideboard with a platter and all the carving tools. She’s timed the turkey to be ready at 5pm exactly and she’s going to throw a fit if the bird is dry because Irene and Sally are late getting back from the supermarket.

Despite Connie’s worry, Irene and Sally manage to get back in plenty of time with a sackful of holiday cookies and an apple pie for the dessert crowd. Connie thinks that a homemade pie would be more appropriate, but agrees there wouldn’t be enough time to make one. She’s delighted that her dad has agreed to let her carve the turkey, and Don is delighted to have one less distraction from the day’s football watching. Sally finishes setting the table with the help of her cousins. As they quietly put out the fine linen napkins they save for special occasions and her mother’s good china, Sally takes comfort in the familiar objects and relishes the calm moment before the chaos of a crowded table. Irene forgets all her anxiety about being unprepared as she happily gets caught up on all the family gossip with her brother, who arrived while they were at the store.

Looks like it’s going to be a pleasant Thanksgiving after all. We at Data Dome hope you enjoy the lighthearted looks at prototypical DISC behavioral profiles that we feature in the World According to DISC series, and we wish you and your family a very happy holiday season!

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Behavioral style, that is.

Here’s a little holiday fun – a look at Thanksgiving from each of the DISC categories.

D Style

For high D’s, Thanksgiving is a time to catch up. They never get enough done anyway, so good time to have a short dinner and go on to accomplish other things. Typically, they plan at the last minute – guests, shopping, etc. – and with goals in mind – personal and/or business. Often, when they realize there is not time enough to properly make dinner, they will go out/take everyone to a restaurant.

If they do attempt to make it themselves, better get out of the kitchen. No rules here! The high D goes with whatever looks fast and efficient. Something will probably fall through the cracks, so be prepared to scramble to compensate (run to the store). Once dinner is over, it is over. They will not want to clean up, as they already did all the work/mess. What’s next to do/conquer?

I Style

High I’s look at Thanksgiving as a great opportunity to party. Everything is exciting this time of year, from shopping, to preparing, to the party itself. And everyone must have a good time! They love to decorate for the party and to invite as many friends, family and neighbors as they can seat, especially anyone who may be alone (their worst fear)! If there are too many, they may ask to go pot-luck – everyone bring their favorite _____! And expect creative fun – putting certain people with others, icebreakers to get strangers to converse, anything and everything to keep everyone happy and talking. Often I’s realize that around the holiday is a good time to catch up on work, as all those distracting conversations that always prevent accomplishing things are now impossible, as everyone else is on vacation. Amazing how much more gets done with no one to talk to!!

S Style

High S’s like to be well prepared, with no surprises. They will start preparing well in advance, with lots of home-made items – not the quick off-the-shelf stuff! They will prepare foods they know everyone in the family will like – from family traditions to special dishes for those with special tastes/needs. Try something different? Only if somebody new is coming and they may like something else – better be prepared! The S will drive to grandma’s house using the same route every year. Like the high I, Thanksgiving Day is not a time to be alone, often friends will act as the substitute family. To the high S, making everyone feel comfortable and relaxed is a major focus. They may even have home-made treats for pets to take home, and they probably know everyone’s family members (and pets) by name.

C Style

High C’s are quite a bit different, not necessarily appreciating large gatherings. Quality is more important, both in people and food. They may eat out at a nice place with just a few close friends or family. If they do prepare dinner themselves, they will probably prepare from exact recipes. They will require exactly the right shopping ingredients. They may even send out invitations that require an RSVP. The event itself is typically more formal, from places to sit to décor (and rarely much in leftovers). Be careful if you ask a C how they prepared a particular dish. You will get not only more detail than you ever could imagine, you will also get everything else from prices to the best stores to buy from to seasonal influences, etc. Be careful if you criticize a C – you may get an explanation of why you are not exactly right. And if you offer to help clean up, you better be good at it (i.e. immaculate).

Did you recognize yourself? Or maybe a relative? Whatever your behavioral profile we here at Data Dome wish you and your family a safe and fun Thanksgiving holiday!

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