People-watching during the holidays
Hopefully by now you’ve finished your holiday shopping and are ready to relax and enjoy the rest of the season. While you were out there roaming the stores (assuming you didn’t do all your shopping online!) you may have noticed some classic DISC behavioral styles during your people-watching…
Did you spot the Highest D in the crowd?
The assertive High D will move powerfully through the crowd, practically knocking people over! They are efficient shoppers: in, out, done. If the whole scene is too frustrating and anger-producing (crowds, waiting in line, traffic and parking), they may simply delegate the shopping to someone else or order everything online. The actual gifts the High D buys might just be to address a bottom-line productivity improvement for the recipient or they might simply take the efficient route and give gift certificates.
How about the Highest I?
For the High I, shopping is an event. Like a kid in a candy shop, the High I gets excited about being out and about and the overall shopping experience. You may have seen them holding an animated conversation with someone near a glittering display. They probably met friends for coffee or snacks to make an occasion of the shopping expedition. If you’re a salesperson, watch for the High I – a high I might get frustrated if you don’t give enough attention. The High I will also often buy from emotion so that extra attention might lead them to buy more than they should. The High I may accidentally buy more than one gift for some people, and forget to get gifts for others. They may buy gifts they like, assuming that the recipients will like them too. There will be impulse buys, often trendy and flashy selections. The gifts may be chosen to provide experiences: a special dinner, tickets to a concert or play, a massage, candles and music, etc.
Did the Highest S get lost in the crowd?
You might not see them if the store is really busy. They certainly don’t like being caught in a last-minute rush. In fact, by now all of their shopping is probably done and maybe all of it online. Of course, the High S may have started picking out holiday presents in July! The High S can be found at the same trusted stores they habitually frequent. The gifts they choose will be solid, reliable favorites and not risky or trendy in any way. The High S may well prefer to stay home and make personalized gifts or bake holiday treats for family and friends.
And what about the Highest C?
If you saw them at a store, they were likely doing research and comparison shopping for purchases in person that they were then going to make online so they will be sure they are getting both the highest quality and the lowest price. If they are purchasing at a store (rather than online), it will likely be in specialty shops. If they go to a department store, you’ll see them reading labels and decoding the actual terms of the sales coupon. If they engage a salesperson, it will be to inquire about scheduling shipping, the details of the return policy, or other factual information. The High C might get bogged down in the details of weighing the relative merits of the mail-in rebate versus the instant rebate, the cost of the warranty versus the percentage, of likely future repairs.
Don’t forget, these are just the Highs. The Low DISC are out there too and most people aren’t just one note; they are a combination style. But hopefully this “broad-stroke” exercise can help us to appreciate, and adapt to, our differences as we all prepare for holiday occasions.
Best wishes for a happy holiday season from Lisa and the Data Dome team!
