How to Spot a High I in 5 Minutes

DISC Style Known for Being, Expressive, Eternal Optimists

Editor’s Note: This post is part of a series in how to easily identify and effectively communicate with one of the DISC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Compliance) behavioral styles. From understanding how they speak to the tone of their emails, this series will help you communicate effectively with DISC in mind. Additional details on this subject can be found in “The Universal Language DISC Reference Manual” by Bill J. Bonnstetter and Judy Suiter or at TTIDISC.com.

A High I can be easy to notice because they are eternal optimists, expressive and because they tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves. They are influencers by nature and want to be liked by others.

High Is are inherently trusting of others and are people oriented. You’ll know when you’re in the room with a High I by noticing the following:

• Office decorations: Contemporary with memorabilia of their past experiences
• Gestures: Big gestures accompanied by dramatic facial expressions
• How they stand: Feet spread
• How they walk: Weave in and out with a focus of people and may ignore obstacles in their way

In chatting with a High I, you’ll notice the following:

• How they speak on the phone: Long conversations and use a great deal of tone variation
• How they speak to others: Verbal at length and always personable.

Communicating with a High I can be less structured, since they value getting to know others and being more informal.

Always leave time for small chat before and after a meeting, and be sure to follow up with details in writing. If you’re trying to sell to a High I, that person will greatly value testimonials from individuals they deem as important.