People with the D (Captain) personality type tend to be assertive, intense, and ambitious. They are usually pragmatic, results-oriented executors who work quickly and make decisions with firmness and objectivity. With a position on the top left of the DISC, Captains prefer more independence and may be drained when others expect them to be more collaborative. They also may prefer to be in control over a situation, rather than in position to react to others.
D Personality Traits
Captains tend to be very individualistic and determined. People with this personality type are likely to be self-reliant, resourceful, and self-sufficient in pursuing their daily activities.
They prefer dealing with people in a direct, straightforward manner and are likely to appreciate others engaging them with similar candor. Because Captains tend to be quite comfortable with conflict, they may initiate competitive interactions and would benefit from realizing that their desire to win may be stronger than their sensitivity to the needs of others.
In summary, D personality types tend to...
- Be resourceful, strong-willed, and self-reliant in pursuing goals.
- Enjoy engaging others in competitive situations.
- Place high expectations on performance from yourself and others.
- Enjoy lively debate.
- Resists influence from others.
Strengths and Blindspots
Every personality archetype has strengths and blind spots, and these are often amplified in professional settings where we often encounter a diverse group of people with vastly different backgrounds and value systems.
Strengths
- Communicating directly, using facts and informal language.
- Focusing on results and realistic expectations.
- Being quick, independent and firm when making decisions.
- Using goal-oriented approach to assigning work, omitting unnecessary details.
- Operating with a sense of urgency.
- Motivating others by creating competitive challenges.
- Directing others in an impersonal manner with clarity and precision.
- Being comfortable with responsibility and ownership over results.
Blind Spots
- Failing to involve others in problem-solving due to desire for an immediate solution.
- Omitting too many details for the sake of brevity.
- Displaying impatience when providing detailed instruction.
- Having the urge to criticize others who do not share a sense of urgency.
- Maintaining control by delegating responsibility but not authority.
- Directing others so forcefully that they don't ask questions or discuss potential problems.
- Reacting aggressively when others try to limit authority or autonomy.
- Working with such a sense of urgency that it may cause others unnecessary stress.
Growth Opportunites
- Practice letting go of the little things and avoid rushing others when it’s not absolutely necessary.
- Talk to other people to gain insight on details you might be overlooking.
- Try phasing-in big changes or giving people a notice before they’re implemented.
- Make an effort to spend one-on-one time with people who need it.
How D personality types like to work
Communicating with a DISC type D
Conversation should be direct and straightforward, using a confident and assertive tone.
Meeting with a DISC type D
Meetings should be very brief, to the points, and only scheduled when necessary.
Emailing a DISC type D
Emails should be brief, business-like, and get right to the point.
Giving feedback to a DISC type D
Feedback should be direct, actionable, and focused on the most important points.
Resolving conflict with a DISC type D
Conflict is essential to improvement, as long as it is actionable and objective.
Motivators and Stressors
When people experience pain, stress, or dissatisfaction, it can usually be attributed to energy-draining activities. Therefore, it’s important to know what kinds of activities energize each personality type and which activities drain them.
D personality types tend to be motivated and energized by...
- Completing ambitious projects on a tight deadline.
- Taking primary responsibility and ownership over large projects.
- Making decisions quickly with limited data.
- Making decisions on behalf of other people.
- Uses goal-oriented approach to assigning work, omitting unnecessary details.
- Setting up and participating in competitions.
- Seeing tangible, measurable results, milestones, and accomplishments.
- Providing goal-focused direction to others without needing to provide detailed instructions.
- Communicating with quick conversations and messages, only when necessary.
D personality types tend to be drained by...
- Paying close attention to the needs and concerns of other people.
- Asking for feedback regularly.
- Playing a supporting role on the team and staying out of the spotlight.
- Responding to difficult situations with empathy and compassion.
- Promoting teamwork and cooperation between parties.
- Following up and checking in with other people when they are dealing with a challenge.
- Taking time to understand how people are feeling about a recent change.
- Listening to questions from other people and responding thoughtfully.
- Building long-term trust and loyalty with consistent, predictable behavior.
Work Environment
Captains tend to thrive in a fast-paced environment that allows them to act quickly and achieve set goals. They enjoy working with other motivated people who allow them to take charge or work independently.
D personality types feel energized at work when...
- They are asked to make a quick decision on behalf of the team.
- Their boss gives them a great deal of responsibility.
- Their peers participate in healthy competition.
- Their direct reports work efficiently.
D personality types feel drained at work when...
- They have very little control over their assignments.
- Their boss disregards their input.
- Their peers take a long time to work through tasks.
- Their direct reports need a lot of guidance.
Best Jobs For DISC D types
Captains tend to gravitate toward positions of authority. They can be huge sources of motivation and they set an aggressive pace meant to achieve results as efficiently as possible.
They can also be relentlessly competitive, with themselves and with others. Asking a Captain to do anything they perceive as tedious or mundane will likely result in them either ignoring the request or delegating it to someone else.
Common jobs for people with D personality types
- President
- CEO
- Executive
- Founder
- Entrepreneur
- Lawyer
- Operations manager
- Policeman or policewoman
- Director
Professional Relationships
When Captains work alongside people who are relaxed and thoughtful, they can help move the team move forward by driving productivity. If they work with another Captain, it’s important that they find a way to accept a balance of power.
D personality types tend to work well with others who...
- Think through situations logically
- Communicate in a direct, blunt way
- Enjoy following direction
D personality types may hit obstacles in professional relationships when they...
- Become upset after failing to accomplish a team goal
- Feel their authority is challenged
- Address more sensitive people in a frank, straightforward way
Romantic Relationships
Captains can be honest, dedicated partners. When in a relationship with another assertive personality, it’s important that they work together to establish a more balanced dynamic.
In a romantic relationship, D personality types bring strengths like...
- Ability to make difficult decisions
- Encouraging their partner to maintain healthy independence
- Naturally open, direct communicators
In romantic relationships, D personality types may have trouble...
- Being emotionally vulnerable with their partner
- Offering frequent verbal encouragement
- Recognizing when to let go of a small issues
Related Personality Types
Below are the Enneagram and Myers-Briggs types that are similar to DISC Type D.
Enneagram Type 1, 3, or 8
Myers-Briggs INTJ, ENTJ, or ESTJ
You can find your DISC, Enneagram, and Myers-Briggs types by taking Crystal's free personality test.
Visual Summary
Click through the slides below to learn more about Captains:
