Thriving with I Personality Types: How to Collaborate in Your Organisation

If you work with someone who embodies the Influence (I) personality type from the DISC model, you’ve likely noticed their vibrant energy and knack for bringing people together. Understanding how to work with I types can elevate your team’s collaboration and morale. At Discflow, we’re passionate about helping organisations harness DISC insights to create thriving workplaces. Let’s explore what makes I personalities shine and how you can work with them effectively as a leader, co-worker, or team member.

DISC Explained

The DISC model, rooted in the 1928 theories of psychologist Dr William Moulton Marston, categorises people into four behavioural styles. Marston’s work, detailed in Emotions of Normal People, was later refined into the modern DISC assessment by industrial psychologist Walter Clarke in the 1950s. Today, DISC is a leading tool for understanding personality dynamics in the workplace:

• Dominance (D): Direct and driven, D types focus on results and tackling challenges head-on.
• Influence (I): Warm and sociable, I types bring enthusiasm and positivity and excel at motivating others.
• Steadiness (S): Calm and reliable, S types foster harmony and support their teammates.
• Compliance (C): Analytical and precise, C types prioritise accuracy and independent problem-solving.

Through Discflow’s DISC assessments, individuals can discover if they’re a “high I” (purely Influence) or a blend, such as IS or ID, helping teams better understand their dynamics. Curious to learn more? Explore our blog: What is the DISC assessment?

Characteristics of the I Personality in the Workplace

I types are the life of the office—think of the colleague who’s always chatting, uplifting the team, and making everyone feel included. They’re friendly, outgoing, and enthusiastic, thriving on relationships and collaboration. Their natural charisma makes them the most popular team members, bringing a contagious optimism to any project.

In the workplace, I types excel at rallying people together. Their leadership style is inclusive, focusing on encouragement and team spirit, which makes them inspiring managers. They’re creative, spontaneous, and adaptable, thriving in dynamic environments where they can improvise and try new ideas. Routine bores them, so they’re at their best when tasks are varied and interactive.

I types are fantastic motivators, using their positivity to drive team goals. However, they might sometimes gloss over details in their excitement, preferring big ideas over nitty-gritty planning. They also tend to avoid conflict, opting to keep the peace rather than address tough issues, which can delay decisions. Despite this, their warmth and flexibility make them invaluable for fostering a positive workplace culture.

How to Work with an I Personality in Your Organisation

As a Leader Managing an I Type

I types bring energy and creativity to your team, and with the right support, they can truly shine:

• Encourage Their Social Nature: Give them roles that involve teamwork or client interaction, like leading brainstorming sessions or representing the team in meetings. They’ll thrive when they can connect with others.
• Celebrate Their Ideas: I types are full of creative solutions. Acknowledge their contributions publicly—say, “Great idea, Sarah, let’s run with it!”—to keep them motivated.
• Provide Gentle Structure: They might skip details, so pair their big-picture thinking with clear guidelines. For example, “I love your campaign concept—let’s outline the key steps to ensure we hit the deadline.”
• Support Them Through Conflict: Since I types shy away from tough conversations, guide them through conflict resolution. Offer to mediate or provide frameworks for giving feedback.

Discflow’s DISC profile reports help leaders tailor their approach to I types, ensuring they feel valued while contributing to team goals.

As a Co-Worker Collaborating with an I Type

Working alongside an I personality is a joy if you embrace their vibrant style:

• Join in Their Enthusiasm: I types love collaboration, so match their energy in group projects. If they suggest a new idea, engage with it: “That sounds brilliant—let’s explore how we can make it work!”
• Keep Things Fun: They thrive in a lively atmosphere, so bring a bit of humour or positivity to your interactions. A quick chat about their weekend can strengthen your working relationship.
• Help with Details: Since I types might overlook specifics, offer to handle the finer points. For instance, “I’ll double-check the data for your presentation—let’s make it shine.”
• Be Patient with Their Pace: They might jump between tasks, so gently nudge them to stay focused: “Let’s finish this report first, then we can tackle the next idea.”

Discflow’s team workshops, delivered by our expert trainers, teach co-workers how to complement I types’ strengths, creating a harmonious and productive environment.

As a Team Member Reporting to an I Type Leader

If your manager is an I personality, they’ll likely be inspiring and approachable. Here’s how to work well under their leadership:

• Engage Actively: I leaders love interaction, so participate in discussions and share your ideas. They’ll appreciate your enthusiasm.
• Show Team Spirit: They value inclusivity, so collaborate with your teammates and contribute to a positive vibe. For example, volunteer to help a struggling colleague—they’ll notice.
• Ask for Feedback Playfully: I leaders might not give structured feedback, so ask in a light-hearted way: “How did I do on that project? Any tips for next time?”
• Support Their Vision: They’re big-picture thinkers, so align with their goals and show you’re on board: “I’m excited about this new initiative—let’s make it a success!”

Join Discflow’s May Certification Class to gain deeper insights into working with I personalities and become a certified DISC trainer for your organisation.

For Other DISC Types Interacting with I Types

• D Types (Dominance): Your directness can overwhelm I types, so soften your approach with encouragement. Focus on shared goals to keep them engaged.
• S Types (Steadiness): You’ll appreciate their warmth, but their spontaneity might unsettle you. Offer stability while joining in their collaborative spirit.
• C Types (Compliance): Your logical approach might clash with their emotional style. Balance their creativity with your attention to detail for a winning partnership.

How Discflow Can Help

At Discflow, we’re dedicated to helping organisations flourish with DISC. Our tailored DISC profile reports reveal how I types (and others) contribute to your team, offering strategies to enhance collaboration. Our expert trainers—whether internal or external consultants invited by companies—deliver workshops that empower leaders and teams to work seamlessly with I personalities. Ready to take your team to the next level? Join our May Certification Class to become a DISC expert and unlock your organisation’s potential.

Conclusion

I’s personalities bring warmth, creativity, and enthusiasm to the workplace, making them natural connectors and motivators. By embracing their sociable nature, encouraging their ideas, and providing gentle structure, leaders, co-workers, and team members can build stronger, more collaborative teams. With the right approach, working with I types becomes a rewarding experience that boosts morale and productivity.

Ready to harness the power of DISC in your organisation? Discover Discflow’s training, consulting services, and profile reports, or register for our Certification Class to elevate your team today!