DISC personal profiling in movies

Earlier this week we saw ‘One Life’ at the cinema. It tells the story of Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton, a British humanitarian. Nicky helped 669 refugee children (many of them Jews) flee Czechoslovakia just before the second world war, saving them from persecution from the Nazis.

Jumping between 1939 and 1987, the character of Nicky in his later years was played beautifully by Anthony Hopkins. He was portrayed as a quiet, unassuming man with a passion to make a difference. The film showed him to have meticulous attention to detail, persistence, organised, and a thoughtful nature, keeping a scrapbook of the experience.

Nicky’s skills as a task-driven but people-focused individual enabled him to find foster parents for the children and raise money for the evacuation. But being quiet and unassuming, he took the achievement in his stride. It wasn’t until his later years, when his wife suggested he donate his scrapbook to a museum, that other people realised the extent of what he had achieved.

This saw him reunited with many of the children (now adults) that he saved, many with their own children and grandchildren. His tenacity meant that 6000 people were still alive because of what he and his team had achieved.

But just think – he never would have been reunited without other people’s recognition. He could have died without knowing the impact of his actions and the difference he had made.

You could say, in DISC personal profiling terms, that he was likely a C with S (Compliance and Steadiness).

Now you might be wondering what’s this got to do with anything…

In 2004, I was trained in DISC personal profiling and it’s a tool that I’ve used for 20 years. And it’s something I’ve been reviewing recently in relation to writing a book – where we might get stuck and how to overcome these areas when we understand our profiles better.

But before I do this, let’s take this one step further and apply the DISC personal profile tool to characters in other films, books and series.

Dominance (D)

Strengths: Driven, assertive, determined.
Limitations: May come across as aggressive or impatient.

Examples: Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean), Tony Stark (Iron Man), Reacher (based on books by Lee Child).

Influence (I)

Strengths: Charismatic, enthusiastic, social.
Limitations: May struggle with attention to detail.

Examples: Deadpool, Barbie, Willy Wonka (Wonka), Aquaman.

Steadiness (S)

Strengths: Dependable, patient, loyal.
Limitations: May resist change or have difficulty making quick decisions.

Examples: Forrest Gump, Luke Skywalker (Star Wars), Marty McFly (Back to the Future).

Compliance (C)

Strengths: Detail-oriented, organised, analytical.
Limitations: May struggle with flexibility and spontaneity.

Examples: Sherlock Holmes, Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory), J Robert Oppenheimer, Hermione Granger (Harry Potter).

Which DISC personal profile resonates with you?

So, as you reflect on the characters and traits mentioned here, ask yourself: Which profile resonates with you the most?

Just like Nicky Winton’s quiet determination and meticulous attention to detail saved lives, understanding our own profiles can empower us to excel in our own journeys, whether it’s writing a book, leading a team, or simply living our lives authentically.

And how can you leverage your unique strengths while embracing your limitations to make a positive impact in your world?

If you’re interested in learning more, then do stay tuned as there’s more information to follow!