Clarity in the DISC Personality System

In the DISC assessment system, Clarity describes behavior that is conscientious, precise and details-oriented. People who type as Clarity have high standards for themselves and work diligently to achieve goals. 

Clarity is an important part of the team dynamic in any workplace or organization. Those with Clarity tend to bring structure and purpose to their projects, ensuring that tasks are completed on time and to the highest quality. They work less well when there are too many distractions or competing priorities, as they may become overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks and people involved in the decision-making process.

Clarity Style Overview

The “C” of the DISC acronym can also stand for Conscientious, and that's exactly what Clarity types are. At their best, Clarity types are reliable and methodical, taking pride in their work and setting high standards for themselves and the team. They strive to be the best and they want their work to reflect that.

In the workplace, Clarity people are likely to appear:

• Analytical
• Systematic
• Organized
• Disciplined
• Pragmatic
• Private
• Accurate
• Exacting
• Dependable
• Stable

They are less likely to appear:

• Spontaneous
• Risk taking
• Sociable
• Flippant
• Careless
• Inspiring
• Talkative
• Unfocused
• Confident
• Lazy

Work Style and Talents of a Clarity Type

Clarity people focus on precision and accuracy. They often have a knack for noticing small details that others may miss, which is why they tend to be excellent problem-solvers. They are especially adept at troubleshooting and finding solutions to complex issues.  

Whether it’s individually or in an organization, high-Clarity personalities tend to be cautious when it comes to taking bold actions and quick decisions. They prefer structure, routine and predictability so that they can stay in control of their work and environment. This cautiousness can sometimes lead them to miss out on opportunities or ideas that may bring success.

Clarity types also tend to be reserved and private people. They often prefer working independently, although they are capable of collaborating when necessary. They usually do not show their emotions openly and may come across as serious or unapproachable at times.

Strengths of a Clarity Type

Clarity people tend to be good at:

• Establishing clear goals, standards and processes
• Using time and resources efficiently
• Seeing tasks and projects through to the end
• Ensuring high standards
• Analyzing complex problems and finding solutions
• Getting into the details of a task
• Working systematically and methodically
• Weighing pros and cons
• Offering a different perspective
• Delivering results

Blind Spots of a Clarity Type

Clarity people may find it difficult to:

• Take risks and make compromises or shortcuts
• Deviate from plans unnecessarily
• Inspire others
• Be spontaneous and flexible
• Step out of their comfort zone
• Balance their attention to detail with the big picture
• Verbalize feelings
• Connect with people on a deeper level
• Acknowledge mistakes
• Build professional networks
• Grow and develop in new areas

Ideal Work Environment

Clarity people are typical in their desire for a well-structured work environment with clearly defined rules and expectations. They prefer working on projects that require accuracy, organization and attention to detail. They enjoy having deep expertise in an area and will look for opportunities to deepen this knowledge.

Clarity people tend to work best when they have:

• Enough time to get things done properly
• A predictable and structured workflow
• The ability to focus on one task at a time
• Clear goals and expectations
• Opportunities for personal growth

They may feel drained when they have:

• Too many tasks that need to be done at once
• Unclear goals and expectations
• A chaotic or unpredictable work environment
• No control over their projects/tasks
• An emphasis on socializing and networking

Careers for Clarity Types

Clarity types are great in jobs that require expertise, objectivity and accuracy, such as accounting or engineering. They often excel in roles involving planning, research and organizing information.

Compatible careers include data analyst, financial analyst, systems engineer, software developer, editor and quality assurance.

The Clarity Type on a Team

Clarity types on a team tend to naturally analyze the situation and are quick to offer both solutions and a different perspective. However, they may struggle with being too focused on the details. Clarity types benefit from having teammates who stop them from getting bogged down in a single approach. 

Since Clarity types fear criticism and being wrong, they also benefit from being part of a team where trial and error is encouraged, and mistakes are accepted. Being part of a supportive team can help Clarity types break out of their comfort zone and take risks that may bring success.

On a team, Clarity people tend to work well with others who ...

• Respect their need for structure, rules and boundaries
• Understand when to take a step back
• Are willing to listen to different perspectives
• Provide support and direction when needed
• Help them stay focused on the bigger picture

Clarity types may have more difficulty working with those who ...

• Overlook the details
• Push them to take risks they are not comfortable with
• Do not respect their need for structure and rules
• Make decisions without considering all angles or facts
• Take a more relaxed approach to completing tasks

On a team, Clarity people tend to excel at:

• Analyzing data and gathering facts
• Being thorough and following through on tasks and projects
• Clearly defining expectations
• Setting high standards
• Delivering results efficiently
• Being diplomatic with people
• Questioning rash actions

On a team, Clarity people need to watch out for:

• Trying to do everything themselves
• Getting stuck in their own methodologies
• Becoming too focused on the details
• Letting perfectionism take over
• Appearing rigid and inflexible to others

The Clarity Type as a Leader

Clarity types make good results-driven leaders as they are able to stay organized and focused on their goals. They are clear communicators and have a good understanding of the details that need to be taken care of to achieve success. Clarity people may struggle with delegating tasks, however, as they prefer to take on everything themselves. It's important for them to learn to trust their team and use their talents wisely.

As leaders, Clarity types excel at:

• Setting clear goals in a timely manner
• Having an organized approach to problem-solving
• Focusing on accuracy, precision and results
• Being resolute in their actions
• Giving constructive feedback in a calm and rational manner

They may need to watch out for:

• Being critical of small errors
• Rigidly adhering to their own rules and standards ("my way or the highway")
• Not delegating enough tasks
• Failing to be flexible in their approach 
• Taking too long to analyze possible options
• Resisting what they perceive as unnecessary change
• Forgetting the human side of work

Communicating as and with a Clarity Type

Clarity types tend to be direct and concise in their communication style. They prefer to get straight to the point without wasting time on small talk. As such, they may come across as blunt or insensitive to others, so they should strive to be diplomatic when necessary. Clarity types excel at asking the "why" questions to gather accurate information, which can be invaluable in decision-making.

Some helpful tips for communicating as a Clarity type:

• Use positive rather than negative phrasing when communicating with others
• Take the time to listen and ask questions
• Be open-minded and adjust your approach depending on the situation
• Avoid being overly analytical or critical of others' ideas
• Respect the boundaries of others

Some helpful tips for communicating with a Clarity type:

• Be clear and concise
• Focus on the key points, not the entire story
• Minimize the hyperbole and emotional language
• Be prepared to back up your ideas with facts and figures
• Give them time to process their thoughts before responding
• Do not take their bluntness personally – they are just trying to get information as efficiently as possible

Clarity Types in Conflict

Clarity types are likely to stay composed and diplomatic when dealing with workplace conflicts. Drama is not part of their vocabulary – these types prefer to focus on solutions rather than dwelling on the issue. They typically are willing to compromise if it means finding the best solution for everyone involved. That's not to say that Clarity types will back away from conflict; they will happily disagree if they believe that something is incorrect. They would not argue for the sake of it, however, and are likely to withdraw if things get too heated and emotions are running high.

When in conflict, Clarity types tend to:

• Focus on solutions, not the problem itself
• Remain composed and diplomatic
• Analyze each side objectively
• Compromise for the best outcome
• Ask logical questions to get more information
• Become criticizing and nitpicky if the conflict is not going their way

Some helpful tips for managing conflict with a Clarity type:

• Try not to get too emotional or heated during the discussion
• Stay focused on the facts
• Encourage them to speak up and share their thoughts openly
• Respect their need for details and accuracy
• Don't take their criticism personally – they are just challenging ideas objectively
• Focus on finding a solution that works for everyone involved

Clarity Types Under Stress

Clarity types may become more critical and demanding when under stress. They may become fixated on the details, which can cause them to lose sight of the bigger picture. Although they have a tendency to be organized and efficient in their work, too much stress can make Clarity moody, worrying and resistant to change, even if it is necessary for results and personal growth.

Some helpful tips for managing stress as a Clarity type:

• Take regular breaks and make time for yourself
• Lean on others and delegate tasks when necessary
• Communicate honestly with your team members
• Remember that perfection is not always possible or desirable
• Find a healthy outlet for your stress, such as exercise or creative hobbies
• Get as excited about your own health and wellness as you are about work projects

The Clarity Subtypes

While all Clarity types tend to share the same general characteristics, not everyone will have a pure Clarity workstyle. Many people are a combination of Clarity and one other DISC style, giving us two Clarity subtypes. These are:

C/s (Clarity + Support) - This subtype is a combination of high Clarity and high Support. C/s types are serious, practical and rational. They take a private, methodical approach to life and work and think carefully before speaking. They are self-controlled and sensitive to emotionally charged situations and other peoples' insincerity. CS types can be as rigid and perfectionist as pure Clarity types although they tend to be more open to guidance and support from others.

Good career options for this type include medical technician, database administrator, scientist, air traffic controller.

C/d (Clarity + Drive) - This subtype is a combination of high Clarity and high Drive. C/d types act with a clear purpose to achieve goals. They are highly results oriented, solving problems with a disciplined and resolute approach, and become impatient when their progress is blocked. They excel at making rational sense of complex problems and are not afraid to challenge the status quo to get results.

Good career options for this type include project manager, architect, chief technology officer, chief financial officer, business strategist and compliance officer.

Famous People with the Clarity Personality Type

Famous people who are likely to have the Clarity personality type include:

• Bill Gates - Co-founder of Microsoft
• Warren Buffet - Investor, business magnate and philanthropist
• Albert Einstein - Physicist and Nobel Prize winner
• Tim Burton - Filmmaker and artist

How Rare is the Clarity Personality Type?

According to a 2019 Extended DISC Global Validation Study, 31% of people globally type as Clarity. This is similar to Influence (28%) and Support (32%). Drive types, by contrast, make up just 9% of the global population.  

Tips for Success as a Clarity Type

Clarity types are at their best when their analytical skills, precision and detail-oriented nature are put to use in a drama-free environment that focuses on results. They can be risk-averse perfectionists at times, however, and should take care to include the human element in their decisions.

To be more effective, try these 10 tips for success:

1. Be patient with yourself and others
2. Delegate tasks instead of trying to do it all yourself
3. Be less critical of others' ideas and methods
4. Find ways to act fast under pressure
5. Respect people's personal worth as much as their work achievements
6. Ask for support when you need it
7. Practice brainstorming and sharing your ideas, even when they seem unachievable
8. Get comfortable with risk
9. Focus on the bigger goal, not just the task at hand
10. Put play before work every once in a while for the sake of your health and wellness

To learn more about the Clarity type and discover whether it fits you, take the free DISC personality test.