D and D: compatibility
Two people used to deciding and leading. Together they move things fast, but they fight for control and rarely give way.
A D and D pair means speed and clarity: both speak directly, neither takes offense at directness in return, both decide quickly and can’t stand drawn-out discussions. The trouble starts when there can be only one decision. Each is sure of their own view, both are used to winning, and an argument about the work easily turns into a fight over who’s in charge. For the pair to work, areas of responsibility need to be divided in advance.
How they work together
What they have in common
- Focus on results and deadlines
- Straight talk without hints or hurt feelings
- Willingness to take responsibility and risks
Where friction arises
- A struggle for control and the last word
- Impatience: both interrupt and rush
- Nobody checks the details or listens to the cautious
Tips for the Dominance style (D)
- Agree on who is responsible for what, and stay out of each other’s territory
- Argue about the criteria for the result, not about who is right
- Bring an S or a C into the discussion — they see what you both miss
D manager, D report
A D manager and a D report quickly agree on the essentials: the goal, the deadline, the result. Problems start when the report wants to make their own calls and the manager is used to making them for everyone. What works best is a clear boundary: the manager owns the “what” and the “by when,” the report owns the “how.” If that boundary is blurry, every assignment turns into an argument about authority.
In meetings and in writing
In a meeting, two Ds get down to business quickly and just as quickly start arguing. Both speak with confidence, interrupt and try to close the question with their own solution. In writing, they send short messages with no greetings that look like a quarrel to outsiders, even though it’s a normal tone for both of them. A facilitator helps: someone who records the decision and doesn’t let anyone reopen it.
The typical conflict and how to resolve it
The typical conflict is a fight for the last word: both are sure their option is right and neither is willing to back down in public. The way out is to agree on a criterion in advance (“we pick whatever brings in revenue faster”) and let each of them save face. An argument won in front of the team costs the pair more than one lost in private.
Outside work: friendship, relationships, family
Outside work, two Ds make an energetic pair that is never bored: shared goals, sports, competition, quick decisions. Their fights are loud and short. It’s important for them to divide responsibilities and not turn every household question into a duel.
Three rules for this pair
- Divide authority in advance: who decides what
- Argue in private, not in front of the team
- Agree on how you’ll choose before the argument, not during it
More about the “Achiever” profile
Other style pairs
DI Dominance + InfluenceDS Dominance + SteadinessDC Dominance + ConscientiousnessII I + IIS Influence + SteadinessIC Influence + ConscientiousnessSS S + SSC Steadiness + ConscientiousnessCC C + C