The Lone Peacock: Why Personality Types Matter for Your Digital Front Door

Years ago, I was part of a leadership development program at AT&T. Our class of 15 took the DISC personality assessment—a standard tool to help teams understand how they communicate.

Everything was going fine until the results were read aloud.

One of my classmates was placed, entirely alone, into the “I” (Influence) group. Because of the way the facilitator framed it, they were titled our lone “Peacock.”

Now, peacocks are impressive, but in a room full of data-driven analysts and direct leaders, being labeled the "Peacock" felt less like a compliment and more like a caricature. They weren’t happy. The "I" style is about extroversion, fun, and big ideas, but because it was communicated poorly, the tool that was supposed to help us connect actually created a wall.

Does your church staff feel like a collection of labels, or a unified body?

The DISC of Discipleship

If you haven't used DISC, here is the "Short Version":

• D (Dominance): Direct, results-oriented. They want to know what we are doing.

• I (Influence): Outgoing, enthusiastic. They want to know who is doing it with them.

• S (Steadiness): Patient, sincere. They want to know how this affects the community's safety.

• C (Conscientiousness): Analytical, precise. They want to see the data (My fellow "CDs" are nodding right now).

In a church, we know we are all God's children. But how we communicate—both in the hallway after service and on our Facebook page—depends entirely on these temperaments.

What is your primary DISC style?

• 0%D - Eagle
• 0%I - Peacock (or Parrot!)
• 0%S - Dove
• 0%C - Owl

The Digital Connection

Here is where the "Real Insight" hits: Your digital presence has a personality type, too.

If your entire staff scores as "C" and "D," your Facebook page might look like a list of rules, data points, and direct commands. It’s efficient, but is it welcoming?

If your team is all "I," your digital world might be a blast, but does it provide the "S" (Steadiness) that a hurting person needs when they are looking for a place to belong?

When we seek to understand the personalities of our staff, we aren't just doing a "business exercise." We are practicing the grace of God. We are learning to speak to our neighbors in the digital world with the same patience and seeking heart that Jesus used.

Moving From Labels to Leadership

My classmate hated being the "Peacock" because they felt boxed in. At your church, you have "Eagles," "Owls," “Doves”, and yes, maybe a few "Peacocks." The goal isn't to change them; it's to steward their unique voices to reach a diverse community.

Want to walk through a DISC assessment with your team and see how it’s affecting your "Invisible Front Door"? Let’s chat.

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