Are you an Eagle, a Parrot, a Dove, or an Owl?
I have taken my fair share of personality tests searching for the magic formula to crack my own leadership code. Some were insightful. Some were forgettable. But one stuck with me the DISC birds is the one that stuck with me*. Unlike Myers-Briggs (where I still have no idea what an INTJ is), this one is fast, intuitive, and useful in the heat of decision-making.
The personality tests are fun- until you forget what your results mean. We all did the Myers-Briggs at work, but to this day, I couldn’t tell you the difference between an INTJ, an INTP, or a WXYZ without checking the definitions. It reminds me of Chase Jarvis’s quote:
“The best camera is the one that’s with you.” for us here it translates to: “The best personality model? The one YOU remember.”
Are they Effective?
Personality models are caricatures, not absolutes. We tend to lead, delegate, and communicate in our own style—often without realizing it. The key isn’t to impose your style on others, but to understand what they’re listening for, what they seek. That’s how you unlock the strength of a team.
Definitions Birds DISC:
EAGLE – The big-picture thinker. Confident, commanding, and relentless. Once they lock onto a target, they’ll grip it until the end—whether they soar or crash. Want their attention? Be brief, be brilliant, be gone.
PARROT – The energy source. Charismatic, colorful, and always on. They juggle ten ideas at once, jumping from one to the next with unfiltered enthusiasm. They don’t just tell stories; they are the story. Motto: “I’m not here to be average—I’m here to be awesome.”
DOVE – The glue of the group. Empathetic, patient, and relationship-driven, they prioritize harmony over speed. They hear how something is said as much as what is said. Their goal? Can’t we all just get along?
OWL – The detail master. Methodical, precise, and data obsessed. They don’t do “gut feelings”—they do facts, analysis, and logic. If something doesn’t add up, they’ll spot it first. Their mantra: “If I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it right.”
Birds in Decision Making:
Situation - Jane, an Eagle, just lost a major client. She’s furious. She needs action now.
I’m an Owl—I default to analysis, not reaction. Under stress, she’s more aggressive; I get more reserved. She wants a snap decision; I want a plan. If we don’t recognize this dynamic, we’re on a collision course.
So, what’s the move? - Align on the immediate tasks first—that buys time. Then, when the dust settles, communicate together: we will map out the mid- and long-term play. In crisis, knowing your bird type isn’t just a fun exercise, it’s the difference between chaos and clarity.
Birds in communication:
Situation - I am to give a town hall talk about the results of the last quarter.
As an Owl, I like details. I’d love to walk through charts, data, and a structured analysis before making my point. But that would be a disaster for half the audience.
Verbal, fast-paced thinkers (Eagles & Parrots) They will check out within seconds. They need the TL;DR first.
Methodical thinkers (Owls & Doves) They need time to process—but they’ll stick the whole presentation with me to get the data that justify our decisions.
Task-Oriented Types (Eagles & Owls) They want action items. Give them their red meat - Tell them what needs doing.
People-Oriented Types (Parrots & Doves) they want emotion. Recognize who needs recognition, empathize with whoever needs empathy. Be clear on how colleagues can be supported, through whatever changes you need to see happen. Tell them why it matters.
A great speaker doesn’t just deliver a message, they make sure every bird in the room hears it.
Wrapping up
Understanding DISC Birds isn’t just a fun exercise, it’s a cheat code for better leadership, decision-making, and teamwork. We don’t all think alike. We don’t all react alike. But when you know what drives each type, you don’t just communicate—you connect.
So—what kind of bird are you?* And more importantly, who are you talking to today?
TAG: #LeadingSelf, #LeadingOthers, #LeadingThroughOthers
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*I have no association with take flight learning. I have done their test multiple times.