D + S paradox · one of the four paradox types
DpS personality type (The Velvet Hammer)
The Velvet Hammer stays patient with people until a decision is due, then makes it.
The Velvet Hammer feels a pull between pushing for action and keeping things stable.
DpS is one of the four paradox types in the WiredType model. Dominance and Steadiness pull in different directions. This page describes the Velvet Hammer. If the Velvet Hammer is your type, you will likely recognize yourself in it. If you live or work with a Velvet Hammer, it shows what the Velvet Hammer is wired to do and how to work well together.
This page describes the DpS type in general. Take the free test to see your own result. It is free, and you won’t be asked for a credit card or any payment details. You can also see the Full Profile and its price for the complete DpS report.
Traits of the Velvet Hammer
This section covers what drives the Velvet Hammer and what the Velvet Hammer works to avoid, then the Velvet Hammer's main strength, main weakness, motto and signature animal, from WiredType's profile of the DpS type.
What drives the Velvet Hammer
- The Velvet Hammer wants a fix they make at work to hold for a year, so when a shared spreadsheet keeps breaking, they fix the cause and no coworker has to report it again.
- They want the household rule they set in spring to still run in December, so bedtime holds even on the nights they are out.
- They want to be the first friend people call the night something goes wrong, because they stayed calm the last time.
- The Velvet Hammer wants a big change in their own life, a move or a new budget, made on their schedule while the rest of their week runs as usual.
- They want people to follow their call because they kept every promise they made those people before they asked.
What the Velvet Hammer works to avoid
- The Velvet Hammer can dread the day hard facts force them to say no to a loyal coworker who stood by them for years.
- The Velvet Hammer can lose sleep over breaking a promise to a coworker who planned a week off around the Velvet Hammer's word.
- They can worry their friends read months of their patience as weakness and their one firm no as coldness.
- The Velvet Hammer can fear losing control of their money plan when a bill comes due early or a lease decision sits unanswered for weeks.
- They can fear snapping after weeks of silence and saying one sentence they cannot take back.
Superpower (main strength)
The Velvet Hammer keeps small promises for months, so the day they say a plan is over, the people around them believe them and help them start the next one.
Kryptonite (main weakness)
The Velvet Hammer can say nothing through weeks of small misses, so the people around them learn where their limit is only on the day they snap.
Motto
“We stay on this plan for now. When the timing is right, I will be the one who changes it.”
Signature animal
The gorilla is gentle and patient with its troop and forceful when the family is threatened.
How the Velvet Hammer works with each style
Each section describes what tends to happen between the Velvet Hammer and a colleague of one style, and gives a line the Velvet Hammer can say. If you are that colleague, read your own style's section.
DDpS and D (Dominance)
The Velvet Hammer and a pure D type colleague move at the same speed until a decision touches people. For weeks they match each other's pace and decide in one meeting. Then one Tuesday a call changes the shifts of six people who trust the Velvet Hammer. The Velvet Hammer asks to talk to them first. The colleague says, 'Why are we having this conversation? Just decide.' The colleague may see the Velvet Hammer slowing down where the colleague would decide on the spot. The Velvet Hammer may see a colleague who would let those six learn the news from a slide at the company meeting. The Velvet Hammer talks to the six anyway.
What the Velvet Hammer can say to a D-type colleague: “I want this done as fast as you do. Give me until tomorrow night to talk to the people it lands on. Then I will bring you a plan we can start on right away.”
IDpS and I (Influence)
The Velvet Hammer tends to enjoy an I-type colleague and track that colleague's follow-through. The I-type reads the Velvet Hammer's warmth as a promise of support. On Monday the I-type pitches a partner webinar. The Velvet Hammer smiles and asks, "Who would we invite first?" The I-type walks out sure of an ally. The Velvet Hammer also noticed that last month's recap never went out. At Thursday's check-in the Velvet Hammer asks, "When is the recap coming?" The I-type's face drops. "I thought we were friends," the I-type says. The two are friends, and the Velvet Hammer still wants the recap.
What the Velvet Hammer can say to an I-type colleague: “I love this idea, and I want it to happen. Let's pick the 3 things that have to get done and put a name and a date next to each one before we hang up.”
SDpS and S (Steadiness)
An S-type colleague trusts the Velvet Hammer's steady side quickly and is caught off guard when the decisive side shows up. For weeks the one-on-ones between the two run long, and the Velvet Hammer lets the S-type finish every thought. Then a deadline slips, and on Tuesday the Velvet Hammer says, "This ships Friday, and I need your draft by Wednesday." The S-type's replies go short until Friday, because the S-type expected the long one-on-one pace every week. The Velvet Hammer leads this colleague well, and the Tuesday change in tone can still confuse the S-type.
What the Velvet Hammer can say to an S-type colleague: “I know this is coming faster than is comfortable, and I want to give you time to take it in. Here is what is changing and why, and here is what stays the same. Can we talk again tomorrow at 10, after you have slept on it?”
CDpS and C (Conscientiousness)
A C-type colleague shares the Velvet Hammer's focus on the task and cares less about how the team will take it. The C-type brings a spreadsheet to the vendor review, and the Velvet Hammer brings a read on who will be upset. The work goes well when the C-type checks the decision and the Velvet Hammer holds the date. The C-type respects the Velvet Hammer's drive and is puzzled by the Velvet Hammer's patience. The C-type may ask, "Why talk about feelings when the numbers are clear?"
What the Velvet Hammer can say to a C-type colleague: “I trust your numbers. Send me your recommendation with the top 3 risks by Thursday at noon. I plan to decide on Friday, so if anything should change my mind, show me on Thursday.”
Explore how DISC styles work together
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