The Secret Life of the Dominant Red Writer
What Makes These Bold Writers Tick, How to Bring Out Their Best, and Why They Can’t Resist Taking Charge!
"Why are we drawing? I thought this was a writing group. When do we write?" One of my red-dominant writers asked this during a warm-up activity designed to inspire creativity through a different medium. There was no frustration or malice in his question—he was simply communicating in his preferred, direct style. Straight to the point, focused on the goal, and eager to get started. That’s a Dominant Writer for you.
Dominant (or “red”) writers are confident, results-driven, and thrive when they’re in control. They’re the writers who love to lead group projects, take ownership of their stories, and dive headfirst into challenges. You’ll spot them by the way they embrace bold ideas and bring fearless energy to their work. They’re not afraid to ask questions, make decisions, or take risks.
In the DISC framework, red is the associated color for this personality type, symbolizing energy, power, and action. When I talk to kids about this personality style, I often use the color red to explain it, but I also like to connect it to the lion—a strong, fearless leader of their pride, roaring their ideas into existence. The lion is a powerful way to help young writers visualize the bold, confident energy that Dominant writers bring to their work.
I once had a Dominant writer who wanted to start a group project with other kids. When we sat down to talk about what was holding her back, she said she was worried about coming across as “bossy.” She explained that every time she’d worked on projects in the past, friends or family had used that word to describe her. It was heartbreaking to hear how this belief was stopping her from stepping into a role that came so naturally to her. Together, we worked on reframing what it meant to lead. I reminded her that leadership doesn’t have to feel like “bossing” people around—it can be about guiding and inspiring others to bring a shared vision to life. Her project is still underway, but when I asked her how her leadership style has been working recently, she didn’t use " bossy " but instead “inspiring.”
How to Tell if Your Writer Has a Dominant Red Style
Wondering if your young writer leans toward a red-dominant style? Here are some common behaviors to watch for:
Straight to the Point: Red writers don’t bother with sugarcoating. They skip the small talk and get right to what’s on their mind. Like my writer who asked, “When do we write?” they’re not trying to be rude—they’re just laser-focused on the task at hand.
They Love to Win... at All Costs: Whether it’s a friendly game, a competition, or even a personal challenge, winning is everything to them. They’ll approach every task like it’s a race to the finish line.
Drawn to Leadership: Put them in a group, and they naturally take charge. Red writers thrive in leadership roles where they can set the vision, delegate tasks, and ensure everything goes their way.
Rushing to the Finish: Red writers are sprinters, not marathoners. They move quickly to finish a project and are already eyeing the next goal before the ink has dried. The downside? Sometimes, they skip over details or miss out on refining their work.
On to the Next Thing: Once they feel like they’ve hit the goal, they’re ready to move on. Red writers don’t linger—they’re constantly chasing the next challenge to conquer.
No Time for “Busy Work”: If a task feels pointless or unrelated to the goal, they’re likely to push back—or just check out altogether. Everything they do has to feel like it matters.
If this sounds like your child, chances are they have a strong red streak. Even if they don’t show all these traits, there might still be a spark of red energy waiting to shine. Recognizing these behaviors is a great first step in understanding what makes them tick—and how to help them thrive.
Want to know for sure? A DISC survey and feedback session can give us deeper insight into your child’s unique style. Let me know in the comments, and I’ll be happy to reach out!
What Motivates the Dominant Writer?
Dominant red-energy kids are natural leaders who thrive on having control over their projects, ideas, and writing. They’re the ones who light up when they’re given the chance to steer the ship and make things happen. Here’s what really drives them:
Clear Goals and Challenges: Red writers love knowing exactly what they’re working toward—and how they can win at it. Tell them, “Your goal is to finish a story with a dramatic twist in under 30 minutes,” and you’ll see their eyes light up. They thrive when there’s a clear finish line to cross.
Competition: Whether it’s outdoing their peers in a friendly challenge or beating their own personal best, red writers thrive on achievement. The higher the stakes, the harder they’ll push to succeed.
Autonomy: Micromanaging? No thanks. These kids want the freedom to take charge of their work and make their own decisions. They’ll rise to the occasion if you give them the space to own the process.
Badges and Recognition: Let’s be honest—red writers love the gold stars. Whether it’s earning certificates, awards, or even just verbal praise, they’re motivated by the markers of success that validate their hard work.
Leadership Opportunities: Put them in a group project, and they’ll naturally gravitate toward the leader’s role. They love being the creative director, delegating tasks, and keeping control of the big picture. It’s their chance to shine while inspiring others to bring a vision to life.
I was editing with a Dominant writer when I noticed a sentence that wasn’t clear. I tried to subtly guide him: “I’m not sure if this word works here. What if we used something else—would it make the sentence stronger?” His response was classic: “Well, clearly, you know the word is wrong.” I had to laugh. “Yep, the word is wrong,” I admitted. “The sentence lacks clarity and emphasis. You can change vocabulary or rewrite it into an active voice.” And he did! Dominant writers thrive on direct, actionable feedback as long as it respects their autonomy.
Every writer has a mix of styles—and even if red energy isn’t dominant, they can still tap into it when they need it most! Let me know in the comments if you’re curious about how DISC can help unlock your child’s creative strengths.
Did you catch my previous article about how DISC can help families? Read it here.
How to Encourage and Support Them
Dominant Writers can bring bold ideas and a fearless attitude to their work, but they need the right kind of support to channel that energy productively. Here’s how to help:
Set Clear Expectations: Dominant kids respond well to structure as long as it doesn’t feel limiting. Be upfront about what’s expected (e.g., “Your goal is to write a scene with a surprising twist by the end of today’s session”) and give them room to rise to the challenge.
Match Their Pace: Be direct and to the point. Long-winded explanations can lose their attention. Instead, match their energy and get straight to what needs improvement.
Solve Problems Together: If they’re stuck, focus on solutions. Ask questions like, “How do you think we can make this stronger?” or “What’s your next step here?” rather than overloading them with abstract ideas.
Celebrate Their Wins: Recognition goes a long way. Whether it’s finishing a challenging draft or coming up with a clever plot twist, make sure to acknowledge their accomplishments in a way that feels meaningful to them.
Give Them Choices: Present options rather than directives. For example, “You could make the scene more dramatic by adding dialogue, or you could build suspense by focusing on description. Which feels right to you?”
Offer Guidance Without Doing the Work for Them: Dominant Writers thrive when challenged, so it’s important to provide examples of how to do something without showing them how you would do it. For instance, some writers—like a Conscientious type—might appreciate seeing a rewritten sentence as inspiration to rework their own ideas. But Dominant Writers? If you rewrite their work, they might see it as a “job done” and skip the challenge of applying themselves. They’re big-picture thinkers, so handing them the “finish line” takes away their opportunity to think outside themselves and grow.
By turning guidance into an exciting challenge, you’re giving them the chance to push their boundaries and grow as writers. Dominant writers love a challenge—so hand them the tools and let them show you what they can do.
One dominant writer I worked with kept showing up at the workshop, waiting for me to tell her what to work on. Every session, I’d ask, “What do you want to focus on today?” and she’d shrug. Eventually, she confided that the workshop wasn’t interesting for her anymore because she didn’t know what to work on. This was such a lightbulb moment for both of us: she wasn’t unmotivated—she just hadn’t learned how to set goals for herself. We worked together to break down the process of goal-setting, and before long, she was walking in with clear objectives, ready to tackle her work.
Challenges to Watch For
While Dominant kids have incredible strengths, their driven nature can sometimes lead to hurdles:
Impatience: They may want to rush to the finish line, skipping over essential details or edits. Gently guide them to slow down and see the value in refining their work.
Difficulty with Criticism: Dominant kids can take constructive feedback as a challenge to their authority. They’ll resist if they feel forced into something. Instead, frame feedback as an opportunity: “What would make this stand out even more?”
Need Confident Role Models: Dominant Writers respect strength. If you hesitate or seem unsure in your feedback, they’re likely to tune out. Approach the conversation with confidence or find someone who can.
Struggles with Collaboration: Group writing projects may feel frustrating if they can’t take the lead or the current leader lacks confidence or vision. Encourage them to see collaboration as a way to strengthen their ideas, not as a threat to their independence.
Not All Challenges Are Created Equal: While Dominant kids often thrive on challenges, it’s a mistake to assume that all competitions or high-stakes tasks will motivate them. Each child is incredibly complex, shaped by their experiences, interests, and societal or gender norms. What works for one Dominant writer might not resonate with another, so take time to understand their unique motivators.
Learning to Set Goals: It’s easy to think Dominant kids are natural goal-setters, but goal-setting is a skill—an art form, really—that takes time to hone. Red writers might need guidance in breaking down a larger goal into actionable steps. But once they learn how to set and pursue their own meaningful goals, the doors that open for them are extraordinary. Supporting them as they develop this skill can have a lasting impact on their confidence and independence.
Dominant writers bring bold ideas, fearless energy, and an unstoppable drive to their work. With the right support, they can harness their natural strengths to create incredible stories and grow as confident, motivated individuals.
Curious about whether your child has red-dominant traits? A DISC survey and feedback session can give you a deeper understanding of their communication and creative style. Let’s unlock their full potential—reach out to me!
And don’t miss the next blog in this series, where I’ll be diving into the world of blue energy writers—our Conscientious planners who thrive on precision and structure. Stay tuned!