I learned this lesson in 2015, after experiencing one of the most challenging years of my professional BMX racing career.
Hitting Rock Bottom
In 2014, I had my worst season as a professional. It was the only year of my career that I didn’t win an international event. Nothing seemed to click. My results weren’t there, and I was struggling to find momentum. In elite sports, when you’re off your game for too long, it can feel like the whole world is passing you by. I knew something had to change, but I wasn’t sure what the missing piece was.
That’s when the coaching staff at Team USA Cycling brought in professionals to administer a DISC personality test for the entire team.
The Power of the DISC Assessment
The DISC assessment is a tool that categorizes people into four main personality-types:
- D – Dominance: Direct, driven, results-oriented.
- I – Influence: Outgoing, enthusiastic, people-focused.
- S – Steadiness: Patient, dependable, supportive.
- C – Conscientiousness: Analytical, detail-oriented, systematic.
We all took the test, received our profiles, and then sat down individually with coaches and specialists to better understand how we function—and, equally important, how others function. The coaches even shared their own results so that we could see how we might communicate with each other more effectively.
This wasn’t just some abstract exercise. It was about optimizing human performance. By learning our personality-types, the coaches could adapt their approach to each rider, knowing what motivated us, what stressed us, and how we performed best.
Discovering My Personality Type
My results came back as a high D, meaning I was extremely driven, competitive, and laser focused on results. My closest comparison on the DISC chart? Kobe Bryant.
That clicked for me instantly. I realized that what drove me was autonomy and trust. I didn’t need someone constantly checking in or micromanaging my preparation. I thrived when given space and responsibility.
Once the coaches saw this, they stopped hovering. They basically said, “Connor, you know what you need to do. We trust you. Call us if you need anything.”
That freedom was exactly what I needed. Instead of wasting energy trying to prove myself or worrying about being second guessed, I could channel everything into my training and racing.
The Turnaround
The results were immediate. In 2015, I bounced back with one of the strongest seasons of my career. That momentum carried me forward, and the following year, I achieved my lifelong dream—winning Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Games.
Looking back, I can point to that week of personality testing as a pivotal turning point in my career. It gave me self awareness, but it also gave my coaches the tools to get the best out of me.
Why Personality-Types Matter Beyond Sports
You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to benefit from understanding personality-types. Whether you’re part of a team at work, leading a group, or even navigating relationships, tools like the DISC assessment can help you:
- Communicate better. Knowing if someone is detail-oriented (C) versus big-picture driven (D) changes how you deliver feedback.
- Motivate effectively. A high I might need enthusiasm and recognition, while a high S thrives on stability and trust.
- Reduce conflict. Many disagreements happen because people are wired differently, not because one person is wrong.
- Unlock potential. Just like in my case, when people are allowed to work in ways that fit their personality, performance skyrockets.
Leveraging Personality-Types for Peak Performance
At the end of the day, success is about leveraging every advantage you can. Physical talent and hard work are critical, but so is self-awareness. By understanding your personality-type—and the types of those around you—you can:
- Create environments where people thrive.
- Build stronger teams.
- Improve resilience during challenges.
- Maximize performance in high-pressure moments.
For me, learning that I was a high D wasn’t about labeling myself—it was about leveraging that knowledge. It gave me permission to double down on what worked for me, and it gave my coaches insight into how to support me.
Final Thought
We often think greatness is achieved by pushing harder, training longer, or grinding more. But sometimes, the breakthrough comes from understanding yourself on a deeper level.
For me, discovering my personality-type changed the trajectory of my career. For you, whether in sports, business, or everyday life, it might just unlock the path to your next level of success.
– Connor Fields
