You’re in a meeting, and things feel…off. One person charges ahead with bold ideas, while another adamantly digs into the details—not all of which are relevant.
Sarah’s quietly listening, and Michael sees determined to steer the conversation back to his issues with a client. It’s like each team member speaks a different language.
That’s why organizations resort to the DISC model—a personality assessment framework—to assess their team members’ personalities.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to use DISC to understand and connect with each communication style on your team. 💬
DISC Communication Styles to Improve Team Dynamics
Summarize this article for me please⏰ 60-Second Summary
📣 DISC communication is an assessment framework used to classify workplace personality traits into four categories: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness
📣 For managers, recognizing and aligning with each member’s DISC style can foster effective communication, minimizes misunderstandings, and improves overall team dynamics
📣 ClickUp helps you implement communication strategies effectively and efficiently with features like Chat, Clips, Tasks, and more, that can be customized to cater to individual communication styles
📣 Different types of communication methods are suitable for different personality types. This is super helpful because you can navigate feedback and day-to-day communication better, especially when leading a team
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Does DISC Mean?
DISC is a personality assessment model that categorizes personalities into four major traits based on emotion and behavior: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness.
Psychologist William Moulton Marston introduced the DISC theory in his 1928 book, Emotions of Normal People.
Marston observed that a person’s behavior varies along two axes: active vs. passive and favorable vs. antagonistic environments.
This creates four behavioral types:
- Dominance (active in antagonistic settings)
- Inducement (active in favorable settings)
- Submission (passive in favorable settings)
- Compliance (passive in antagonistic settings)
While Marston’s ideas didn’t initially include an assessment tool, industrial psychologist Walter Clarke developed the first DISC assessment for workplace use in the 1950s.
This early tool eventually evolved into the widely used versions of DISC we know today, primarily used in business, educational, and workplace settings.
🔍 Did You Know? William Marston was also responsible for developing a prototype of the Polygraph with his wife, Elizabeth. This prototype, which detected deception based on the changes in a person’s blood pressure, laid the foundation for the modern polygraph.
DISC vs. other personality assessment models
The DISC model primarily assesses behavioral traits, focusing on how individuals interact with other people. It helps determine an individual’s working preferences, communication styles, and suitability for career choices.
While other personality assessment models focus on broader psychological traits, DISC helps identify behavioral tendencies in the framework of communication and conflict resolution. This makes it an ideal tool for handling team dynamics and identifying the best ways to collaborate and connect effectively within a team.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) vs. DISC
The MBTI focuses on personality types and how individuals perceive the world and make decisions, classifying them into 16 types based on four dichotomies (e.g., Introversion vs. Extraversion).
Unlike DISC, MBTI focuses on cognitive styles and decision-making processes.
StrengthsFinder vs. DISC
StrengthsFinder emphasizes identifying individual strengths and talents, such as strategic thinking or relationship building, rather than behavioral patterns.
While DISC categorizes individuals based on their actions in various environments, StrengthsFinder assesses innate talents to help people perform better in their roles.
🧠 Fun Fact: Marston also created the popular character Wonder Woman. A 2017 film, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women, tells the story of his life, his work in psychology, and the inspiration behind his creation.
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe Four DISC Styles Explained
Each person on your team has a distinct way of communicating, and recognizing these differences can make a big impact. The four DISC styles offer a simple way to understand how people interact based on their behaviors.
Here’s a closer look at each style and what it means for your team. 🗣️
1. Dominance style
Individuals with this personality style are bold, decisive, and focused on getting things done. Their drive to achieve results is intense (in the best way possible 😄).
People with a dominant style often thrive in high-stakes roles, such as team management or senior leadership, where they can take charge and lead confidently.
Moreover, they’re direct and efficient, always ready to dive into work without much guidance. They are also great at making quick, confident decisions on the spot.
However, people with a dominant style might come across as unyielding or difficult to work with. Their strong focus on directness can sometimes overshadow the need for diplomacy, and they may struggle to consider others’ feelings, which can lead to conflicts.
A great example of a dominant personality is Steve Jobs. He was all about perfecting the details—meticulous in design and obsessed with quality. His high standards helped him create some of the most iconic tech products.
2. Influence style
Influence-oriented personalities are outgoing, enthusiastic, and persuasive, which makes them more suited to social and creative roles.
People with this personality type excel in positions that require building connections with others, such as sales, marketing, or customer service, where their ability to engage and motivate others is a major asset.
They tend to focus on the big picture rather than getting caught up in the details. These individuals are the motivators of the team, bringing an infectious sense of optimism and energy wherever they go. However, they can struggle with organization, so you need to provide them with structured support to keep them on track.
Oprah Winfrey is a great example of an Influence style personality. Known for her outgoing, enthusiastic, and persuasive nature, she built a career around connecting with people, inspiring them, and motivating them to take action.
🔍 Did You Know? The DISC assessment is an online questionnaire that takes 10-15 minutes to complete. There are no right or wrong answers, and you can’t fail. The results highlight your key behavioral traits and preferences.
3. Steadiness style
Teammates with a steady personality type are extremely dependable, patient, and supportive. They prefer harmony and will work towards creating a stable work environment for everyone.
These individuals avoid conflict because it disrupts their smooth, predictable routine. They excel at repetitive tasks and thrive in roles that require consistency, such as coordinating training sessions or handling benefits inquiries.
Additionally, they seek balance and harmony among everyone involved, making them highly empathetic and great listeners. They understand others’ feelings and needs, which helps them build strong, lasting relationships.
A great example of a Steadiness personality is Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers). Known for his calm, patient, and empathetic nature, he created a safe, steady environment on his TV show, building trust and making others feel heard and understood.
4. Conscientiousness style
Conscientious individuals are analytical, detail-oriented, and thorough. They’re perfect for roles that demand precision, like engineering, accounting, or data analysis.
You’ll often find these individuals taking notes during a meeting or asking multiple questions during a presentation to ensure they understand things correctly. They prefer structure, accuracy, and clear expectations.
However, this also means they can struggle with sudden changes or unclear instructions. Their communication is precise and well-structured, but it may sometimes come across as overly critical or overly cautious to others.
A great example of a Conscientious personality is Bill Gates. At Microsoft, he was all about the details, critical problem-solving, and using a scientific lens to approach building products at Microsoft.
Summarize this article for me pleaseCommunication Strategies for Each DISC Style
Getting to know a team member’s personality helps you communicate with them more effectively, making teamwork smoother and boosting results. Plus, when everyone understands each other better, there’s less conflict and more connection.
Here are some tips to facilitate team communication with different personalities. 🎙️
1. Mastering communication with Dominant personality types
When communicating with a D-type personality, it’s essential to be straightforward, result-driven, and focused.
These are some effective communication strategies:
- Get to the point quickly: Skip the small talk and dive straight into the key message. D-types value efficiency and prefer not to waste time on pleasantries
- Focus on results: Keep discussions centered on outcomes rather than processes. Talk about how your ideas or actions will achieve the desired results
- Be assertive: Show confidence in your ideas. Present them with authority and clarity since Dominant types respect strength and decisiveness
- Set and clarify goals: Establish clear communication goals and expectations from the outset to avoid misunderstandings and ensure alignment
- Present facts logically: Structure your arguments and evidence in a logical flow. This helps a D-type understand and respond quickly
2. Connecting with Influence style individuals
To effectively communicate with influence-style individuals, focus on building rapport, showing enthusiasm, and supporting their ideas.
Here’s how you can go about it:
- Engage in personal conversations: Ask about their hobbies and interests, and be open to sharing about yourself. They value personal connections
- Use stories and examples: Try engaging them with stories, anecdotes, and real-life examples. I-type personalities respond well to narratives
- Match their energy: Bring the same enthusiasm and positivity that they do to your conversations. This encourages them to engage more
- Show genuine interest: Actively listen to their ideas and goals. Express excitement and validate their thoughts
- Avoid overloading with facts and figures: Focus on the big picture and avoid bogging down the conversation with too many details
3. Fostering collaboration with Steady personalities
For S-style individuals, focus on making them feel comfortable and valued.
Here are some strategies to keep in mind:
- Be patient and allow time: Give them space to think and respond without pressuring them for an immediate answer. They value having time to process
- Use a calm, empathetic tone: Approach conversations with a relaxed and understanding attitude to help them feel at ease and appreciated
- Foster team involvement: Encourage collaboration and place emphasis on a more team-oriented approach to your projects
- Build trust gradually: Approach these individuals with sincerity and consistency to gain their trust over time rather than expecting immediate rapport
- Present ideas in a structured, non-threatening way: Outline your points logically and in writing when possible, making it easier for them to follow along
4. Engaging Conscientiousness style individuals
To communicate effectively with C-type individuals, prioritize clarity, logic, and accuracy.
Here’s how to facilitate efficient business communication with them:
- Come prepared: Ensure you’ve thoroughly researched and have a solid foundation of facts and figures to back your points
- Organize information clearly: Present information in a logical, structured format to make it easy for them to follow and analyze
- Acknowledge their logical perspective: Show respect for their preference for objective, data-driven approaches and avoid overly emotive language
- Clarify expectations and deadlines: Provide clear guidance on what’s needed and any timelines, so they can plan and execute effectively
- Base disagreements on data: If you have a different viewpoint, support it with reliable data or credible testimonials rather than personal opinions
Summarize this article for me pleaseHow to Improve Team Dynamics with ClickUp and DISC
With these strategies ready to go, you’re probably excited to see them in action!
But remember, it’s not just about your approach—your project management tools should also adapt to support the DISC style.
That’s exactly what ClickUp does for you. It is the everything app for work, making communication easy for all team members, regardless of their personality traits and communication preferences.
ClickUp Chat: Staying connected, wherever you are
ClickUp Chat brings all conversations, tasks, and projects into one spot, letting team members focus on deep work without missing crucial updates. This centralized chat makes it easy to check in, resolve misunderstandings, and ensure everyone’s in sync.
Here’s how your team can benefit from ClickUp Chat:
- D-styles get quick, direct communication, allowing them to focus on essentials
- I-styles benefit from a lively space for ideas and updates, boosting engagement
- S-styles find reassurance in the consistency, with all key conversations captured in one place
- C-styles enjoy the clarity, knowing they can access all details when needed
ClickUp Clips: Show, don’t tell
ClickUp Clips lets you record and share screen captures, webcam videos, and tutorials directly with your team.
It’s perfect for guiding teammates through processes or clarifying tasks, especially helpful when explaining complex details to C-styles or keeping Influence types engaged with dynamic, visual communication.
ClickUp Views: Tailoring your workspace to fit your style
ClickUp’s flexible interface allows each team member to customize their workspace according to their DISC profile. With options for different ClickUp Views, each personality type can create a setup that enhances their productivity and comfort.
Here’s how these features align with each DISC profile:
- D-styles often prefer high-level overviews, making ClickUp List View or ClickUp Team View ideal for scanning tasks quickly and staying focused on priorities
- I-styles thrive in collaborative and visually engaging spaces, so ClickUp Board View is perfect for brainstorming sessions and keeping their workspace dynamic and colorful
- S-styles benefit from ClickUp Notifications, which help them stay prepared and up-to-date without the need for constant searching
- C-styles enjoy a more detailed, data-driven perspective, so ClickUp Table View is ideal for tracking and organizing information systematically
ClickUp Tasks: Delegating work with DISC in mind
ClickUp makes it easy to delegate tasks that align with each team member’s DISC profile, ensuring everyone works in a role that plays to their strengths.
When using ClickUp Tasks, managers can assign roles based on what each DISC style excels at. D-styles thrive on results and quick decisions and work best when given high-priority, action-driven tasks.
These tasks allow them to take charge and keep things moving forward quickly. Giving them responsibility for major tasks ensures progress stays on track without delays.
For I-styles, who excel in creative collaboration, assigning them to tasks that require brainstorming or teamwork brings out their best. They shine in environments where they can engage with others, share ideas, and keep their energy up. Assigning them to roles involving these interactions helps keep the team motivated and aligned.
ClickUp Assign Comments adds an extra layer of clarity, especially when tasks need additional direction or feedback.
Managers can tag specific team members with clear instructions, ensuring everyone knows exactly what they’re responsible for. This is particularly helpful for C-styles, who appreciate detailed, structured guidance.
ClickUp Whiteboards: Bringing ideas to life visually
ClickUp Whiteboards add a visual layer to project management, making it easy for team members to brainstorm, plan, and organize projects in a way that suits different DISC styles. Whiteboards support flexible, creative thinking and provide structure for complex ideas, enhancing collaboration.
Here’s how:
- D-styles can see the project overview and progress, allowing them to make strategic decisions quickly.
- I-styles benefit from the creative freedom of Whiteboards, where they can sketch ideas, map out projects, and collaborate visually
- S-styles appreciate the structure Whiteboards bring, letting them see how their contributions fit within the larger project
- C-styles can add detailed notes and organize steps systematically, helping everyone stay on track
Summarize this article for me pleaseMake Team Communication Click with DISC and ClickUp
DISC is a powerful tool that helps you and your team understand each other’s dominant personality traits to improve communication.
However, recognizing these traits is just the beginning—true success and improvement in leadership skills come from applying DISC insights to daily interactions.
You need a trustworthy tool that can assist you in implementing those strategies smoothly. That’s where ClickUp, with its superior management and communication prowess, comes in. It helps you connect with your colleagues while allowing you to customize the software to match your team’s specific needs.
Sign up to ClickUp today!
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
