Is your team constantly stressed? Has communication slowed to a trickle? Are employees leaving more frequently than usual? These could be signs of a work environment that’s out of balance.
The good news is change is possible. With the PeopleKeys DISC personality assessment, you can begin to uncover what’s really causing stress and disconnection—and take steps to create a more supportive, productive workplace.
Let’s take a look at six ways you can start to drive change and point your team in the right direction. Whether you lead a small team or manage an entire organization, these strategies will help you to build a culture where people feel heard, valued, and ready to thrive—just in time for a fresh start this fall.
Perhaps you have heard of DISC or taken a DISC assessment as part of your own professional development. But have you contemplated the insights DISC could provide into the behaviors, motivations, and interactions of your team members?
To harness the power of DISC, you first need to familiarize yourself with the DISC model (beyond what you may already know about your own personality style). DISC categorizes individuals into four main personality types: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Compliance (C). Each of these personality types has unique characteristics, strengths, and communication preferences, so being able to identify where someone falls can greatly help colleagues understand each other.
While certification in DISC is not mandatory, managers, HR professionals, and coaches often choose to complete the PeopleKeys DISC Certification course to deepen their understanding of administering and interpreting DISC. This training allows them to effectively apply the DISC model and maximize its benefits in their respective roles.
Now that you know more about DISC, it is time to share that information with your team!
Conduct a DISC assessment of your current work environment. If your colleagues do not know their DISC style yet, start with one of the PeopleKeys individual assessments. Be sure to present the assessment honestly and positively, sharing your goals to better understand each other’s strengths, improve interactions, and work together more effectively.
Once everyone has been assessed, it is time to analyze the predominant personality types present in the team or organization. Identify any imbalances or conflicts arising from these different profiles, which may contribute to an unhealthy work environment.
With virtual and hybrid work environments more popular than ever, it can be hard to get to know your colleagues. Many offices struggle to break team members out of work silos, whether created by the employee or inherent to the type of work being done. DISC offers a perfect opportunity to knock down those walls and learn more about each other.
Promote open communication and understanding among your team members. Organize team-building activities, workshops, or training sessions focused on DISC. Help individuals understand their own profiles and the profiles of their colleagues to encourage empathy and effective communication.
As your team members begin to recognize and appreciate the diversity of skill and personality styles within the group, it is important to emphasize flexibility and adaptability within the work environment.
Encourage team members to understand and appreciate the different perspectives and communication styles of their colleagues. This will help in reducing misunderstandings and conflicts, creating a more harmonious workplace.
Each DISC profile has different needs and motivations, and each person finds success through their own unique path. It is important that managers especially learn to recognize this and make an effort to differentiate their approach for each individual.
Be sure to tailor your own management approach to accommodate the unique requirements of each team member. Remember, as a senior member of the team, you are setting an example for everyone else. For example, individuals with a D-style profile may thrive in a challenging and goal-oriented environment, while S-style profiles may prefer stability and support. A skilled manager realizes how to help each staff member shine.
In a healthy work environment, it is important to actively address conflicts or tensions that arise within the workplace. Colleagues that have studied the DISC model together can utilize their insights for constructive discussions and problem-solving. When facing a disagreement, encourage your team members to express their concerns to each other, but also to remember the communication strategies they know are most effective with their peer(s).
DISC isn’t a magic fix—but it is a powerful tool that, when used alongside other intentional strategies, can make a real difference in creating a healthier, more connected workplace.
Whether you’re leading a small business or managing a team within a Fortune 500 company, building a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration is key to long-term success—and DISC can help you get there. Contact PeopleKeys today and let us help you create the kind of team that looks forward to working together every day.