How to Make Your Message Stick in Meetings with DISC
Meetings can be challenging-especially when it feels like everyone’s speaking a different language. Whether you’re based in Davis or heading in from Woodland, Dixon, Sacramento, Elk Grove, or Fairfield, you probably know the feeling when ideas get lost or people talk past each other. The DISC model gives you a practical way to connect with every personality in the room, making your meetings smoother and more productive.
Understanding DISC Styles in Everyday Meetings
DISC stands for four main personality styles: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. Each one has a preferred way to communicate and process information. Here’s a quick refresher:
- D (Dominance): Direct, results-focused, and likes decisions fast.
- I (Influence): Outgoing, enthusiastic, and thrives in group discussions.
- S (Steadiness): Calm, supportive, and values harmony and routine.
- C (Conscientiousness): Detail-oriented, analytical, and wants clear facts.
The key is to adjust how you share your message so it lands with each style. You don’t need to be someone else-just tweak your approach.
Quick tip: Before your next meeting, think about who’s attending and which styles might be in the room. A little prep goes a long way.
Speaking So Everyone Feels Heard
If you’ve ever commuted from Sacramento or waited on a colleague from Elk Grove, you know everyone has their own pace and way of expressing themselves. Here’s how you can tune in to each DISC style during your meetings:
- For Dominance (D): Get to the point quickly. State the goal, provide options, and invite action. Avoid too much background or small talk.
- For Influence (I): Use positive language, share big-picture ideas, and give space for input. Recognize their contributions and keep the energy up.
- For Steadiness (S): Explain changes calmly and show how decisions will help the group. Allow time for questions and reassure them about support.
- For Conscientiousness (C): Provide clear data, structure, and details. Give them time to process and ask for feedback if they have questions.
Try watching body language and listening for cues-folks from Davis or Dixon might nod along, while those driving in from Fairfield might ask for numbers or next steps. By matching your style, you boost trust and understanding.
Action step: In your next meeting, practice tailoring your opening talking points for each style. Notice who tunes in and who checks out.
Making Meetings Work for Every Style
Whether you’re meeting over coffee in Davis or gathering your team after a drive in from Woodland, you can use DISC to make meetings more effective and less stressful. Here’s how:
- Set a clear agenda-share it ahead of time for those who like to prepare (S and C styles).
- Kick off with results or goals-grab the attention of D and I styles, who want to know what matters most.
- Invite participation-go around the table, making sure quieter S and C folks get a chance to weigh in.
- Recap decisions and next steps-so everyone leaves on the same page, no matter their style.
Meetings with people from different areas-whether it’s a group from Elk Grove or a client call with someone in Sacramento-work better when you flex your communication style.
Try this: End your next meeting with a quick round asking each person for their top takeaway. This helps reinforce clarity and gives every DISC style a voice.
Small Changes, Big Payoff
Getting the hang of DISC isn’t about overhauling your personality. It’s about making small, thoughtful adjustments in how you speak and listen. Over time, you’ll notice less confusion, fewer repeated conversations, and more people leaving meetings with clear action steps. This approach works whether you’re working with a close-knit Davis team or collaborating across offices in Woodland, Dixon, Fairfield, or Elk Grove.
- Prep ahead: Scan your invite list and jot down a quick note about each person’s likely DISC style.
- Adjust in real-time: If the group seems restless, switch gears to match the D style. If there’s confusion, try adding more detail for the C style.
- Follow up: After the meeting, send a recap that includes both high-level points and detailed steps.
Next step: Pick one DISC style to focus on in your next meeting. Practice one new technique and watch how it changes the flow of conversation.
Bringing It All Together
Meeting success is about more than just sticking to an agenda. It’s about making sure every person-no matter their DISC style-feels included, understood, and ready to move forward. If you’re traveling from Davis or nearby towns like Woodland or Dixon, you know how valuable your time is. Make every meeting count by speaking so everyone actually hears you. The result? Stronger teams, smoother projects, and better results you can see in your day-to-day work.