How DISC Can Help You Make Decisions Faster
If you’ve ever sat through a long meeting on Hempstead Turnpike or waited for someone to finally decide on a project in your office, you know how slow decision-making can wear down a team. What if you could cut through the back-and-forth and get to decisions faster? The DISC model gives you a toolkit to do just that-by understanding how everyone on your team approaches choices, you can keep things moving and avoid getting stuck.
DISC and Speedier Decisions: What You Need to Know
DISC is a simple model that helps you recognize four main personality styles-Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. Each style has a different way of processing information, sharing opinions, and making decisions. When you know what makes your colleagues tick, you can shape your approach to help the group decide quickly and confidently.
- D-style: Wants to move fast, focus on results, and skip the small talk.
- I-style: Looks for excitement, values input from others, and is energized by group discussions.
- S-style: Prefers stability, wants consensus, and needs time to process big changes.
- C-style: Focuses on details, asks for data, and wants to be sure before committing.
When you recognize these styles in your teammates (or yourself), you can see why some decisions drag-and how to speed things up. For example, a Dominant style may get frustrated by too much debate, while a Conscientious style may stall if there’s not enough information.
Tip: Start your next meeting by asking each person what they need to feel comfortable making a decision. This simple move can save everyone time and help you see what’s really slowing things down.
Simple Ways to Use DISC for Quicker Choices
Applying DISC doesn’t require fancy charts or hours of training. You can start seeing results in your next team huddle or project check-in. Here’s how:
- Match the process to the people. If you’ve got a mix of quick movers and careful thinkers, set clear time limits for discussion-but also send out background info ahead of time for those who need it.
- Invite input in different ways. Some people like to talk things out, while others prefer to write down their thoughts. Offer both options so everyone can contribute without slowing the group down.
- Keep it visual. Use a whiteboard or shared document to track decisions and next steps. This keeps the team focused and makes it easier for detail-oriented folks to follow along.
- Summarize and check in. After each big decision, pause to review what’s been agreed on. Ask if anyone needs more clarity, then move on.
Try this: At your next team meeting, assign a “decision tracker.” Their job is to write down the options, keep the group moving, and remind everyone of the goal-making a choice, not just talking in circles.
Everyday Benefits You’ll Notice Right Away
When you use DISC to understand how your team makes decisions, you’ll notice the changes in small but powerful ways:
- Meetings that end on time, with clear next steps
- More buy-in from all types of team members
- Less second-guessing after decisions are made
- Better morale, especially for people who felt left out before
- Projects that move from “stuck” to “done”
When you’re in a fast-paced office environment-whether you’re working near Bellmore, Bethpage, Massapequa Park, Wantagh, or Seaford-it’s all about keeping things clear, direct, and respectful. DISC helps you get there with tools that work in the real world, not just on paper.
Action step: Before your next meeting, look at your agenda and consider who needs what to decide quickly. Adjust your approach for at least one team member’s style and see how much smoother things go.
Put DISC to Work Right Away
DISC isn’t just theory-it’s a hands-on way to cut down on wasted time and keep your projects moving forward. If you’re used to Long Island traffic, you know every shortcut counts. The same goes for your team’s decision-making process. By learning the DISC styles, you can help everyone get on the same page faster, whether you’re leading a project, running a department, or just trying to get home before the Southern State backs up.
Start small: notice how your colleagues make decisions, use the tips above, and talk openly about what helps each person decide. Over time, you’ll find your team moves through choices with more confidence-and a lot less stress.