How DISC Helps You Decide: Email or Phone?
In busy professional circles, especially around Southern California, you know how important it is to communicate the right way at the right time. Whether you’re working with teams in Pico Rivera or driving over to meetings in Montebello, Whittier, Downey, Norwalk, or Bell Gardens, choosing between email and a phone call can make all the difference. The DISC model gives you a practical way to match your message style to your audience, making work smoother and relationships stronger.
Understanding the DISC Model in Communication
The DISC model breaks down personality types into four main styles: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). Each style prefers a different approach to communication. If you know your team’s DISC profiles, you can tailor your messages for better results. Here’s a quick rundown:
- D (Dominance): Direct, quick, and focused on results.
- I (Influence): Social, enthusiastic, and people-oriented.
- S (Steadiness): Patient, reliable, and consistent.
- C (Conscientiousness): Detail-oriented, logical, and precise.
Understanding these preferences can help you decide whether to send an email or pick up the phone for your next conversation.
Tip: If you’re unsure of someone’s style, watch how they communicate with you, or ask about their preferences during your next team meeting.
When Email Is Your Best Friend
Some workdays are packed, and you’re zipping between Pico Rivera and client meetings in Downey or making calls before heading to Whittier. Sometimes, an email is the best way to get your message out-especially for certain DISC styles:
- C-Style Colleagues: If you’re working with someone who values accuracy and likes to check details (think spreadsheets and color-coded plans), email gives them a written record to review at their own pace.
- S-Style Team Members: Folks who prefer stability and time to process information often appreciate emails, especially for routine updates or when you don’t need an immediate answer.
- Busy Schedules: When everyone’s calendar is packed, an email respects their time and lets them respond when they can focus.
Next step: If you’re sharing complex instructions or need a paper trail (like project guidelines before heading to a meeting in Norwalk), send an email and follow up as needed.
When It’s Time to Pick Up the Phone
There are moments when a phone call does what an email just can’t-especially for certain DISC styles and situations:
- D-Style Leaders: If your boss or client likes fast decisions and quick answers, calling can help you get to the point and keep things moving.
- I-Style Connectors: People who thrive on energy and personal connection (think of the colleague who lights up the room at the Pico Rivera Chamber of Commerce mixer) respond well to phone calls. It helps build rapport and lets you read tone and mood.
- Urgency or Sensitive Topics: If you need to clear up confusion before the end of the day or talk about something sensitive, a call is more personal and prevents misunderstandings.
Takeaway: When you want to build trust or resolve an issue fast-say, before driving over to Bell Gardens for a partnership meeting-call directly. Even a quick five-minute conversation can save hours of email back-and-forth.
Mixing It Up for Better Results
In your work life, you’re often dealing with a mix of personalities, not just one. Sometimes, you’ll need to start with an email and then follow up with a call, or vice versa. Here’s how to blend both approaches:
- Email First, Call After: Send an email outlining key points, then call to discuss details. This works well if you’re prepping for a group project that spans Pico Rivera and nearby cities like Montebello or Downey.
- Call First, Email Recap: If you hold a phone meeting, follow up with an email summary-especially for S and C styles who like to review notes.
Suggested action: Try this combo the next time you’re coordinating with teams in different locations. It keeps everyone on the same page and avoids dropped details.
Bringing DISC to Your Team’s Everyday Communication
Whether you’re sending updates from your Pico Rivera office or collaborating with folks from Whittier, Bell Gardens, or Norwalk, DISC gives you a clear advantage. You’ll get to know your colleagues’ preferences, avoid unnecessary confusion, and build stronger working relationships.
- Take the DISC assessment as a team to spot patterns in your communication.
- Start meetings by asking how each person prefers to receive updates or feedback.
- Use what you learn about DISC to keep projects moving-without endless back-and-forth.
Tip for today: Before sending your next message, pause and consider your recipient’s DISC style. Choose email or phone based on what works best for them, not just what’s easiest for you. Small changes like these make a big difference, whether you’re at your desk in Pico Rivera or heading out to meet clients in surrounding neighborhoods.