How to Make DISC Habits Part of Your Everyday Work Life
After you finish a DISC workshop, you probably feel energized and ready to put what you learned into action. But once the excitement settles and you get back to your daily routine, it’s easy for those new skills to take a back seat. The real value of DISC training comes when you use it every day-not just in meetings, but in quick hallway chats, during team lunches, and even while handling tough conversations. Here’s how you can keep DISC alive in your workplace, whether your office overlooks the rolling hills near Petaluma or you’re on the move between Sonoma, Rohnert Park, Novato, Santa Rosa, or Healdsburg.
Use DISC Language in Everyday Conversations
One of the simplest ways to make DISC part of your work culture is to speak the language. Refer to communication styles and preferences openly. For example, you might say, “I know you prefer all the details upfront-here’s the full breakdown,” or “If it helps to talk it through, I’m happy to meet.”
- Use DISC terms when giving feedback or delegating tasks
- Encourage your team to identify their style before a project
- Discuss communication preferences during 1:1 check-ins
Takeaway: The more you use DISC language, the easier it becomes to remember and apply the concepts.
Practice Self-Awareness at Key Moments
Self-awareness is at the heart of DISC. Before a tough conversation or an important meeting, quickly check in with yourself. Are you leaning into your natural style, or could you adjust for the person you’re meeting?
- Pause before responding to strong opinions-consider if your approach matches the other person’s style
- Notice your reactions in group settings-are you speaking up too much, or holding back?
- Jot down quick notes after interactions to reflect on what worked and what didn’t
Tip: Set a reminder on your phone for a daily DISC check-in. A few seconds of reflection can redirect your approach and build better habits over time.
Make DISC Part of Team Rituals
Integrate DISC into routines your team already has. Weekly meetings, project kickoffs, and even coffee breaks can be great times to reinforce these tools.
- Start meetings by reviewing how different DISC styles might contribute
- Assign rotating “DISC spotters” to highlight how people are communicating
- Celebrate team wins that happen because of strong communication or collaboration
Quick win: Try a “DISC moment” at your next team huddle-ask everyone to share what style they used that week and how it helped.
Bring DISC on the Road
Traveling between offices or cities-from Petaluma to Santa Rosa or a quick run down to Novato-doesn’t mean leaving good habits behind. In fact, new environments are perfect for practicing flexible communication.
- Before visiting another office, review your DISC notes on colleagues you’ll meet
- Adjust your approach if you notice the culture shifts from place to place
- Use travel time as a chance to reflect on your strengths and growth areas
Tip: If you’re meeting folks from different backgrounds-like those in Healdsburg’s wine industry or Sonoma’s tech startups-think about how their context might influence their DISC style.
Keep DISC Visible
Out of sight, out of mind. Make DISC reminders part of your workspace, whether that’s a cubicle in Rohnert Park or a home office overlooking the vineyards.
- Post your DISC profile on your desk or in your digital workspace
- Use color-coded sticky notes for quick reminders of each style
- Share DISC successes in team newsletters or Slack channels
Next Step: Print a one-page summary of DISC styles and keep it nearby. Refer to it before important calls or meetings.
Keep Growing Together
DISC isn’t a one-and-done activity. The best teams revisit the model regularly. Consider a quarterly check-in or a short refresher workshop to keep the concepts fresh-especially if you’re onboarding new people or working across different locations like Sonoma, Rohnert Park, or Novato.
- Schedule group reflections on how DISC is working for your team
- Set team goals around communication and collaboration
- Encourage feedback on how DISC has helped with conflict resolution or teamwork
Takeaway: Regular practice builds muscle memory-soon, using DISC will feel as natural as grabbing your morning coffee.
Final Thought
DISC works best when it’s a living part of your workday, not just a memory from a workshop. By building small, intentional habits-whether you’re in your Petaluma office or visiting nearby Santa Rosa or Healdsburg-you’ll see real improvements in communication and teamwork. Start with one habit this week, and watch your team’s connections grow stronger every day.