How DISC Helps You Decide: Should You Email or Call?
If you work with teams, clients, or partners, you know the classic question: Should you send that message as an email, or is it better to pick up the phone? DISC training helps you answer that question with confidence. By understanding personality styles, you can tailor your communication for better results-whether you’re working from Antioch, heading to Concord for a meeting, or coordinating with someone in Pittsburg, Brentwood, Oakley, or Martinez.
DISC and Your Communication Choices
DISC is a personality assessment tool that breaks down how people prefer to communicate and interact. Each person leans toward one or more of these four styles:
- D (Dominance): Direct, fast-paced, results-focused
- I (Influence): Social, energetic, relationship-oriented
- S (Steadiness): Patient, supportive, reliable
- C (Conscientiousness): Analytical, detail-oriented, cautious
Knowing these styles helps you match your communication method to the person-and the situation. Here’s how you can use DISC to decide when an email works best, and when a phone call is worth your time.
When Email Works Best, According to DISC
- For C and S Styles: If you’re dealing with someone who values details, accuracy, or time to process information, email is usually the way to go. These styles appreciate having a written record and a chance to respond thoughtfully.
- For Routine Updates: If you’re sharing status updates, meeting notes, or step-by-step instructions, email lets everyone review the details at their pace.
- When Documentation Matters: If you need a paper trail-say, confirming travel plans for a conference in Martinez or outlining next steps for a joint project with a team in Oakley-email is your best friend.
Try this today: Next time you need to send a list of action items or technical details, use email for clarity and reference.
When Picking Up the Phone Makes Sense
- For D and I Styles: If your colleague is all about big ideas, fast decisions, or personal connection, a quick call can go a long way. D-types want to get to the point, while I-types appreciate the energy and warmth of a voice.
- For Urgent or Sensitive Topics: If there’s a misunderstanding, a change in plans, or something that could be misread in writing, a call helps clear things up fast.
- When Building Relationships: Maybe you’re wrapping up a cross-team project with folks from Brentwood or following up on a sales call with new contacts in Pittsburg. A call adds a personal touch and helps build trust.
Try this today: If you sense a message might be misunderstood or you want to motivate your team, pick up the phone instead of writing another email.
DISC in Action: Real Scenarios
- Team Meeting Follow-Ups: After a big meeting, send a summary email to everyone. But if you notice a teammate didn’t speak up or seems confused, give them a call to check in and answer questions.
- Travel Coordination: Organizing a group trip to Concord or Oakley for a regional event? Use email for schedules and directions, but call if you need quick decisions or last-minute confirmations.
- Conflict Resolution: If a disagreement pops up-maybe about a project timeline with partners in Martinez-start with a call to address concerns, then follow up with an email recap.
Takeaway: Use DISC insights to choose your tools-email for clarity and details, calls for connection and quick problem-solving.
Tips to Put DISC Communication Into Practice
- Notice how your coworkers respond to different types of messages.
- Start your day by jotting down who needs a call and who needs an email-tailor your approach.
- If you’re not sure of someone’s style, ask how they prefer to communicate or pay attention to their habits.
- Keep your tone friendly and professional, whether you’re writing or speaking, especially when working with teams in areas like Antioch, Brentwood, or Concord.
Next Step: Pick one person you interact with this week and try matching your communication style to their DISC preference. Notice what changes!
Bringing It All Together
DISC isn’t just theory-it’s a practical tool for making everyday work smoother. Whether you’re leading a team, collaborating on a project, or traveling between Antioch and nearby areas like Oakley, Martinez, Pittsburg, Brentwood, or Concord, using the right communication method builds stronger relationships and gets things done faster. Start using DISC to help you decide: Is this an email moment, or should you make it a call?