How DISC Helps You Read Remote Work Behaviors
If you’re working remotely-whether from your home in Arcadia or hopping on virtual meetings with teams across Southern California-understanding DISC can make your workdays a lot smoother. Once you know the DISC model, you’ll start spotting certain signals in your colleagues’ emails, chats, and video calls. This article will help you recognize those signals and use them to communicate better, lead with confidence, and build stronger connections, no matter where your teammates are logging in.
Quick Recap: What Is DISC?
DISC is a simple personality assessment that sorts people into four main behavioral styles: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). Each style communicates, works, and handles stress in their own way. By learning these patterns, you can adjust your approach for better teamwork, especially when you’re not face-to-face.
- D (Dominance): Direct, fast-paced, likes quick results.
- I (Influence): Social, optimistic, loves teamwork and sharing ideas.
- S (Steadiness): Patient, supportive, prefers routine and harmony.
- C (Conscientiousness): Detail-oriented, thorough, values accuracy and quality.
Takeaway: By knowing your own DISC style and spotting others’, you make remote work less confusing and more collaborative.
Common DISC Signals in Remote Work
Now that you know the basics, what does this look like when you’re working from your kitchen table or a cozy corner at Cafe 86? Here’s what you might notice:
- D Style: Short, to-the-point emails. Quick decisions over Zoom. Wants bullet points, not stories.
- I Style: Uses emojis, keeps video on, loves brainstorming sessions. You’ll see lots of “Great job!” in the chat.
- S Style: Checks in to see how everyone’s doing. Prefers clear agendas and hates last-minute changes to meetings.
- C Style: Sends detailed docs and asks for clarification. May prefer written updates over calls.
Tip: When you spot these signals, try matching your communication style to theirs for smoother teamwork.
Applying DISC to Real Remote Work Scenarios
Here’s how you can use DISC knowledge to solve some everyday remote work challenges:
- If your manager is all about quick updates, send them bullet points instead of paragraphs.
- If your teammate loves chatting, start your calls with a quick catch-up before diving into the agenda.
- If someone on your team is quiet in meetings but sends detailed follow-ups, respect their need for clarity and structure.
Action step: Pick one person you work with and try adapting your next message or meeting to their DISC style.
How DISC Makes Remote Collaboration Easier
DISC isn’t just about labels-it’s a practical tool for everyday connection. When you’re juggling deadlines, time zones, or just a packed calendar, here’s how it helps:
- Improves clarity: You know what info people need and how they like to get it.
- Reduces misunderstandings: You can spot when someone’s stressed and adjust your approach.
- Builds trust: People notice when you “get” them, and it makes working together easier.
Try this: Before your next video call, review the DISC styles of your teammates and jot down one way you can make the meeting easier for each style.
Traveling? See DISC in Action Beyond Arcadia
Whether you’re working from Arcadia, heading over to Pasadena for a client meeting, collaborating with a colleague in Alhambra, checking in with someone in Altadena, or even venturing out to Monrovia or Duarte, you’ll notice that DISC signals show up everywhere. From the laid-back coffee shops in Altadena to the hustle of Pasadena’s business district, people’s styles remain unique-but the way you use DISC can help you connect across all these neighborhoods.
- Pasadena: Meetings move fast-be ready for D-style managers who want quick updates.
- Alhambra: Team chats are lively-expect I-style folks to keep things upbeat.
- Altadena: Projects run smooth-S-style teammates value routine and reliability.
- Monrovia and Duarte: Details matter-C-style colleagues keep everything on track with their thoroughness.
Next time you’re in one of these nearby areas, notice the different ways people communicate. Try adjusting your approach based on what you’ve learned about DISC and see what changes.
Your Next Step with DISC
Ready to use what you’ve learned? Start by identifying your own DISC style and then watch for signals in your next remote meeting or email thread. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to communicate, lead, and collaborate-no matter where you’re working from. With DISC, you’ll find it’s possible to connect with anyone, anywhere.