How to Make Meetings Smoother with a DISC Approach
Meetings can feel long, repetitive, and sometimes a little scattered-especially when everyone brings their own style to the table. Whether you’re heading out from Floral Park to meet with colleagues in Garden City, Valley Stream, Hempstead, Elmont, or Mineola, you know how important it is to keep things moving and productive. Here’s how a few tweaks using the DISC model can help you lead meetings that actually work for everyone in the room.
DISC and Meetings: Why Bother?
The DISC model breaks down the ways people communicate and interact into four main personality styles. When you use DISC in your meetings, you’re not just talking about personalities-you’re setting everyone up to contribute, listen, and get things done. The result? Fewer misunderstandings, better teamwork, and more action steps checked off before you leave the conference room.
- Direct (D): Likes quick decisions and straight talk
- Influence (I): Enjoys big ideas and lively discussions
- Steadiness (S): Values stability and clear steps
- Compliance (C): Needs details and time to think things through
Takeaway: When you know these styles, you can plan for more effective meetings that fit your team-not just your agenda.
Easy Ways to Use DISC for Smoother Meetings
You don’t need a total overhaul to see a difference. Try these quick DISC tweaks the next time you’re gathering your team-whether you’re in-person or dialing in from your office in Floral Park or heading down the road to Valley Stream or Elmont.
- Set expectations up front: Share an agenda and let everyone know what’s coming. D and C styles appreciate knowing what to expect, while I and S types benefit from having time to prepare thoughts.
- Mix up your approach: Start with a quick check-in for the I types, then move to direct updates for the D folks. Save time for questions and deeper dives for S and C personalities.
- Keep things moving: Watch the clock and keep conversations focused. If you see people getting restless or quiet, check in to make sure everyone is heard.
- Summarize and assign next steps: At the end, recap decisions and who’s responsible for what. This gives S and C styles clarity, and keeps D and I styles accountable.
Tip: Next time, try assigning a different team member to lead each agenda section. You’ll see new energy and give everyone a chance to play to their strengths.
Practical Examples of DISC Tweaks in Action
Here’s how these DISC tweaks show up in real meetings:
- Brainstorming session: Let I and D types kick things off with fresh ideas. Bring S and C types in next to refine and organize the thoughts into action items.
- Project update: Give D and C personalities a chance to share straight facts and numbers first. Then open the floor for I and S types to discuss team impacts and next steps.
- Conflict resolution: Acknowledge each style’s needs-fast answers for Ds, understanding for Ss, details for Cs, and open discussion for Is. This helps you reach solutions faster and with less stress.
Suggested step: Before your next meeting, jot down the DISC styles of your team members. Use this as a cheat sheet to plan who might need more time, more details, or more encouragement to speak up.
Benefits You’ll Notice Right Away
When you use DISC in meetings, you’ll spot improvements fast-whether you’re working with a small group in Mineola or running a bigger session that draws folks from Hempstead, Garden City, or beyond.
- People feel heard and understood
- Decisions get made more quickly
- Action items are clear (and actually get done)
- Conflicts are easier to resolve
- Everyone feels more invested in the outcome
Takeaway: A little knowledge goes a long way-using DISC helps you get more from every meeting, every time.
Your Next Move: Try It Out
Heading to your next meeting-whether you’re commuting from Floral Park or catching up with colleagues in Garden City or Mineola-pick one DISC tweak from this list and try it out. Watch how your team responds. With a little practice, you’ll see meetings start to run smoother, with less talking over each other and more real results.
For more tips, consider a DISC assessment or a DISC training session. You’ll build new habits that make every meeting easier and more productive, no matter where your team is based.