How DISC Can Make Your 1:1 Meetings More Effective
If you manage a team, you know how important your one-on-one meetings are. These quick check-ins can make the difference between a motivated, engaged team and one that feels left out of the loop. The DISC model is a proven way to take your 1:1s up a notch-without overhauling your whole style. With just a few small changes, you can help your team members feel seen, heard, and supported every time you sit down together.
Why DISC Works for Managers
DISC is a personality assessment tool that helps you understand four main behavioral styles: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. When you learn to spot these styles, you can adjust how you communicate-leading to better conversations and fewer misunderstandings. For managers, these little tweaks can make every 1:1 meeting feel more personalized and productive.
- Dominance (D): Likes to take charge, values results and efficiency.
- Influence (I): Loves interaction, values enthusiasm and encouragement.
- Steadiness (S): Enjoys stability, values support and collaboration.
- Conscientiousness (C): Focuses on accuracy, values logic and details.
Tip: Try observing team members’ communication styles during meetings or daily chats. You’ll start to notice patterns, which helps you tailor your approach.
Simple DISC Tweaks for Better Meetings
You don’t need a full overhaul to get more from your 1:1s. Just a few small changes, based on DISC, can help you connect and communicate better with each person on your team.
| DISC Style | 1:1 Meeting Tip |
|---|---|
| Dominance (D) | Get to the point. Focus on results and next steps. Avoid lots of small talk. |
| Influence (I) | Start with some friendly conversation. Show enthusiasm and recognition for their contributions. |
| Steadiness (S) | Ask how they’re doing. Give them time to share. Emphasize teamwork and stability. |
| Conscientiousness (C) | Share the agenda in advance if possible. Be clear and organized. Allow time for questions. |
Takeaway: Match your pace and focus to each person’s DISC style-you’ll see more engagement and fewer misunderstandings.
DISC in Action: Real Changes You Can Make Today
Try using these actionable tweaks in your next round of one-on-one meetings:
- Ask for preferences: At the start of the meeting, ask how they like to receive feedback or updates.
- Check-in on energy: Notice if someone seems rushed or withdrawn, and adjust your style accordingly.
- Personalize your praise: Some people want public shout-outs, others prefer a quiet word.
- Use clear agendas: For detail-oriented team members, send a quick agenda ahead of time.
- Keep it flexible: For outgoing team members, leave room for brainstorming or casual conversation.
Tip: After a meeting, jot down what worked well and what you could do differently next time. These notes help you keep improving with every 1:1.
DISC Training: Building Better Teams One Meeting at a Time
When you use DISC, you’re not just running better meetings-you’re building a culture where everyone feels valued, whether you’re working in Friendswood or traveling to nearby cities like League City, Alvin, Pearland, Dickinson, or Pasadena. The DISC model gives you a framework to support your team’s growth, keep folks motivated, and spot potential conflicts before they get in the way.
- Understand what makes your team tick.
- Reduce stress and confusion by speaking each person’s language.
- Help your team collaborate and solve problems faster.
Next step: If you’re curious about how DISC can help, try a personality assessment yourself or set up a short DISC workshop for your team. You’ll be surprised by how much smoother your meetings-and your workday-can become.
Start Small, See Big Results
Building better meetings doesn’t require a big production. With DISC, it’s all about those small, intentional tweaks. Whether you’re leading teams at your Friendswood office or out on the road to League City, Alvin, Pearland, Dickinson, or Pasadena, you can use these strategies to connect and communicate more clearly with your people. The result? More effective meetings, stronger teamwork, and a workplace where everyone can do their best work.
Try this: Choose one DISC tweak from this list and use it in your next 1:1. Watch how your team responds, then build from there.