How DISC Can Help You Make Meetings Run More Smoothly
If you’re working in Menlo Park, you know meetings can sometimes feel like a traffic jam on Willow Road-everyone’s trying to get somewhere, but it doesn’t always flow. Whether your team is based right here, or you’re traveling in from Palo Alto, Redwood City, Mountain View, Stanford, or East Palo Alto, a few easy DISC tweaks can take your meetings from stressful to productive.
Why DISC Matters in Your Meetings
DISC is a simple personality assessment that helps you understand how you and your colleagues communicate. Every team has people with different styles-some jump right into decisions, others want to hear every detail, and a few need time to think things through. DISC gives you a quick way to spot these differences and adjust how you lead or participate in meetings.
- D: Direct, results-focused, quick to act
- I: Outgoing, talkative, enthusiastic
- S: Steady, thoughtful, good listeners
- C: Precise, detail-oriented, focused on accuracy
When you know your team’s DISC profiles, you can set up meetings that feel less like a Silicon Valley roundabout and more like a smooth drive down El Camino Real.
Takeaway: Start by learning your colleagues’ DISC styles to get everyone on the same page.
Quick DISC Tweaks to Make Meetings Smoother
You don’t need a complete overhaul-just a few practical changes can help your meetings run more efficiently. Try these next time your team gathers.
- Set Clear Agendas: High-D personalities want to get right to the point. Print out the agenda or share it on the screen before starting. This keeps everyone focused and respects everyone’s time.
- Build in Time for Interaction: High-I team members thrive on conversation and connection. Start with a quick check-in or a lighthearted story-something you’d swap over coffee at a local Menlo Park café.
- Give Space for Reflection: If you have steady S-types in your group, allow a pause after big topics. Say, “Take a minute to think and jot down your thoughts,” before you move to decisions.
- Provide Details in Writing: For your C-style colleagues who want accuracy, follow up with detailed notes or a summary. This helps them feel confident about what was discussed and what’s next.
Next step: Try one of these tweaks in your next meeting and see how your team responds.
Real-World Examples of DISC in Action
DISC isn’t just about theory-it works in the real world, from start-ups to established companies. Maybe you’re heading to a project brainstorm in Mountain View, a cross-team sync in Redwood City, or collaborating with partners in Palo Alto. Here’s how you can use DISC to make those meetings more effective:
- Brainstorm Sessions: Let I-types lead the creative kickoff, then bring in C-types to sort through ideas and S-types to spot any missing details.
- Team Check-Ins: Use D-types to keep things moving, but check in with S-types to make sure everyone’s on board.
- Client Meetings: Notice if your client likes to dive into details (a C) or prefers the big picture (a D or I). Adjust your presentation style accordingly.
Tip: Watch for non-verbal cues-if someone is quiet or seems tuned out, check if they need a different style of communication.
Benefits You’ll Notice Right Away
When you use DISC adjustments in your meetings, you’ll quickly see some real benefits:
- People speak up more often and feel heard
- Disagreements get resolved faster
- Decisions are clearer and easier to follow
- Meetings end on time-or even early
- Follow-ups are more effective, with fewer misunderstandings
Action item: After your next meeting, ask the group what felt different and what could be improved using DISC insights.
Try DISC Tweaks in Your Next Meeting
Whether you’re hosting a morning standup in Menlo Park or driving in from Stanford or East Palo Alto, DISC can help you cut down on confusion and boost collaboration. The key is to start small-add one or two tweaks, see what works, and build from there. If you’re looking for more hands-on practice, consider a DISC workshop or training session to help your team work even better together.
Takeaway: Meetings don’t have to be a drag. With a few DISC tweaks, you can make every gathering more productive-for you and your whole team.