DISC: The Personality Tool Every Professional Should Know
If you work in a fast-paced setting, whether it’s an office near Astoria or a team meeting in Forest Hills, you know how quickly misunderstandings can pop up. DISC is a simple personality tool that helps you cut through confusion and communicate with just about anyone-no matter their style. Here’s the five-minute guide, so you can start using DISC in your work and team right away.
What DISC Really Means
DISC is a personality assessment that breaks down how people prefer to act, talk, and solve problems. The letters stand for four main behavioral styles:
- D – Dominance: Likes results, gets to the point, and moves fast.
- I – Influence: Brings energy, loves conversation, and builds connections.
- S – Steadiness: Values support, keeps the peace, and works steadily.
- C – Conscientiousness: Pays attention to details, checks facts, and wants things done right.
Everyone has a mix of these styles, but usually, one or two are strongest. Knowing your own style-and spotting others’-helps you connect, lead, and solve problems faster.
Tip: Start by thinking about which letter sounds most like you during busy weeks or tough conversations.
Why DISC Works for Professionals and Teams
DISC isn’t just another personality test. It gives you a practical way to:
- Understand your natural strengths and what gets on your nerves
- Notice what motivates your coworkers or team members
- Adjust your emails, meetings, or feedback so people “get” you
- Handle disagreements before they turn into bigger problems
In short, DISC helps you build trust, save time, and keep projects moving-whether you’re leading a meeting or collaborating on a deadline.
Try this: Before your next meeting, guess which DISC style your colleagues use. Notice if your approach fits their style, and try making one small adjustment.
DISC in Action: From Theory to Everyday Practice
DISC is only helpful if you use it. Here’s how professionals and teams put it into practice:
- Role-play real conversations-Practice how to share feedback with a D, I, S, or C style colleague.
- Review team projects-Notice who prefers to jump in versus who wants a clear plan.
- Build empathy-Recognize that some folks need details, while others just want the big picture.
Think about your own team. Do you have someone who always wants to wrap things up quickly? That’s probably a high D. Is there a person who prefers written updates with bullet points? They might lean toward C.
Next step: Try matching your communication to the DISC style you’re working with. For example, use bullet points for a C, or focus on quick decisions with a D.
How DISC Helps You Succeed
DISC training pays off in ways that matter for your work and your team’s results:
- Boosts self-awareness, so you know your strengths and triggers
- Builds empathy, helping you see what others need to do their best
- Makes your emails, meetings, and feedback more clear and effective
- Reduces long debates or misunderstandings
- Helps you develop and keep top talent by understanding what motivates people
Action: After learning your DISC profile, share it with your team. Compare styles and talk about how you can support each other better.
Making DISC Training Work Near You
Whether you’re commuting from Brooklyn, heading to a session in Manhattan, or working with partners in Bronx, Great Neck, or Floral Park, DISC training is accessible and easy to start. You don’t need to travel far-all you need is a willingness to learn more about yourself and your team.
- If you work across boroughs, DISC can bridge cultural and communication gaps.
- For those managing remote teams or hybrid schedules, DISC helps keep everyone on the same page.
Set aside five minutes today to explore your DISC style. It’s a quick step that pays off across meetings, projects, and even in how you approach tough conversations with clients or coworkers.
Pro tip: The next time you’re stuck in traffic on the LIE or waiting for the 7 train, take a few minutes to think about which DISC styles you interact with daily-and how you can make your next conversation smoother.