Make Team Goals Work for Every Personality
When you set goals for your team, you want everyone moving in sync-no matter how different your communication styles might be. That’s where DISC comes in. By making your goals DISC-friendly, you can get your team on the same page, boost motivation, and cut down on confusion or conflict.
Why DISC Makes Group Goals Easier
DISC is a personality model that helps you understand how people like to work, communicate, and solve problems. Each team member brings a different style to the table-some jump right in, others want all the details, and some need time to think things over.
- Direct (D): Likes quick wins and clear direction.
- Influence (I): Thrives with collaboration and excitement.
- Steadiness (S): Prefers steady progress and teamwork.
- Conscientious (C): Needs structure, details, and accuracy.
When you build your goals with these styles in mind, you make it easier for every personality to contribute and succeed.
Tip: Take five minutes to think about your team. Who jumps into new projects? Who asks a lot of questions? Start matching these tendencies to DISC types-you’ll be a step ahead.
Simple Ways to Set DISC-Friendly Goals
You don’t need to overhaul your whole process. Instead, use these simple strategies to make your group goals work for every DISC style:
- Keep it clear and direct. Everyone likes to know what success looks like. Spell out the goal and key steps.
- Invite different perspectives. Give everyone a chance to share ideas and ask questions-especially those who process information more slowly.
- Break big goals into smaller wins. Direct folks stay motivated by quick progress, while steady team members feel better seeing step-by-step movement.
- Celebrate along the way. Influencers love recognition; conscientious types appreciate seeing the numbers or details that show progress.
- Document the plan. Make sure everyone can refer to timelines, next steps, and who’s doing what. This helps reduce confusion for all styles.
Next step: At your next meeting, review a current goal and ask the team what would make it clearer or easier to track. Notice the different answers you get-then adjust the plan together.
DISC in Action: Real-Life Scenarios
Think about your last team project. Did you notice that some folks in the room (or on Zoom) from the Westside were eager to get rolling, while others-maybe from an area near the hills-wanted to talk through every detail? This mix is normal, especially if your team travels around places like Beverly Hills, Culver City, Santa Clarita, Glendale, or even Malibu.
- When you’re working with people from different neighborhoods, you see how their backgrounds and communication styles influence their approach to goals.
- Using DISC, you can bridge these differences by making sure everyone’s needs are met-whether they value speed, stability, input, or accuracy.
Takeaway: Next time you split into small teams or travel for a team event, try matching roles to DISC strengths. Put detail-oriented folks on planning, give outgoing types the kickoff, and let steady personalities manage follow-up.
Bring DISC to Your Next Team Meeting
You don’t have to be a DISC expert to start making your goals more inclusive and effective. Try these quick actions:
- Ask each person how they like to receive updates-some want big-picture, others want the nitty-gritty.
- Share a simple handout or chart showing the four DISC styles for quick reference.
- Check in more than once. Different personalities open up at different speeds.
Tip: When you’re on the go-maybe heading to a client meeting in Malibu or a workshop in Glendale-practice tailoring your updates to match your audience’s DISC style. You’ll notice smoother conversations and fewer crossed wires.
Keep Your Team Moving Forward Together
When you make DISC part of your goal-setting process, you turn differences into strengths. Whether your team is based near the beach or coming in from Beverly Hills, Culver City, Santa Clarita, Glendale, or Malibu, you’ll find it easier to build trust, stay aligned, and reach your targets.
Action to try: Review your next team goal with the DISC lens-ask yourself if it’s clear, inclusive, and broken down into steps everyone can follow. Making this small change sets your team up for real, lasting success.