How to Make DISC Habits Stick After Your Workshop
You’ve wrapped up your DISC training, and you’re feeling ready to use what you’ve learned. But back at work, with emails piling up and meetings rolling in, even the best insights can fade into the background. Whether your team is based in Soquel or you’re commuting from nearby spots like Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Watsonville, Aptos, or Capitola, keeping DISC alive in your daily routine is doable-and worth it.
Keep DISC Top of Mind Every Day
DISC isn’t just for workshops or special projects. It’s a tool you can use every single day to improve communication and teamwork. You don’t need to overhaul your routine-just make a few mindful tweaks.
- Start meetings with a DISC check-in: Ask team members to share how they’re feeling or what communication style they’re bringing to the table that day. This keeps everyone aware and respectful of different approaches.
- Use reminders: Keep a simple DISC chart or your team’s profile summary visible at your desk or in your digital workspace. A visual cue goes a long way to keeping styles fresh in your mind.
- Set a weekly intention: Pick one DISC principle to focus on each week-such as active listening or adapting your communication style-and reflect on your progress each Friday.
Try this today: Place a sticky note with your top DISC strength where you’ll see it during calls or meetings.
Apply DISC to Real Conversations
It’s easy to talk about communication styles in theory, but the real benefits show up when you use DISC in actual conversations. Next time you’re chatting with a colleague or leading a team huddle, bring your DISC knowledge into play.
- Pause and observe: Notice if someone prefers details or big-picture ideas, quick decisions or careful consensus. Adjust your approach in the moment-maybe by offering more data, or by giving space for discussion.
- Clarify and confirm: After sharing important information, ask, “Does this make sense to you?” or “What’s your take?” This invites feedback and helps you spot when you need to adapt your style.
- Use DISC language: If you’re comfortable, name the styles in conversation: “I know you prefer to get right to the point, so here’s the summary.”
Next step: In your next team meeting, listen for signs of different DISC styles and jot down what you notice.
Build DISC into Team Culture
When everyone on your team keeps DISC in mind, you see real changes: smoother projects, less confusion, and stronger results. This is true whether you’re working in a Soquel office, driving in from Santa Cruz or Watsonville, or catching up with remote teammates in Scotts Valley, Aptos, or Capitola.
- Share wins: When DISC-based communication leads to a better outcome, call it out. For example, “We wrapped up that project quickly because we played to everyone’s strengths.”
- Encourage feedback: Make it normal to talk about communication preferences. Ask, “What helps you do your best work?” or “How can we make meetings more productive for everyone?”
- Celebrate diversity: Recognize and appreciate the range of styles in your group. A quick shout-out during a team lunch or a note in a group chat goes a long way.
Practice this week: Acknowledge one teammate’s unique approach and how it helps the team.
Keep Learning as a Team
DISC isn’t a one-and-done event. The best teams keep learning and reinforcing good habits. If you’re heading into Soquel from Santa Cruz, Watsonville, or Scotts Valley, use your time together to share what’s working-and what could be better.
- Schedule DISC refreshers: Add short DISC check-ins to regular meetings, or plan a quarterly review of your team’s styles and goals.
- Use real scenarios: When a challenge pops up, talk about it using DISC language. “What style would help us solve this?” or “How can we use our different strengths here?”
- Rotate leadership: Let different team members lead discussions using their own styles. This builds empathy and expands everyone’s toolkit.
Action item: Propose a 10-minute DISC reflection at your next team meeting.
Take DISC with You-Wherever You Go
Whether your workday takes you up Highway 17 to Scotts Valley, out to Watsonville’s strawberry fields, or down to Capitola’s beachfront, DISC is a skill you can use anywhere. The more you practice, the more natural it becomes-at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
- Reflect during commutes: Use drive-time to think about recent conversations and how you might apply DISC next time.
- Share with others: Talk about DISC with colleagues, friends, or family. Teaching what you’ve learned helps you internalize it.
- Look for patterns: Notice how different environments bring out different styles in you and others. Use that insight to adjust and connect better.
Try this: On your next drive or walk, pick one DISC idea to focus on and see how it changes your next interaction.
Small Habits, Big Results
Staying consistent with DISC doesn’t require big changes-just small, steady habits. When you use DISC in everyday moments, you make your team stronger, your communication clearer, and your workplace more positive. Start with one habit this week, and see how it builds over time.