Understanding the Humans You Work With

A Beginner’s Guide to the DISC Personality Test

By The Culture Architect

Ever feel like your team is speaking four different languages—and none of them are yours?

One person needs a full colour-coded spreadsheet, another wants to jump straight to the solution. Someone else wants to talk it out for an hour, and another has ghosted the conversation entirely (but is somehow still smashing goals).

Welcome to the human-first workplace.

One of my favourite tools to help decode these delightful (and sometimes maddening) differences is the DISC personality test. It’s simple, practical, and—when used well—can completely shift how teams work together.

So, what is DISC?

DISC is a behavioural model that helps us understand how people do things—how they communicate, make decisions, and interact with others.

It breaks personalities down into four core types:

• D – Dominance
  Think: Direct, driven, “Let’s go already.”
  Focused on results, speed, and action.

• I – Influence
  Think: Chatty, charming, and allergic to silence.
  Focused on people, positivity, and persuasion.

• S – Steadiness
  Think: Calm, loyal, peacekeeper energy.
  Focused on consistency, support, and harmony.

• C – Conscientiousness
  Think: Details, rules, and a spreadsheet that tracks everything.
  Focused on accuracy, quality, and doing it right.

Most of us are a blend of types, but one or two will typically lead the show.

Why does this matter for teams?

When leaders and teams understand DISC, three magical things happen:

1. Communication improves overnight

The I stops steamrolling the C with a million ideas before 9 AM.

The D learns to ask the S how they’re feeling, not just what they’ve done.

2. Conflict becomes less personal

We stop assuming someone’s being “difficult” or “slow” and start recognising their needs and strengths.

3. We build teams that balance each other

Because spoiler alert: four high Ds in a room?

Fire.

But also possibly an actual fire.

How I use DISC with teams

In my work as The Culture Architect, I use DISC as a foundation for:

• Team workshops

• Leadership development

• Hiring and onboarding

• Strengths-based coaching

• Culture repair (when things have gone a bit… spicy)

DISC isn’t about boxing people in—it’s about understanding what drives them, and giving them (and you) the tools to work better together.

Want to know your team’s DISC style?

I’d love to help you uncover your team’s personality blend—and use it to build a culture where everyone thrives.

Because at the end of the day, strong culture isn’t about sameness.

It’s about understanding, alignment, and knowing your people.

Let’s decode your humans.

One D, I, S, and C at a time.

Want a DISC workshop or team session? DM me or book a complimentary 15 minute consult to chat further. 

#DISCpersonality #TeamCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #HumanFirstWorkplace #TheCultureArchitect