The Listening Leader: How DISC Made Steve a Better Communicator
Steve was the kind of manager who believed in action. Results-driven and fast-moving, he thought his team meetings were efficient—even when they were mostly monologues. He’d present the plan, assign tasks, and move on. In his mind, listening was just a box to check before real work began.
But despite hitting deadlines, something was missing. Team morale dipped. Engagement dropped. Feedback loops were nonexistent. Steve noticed more turnover and silence in meetings where there used to be energy. Something wasn’t working.
Wake-Up Call: Communication Isn’t a One-Way Street
One afternoon, Steve overheard a conversation between two team members:
“I feel like he already knows what he wants before we talk.”
“Yeah… it’s like our input doesn’t matter.”
That hit hard.
Steve had assumed his decisiveness was helping—but his team felt unheard and undervalued. That moment became his wake-up call: Being a great communicator wasn’t about talking—it was about listening with intention.
And he realized something deeper:
➡️ Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all—and neither is communication.
The Shift: DISC Training Opened a New Door
Steve enrolled in a DISC communication workshop, curious—but skeptical. What could a personality tool teach him that years in leadership hadn’t?
Turns out: a lot.
Here’s what he discovered and applied:
✅ Self-Awareness: Steve identified as a high-D (Dominance) type—results-oriented, fast-paced, and sometimes blunt. Understanding this helped him pause before pushing, making space for others’ voices.
✅ Style Matching: Through DISC, he recognized the different styles in his team—his thoughtful C’s who needed data, his enthusiastic I’s who needed interaction, and his steady S’s who needed reassurance. He adapted his communication to fit their needs.
✅ Active Listening: Instead of jumping into decisions, he started asking open-ended questions and actually waiting for the answers. He learned to reflect back what he heard and confirm understanding—a simple shift that built massive trust.
✅ Team Buy-In: He introduced DISC language into meetings. Team members began understanding each other better too—and communication became a two-way street.
The Results: A Team That Feels Heard and Performs Better
Meetings became more collaborative. Team members contributed freely because they felt safe and seen. Steve didn’t lose control of outcomes—in fact, he gained more alignment and buy-in than ever before.
People stayed longer. Engagement went up. Performance improved. And most importantly, Steve became the kind of leader who listened first—and led better because of it.
Become the Leader People Want to Talk To 👂💬
Listening isn’t a soft skill—it’s a power skill.
Want to create stronger team connections, reduce friction, and lead with clarity?
👉 Enroll in our DISC Communication Training and discover how to turn conversations into collaboration.
✨ Great communication starts with great listening. Your team deserves a leader who hears them. Be that leader today.
Looking forward to helping you step into your full leadership potential.
Best regards,
Checree Bryant
CEO Actuate Consulting
