From Overwhelmed to Confident: How DISC Helped a New Leader Succeed
When Maya was promoted to her first leadership role at a growing marketing agency, she was thrilled. After five years of delivering top-tier results as a graphic designer and strategist, it felt like the perfect next step. Her boss praised her work ethic, and her peers respected her skill. But within just a few weeks, that initial excitement began to wear off.
Meetings were tense. Team members seemed withdrawn, unresponsive, or distracted. Project timelines kept slipping. Maya felt like she was repeating herself, yet no one was truly listening. She began to question her ability.
“I thought being a leader meant showing up with answers, directing the team, and setting high standards,” Maya later recalled. “But it started to feel like I was dragging the team instead of leading them.”
Wake-Up Call: Leadership Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
Maya had unknowingly fallen into the “one-size-fits-all” leadership trap. She managed the way she preferred to be managed—structured, data-driven, and focused on efficiency. But this style didn’t connect with everyone.
Her wake-up call came during a one-on-one conversation with Leo, a talented team member who had started withdrawing from meetings. “I know you’re trying to help,” Leo admitted, “but I often feel like I’m being micromanaged. I work best when I have space to create without constant pressure.”
That single conversation was a mirror. Maya realized that while her intentions were good, her execution lacked flexibility. Her leadership was effective for someone like her—but not for the diverse personalities on her team.
The Turning Point: Discovering DISC
Determined to improve, Maya enrolled in a DISC-based leadership training course recommended by HR. She took the DISC assessment and found out that her dominant style was C – Conscientious: detail-oriented, process-driven, and high expectations.
But then came the game-changer: she reviewed the DISC profiles of her team.
✅ Two team members were S – Steady: loyal, calm, and process-focused. They craved stability and needed more reassurance than pressure.
✅ One was I – Influential: social, enthusiastic, and inspired by energy and recognition.
✅ Another had a D – Dominant profile, like her—but preferred directness and independence, not micromanagement.
Maya had been treating everyone as if they operated on her wavelength—expecting precise, independent, and analytical output from each team member. But DISC helped her see the invisible disconnects.
The Solution: Adapting Her Leadership Style
Armed with new awareness, Maya began to lead with intention. She stopped trying to “fix” the team and started adjusting her approach. Here’s what changed:
1. For Her “S” Team Members (Steady):
She slowed her pace, gave clearer instructions, and provided regular reassurance. Instead of abrupt changes, she introduced new ideas gradually and invited input.
“I realized they weren’t resisting me—they just needed consistency and emotional security,” Maya said.
2. For Her “I” Team Member (Influential):
She created more space for brainstorming and celebrated small wins during team meetings. She made time for personal check-ins, which helped build trust and enthusiasm.
“Before, I thought energy was a distraction. Now, I see it’s fuel,” she reflected.
3. For Her “D” Peer (Dominant):
She was more direct and goal-focused in communications, providing them the autonomy they craved.
“Once I stopped hovering, they became one of my top performers,” she noted.
The results were clear. Projects moved faster. Meetings became collaborative. Her team started speaking up more, offering ideas, and owning responsibilities.
But the biggest change? Maya stopped dreading Monday mornings. Her stress gave way to confidence. She finally felt like a leader, not just a manager.
Ready for Your Leadership Breakthrough?
Maya’s story is proof that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about learning how to adapt your approach. The DISC framework is a powerful tool that helps you build stronger, more productive teams by understanding how people work best.
👉 Take the first step today. Explore our DISC Leadership Training and unlock your potential.
Looking forward to helping you step into your full leadership potential.
Best regards,
Checree Bryant
CEO Actuate Consulting
