Every Manager's Go-To Guide for Leveraging DiSC and Accessing Worksmart
As a manager, your primary goal is to create a productive, collaborative, and high-performing team. Achieving this requires the right tools to improve communication, build trust, and address workplace challenges effectively. That’s where Everything DiSC on Catalyst and its companion tool, Worksmart, come in. These programs are designed to help managers like you transform team dynamics, elevate leadership practices, and tackle everyday challenges more effectively.
Whether you're managing conflict, motivating your team, or enhancing feedback processes, DiSC provides a proven framework to improve communication and collaboration. Worksmart takes it a step further by offering a practical toolkit tailored specifically to managers, allowing you to address real-world challenges with confidence.
And we should know... Powers Resource Center (PRC) and its CEO, Tara Powers, are multi-year Diamond Award winners for our exceptional work as a DiSC provider, having helped numerous organizations harness the power of DiSC to create more effective, efficient, and empowered teams.
Let’s explore how DiSC and Worksmart can take your leadership to the next level.
Understanding your team’s communication styles is the foundation of effective management. DiSC is a personality framework that helps team members identify their behavioral preferences, which in turn improves communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution.
D (Dominance):
Task-focused, results-oriented, and sometimes perceived as assertive or blunt.
I (Influence):
People-focused, enthusiastic, collaborative, though sometimes perceived as overly talkative or lacking follow-through.
S (Steadiness):
Supportive, team-oriented, prefers stable environments, and may be resistant to change.
C (Conscientiousness):
Detail-oriented, analytical, prefers structure and clarity, and may come across as overly critical.
By understanding these styles, managers can anticipate challenges and adapt their communication strategies. For instance, D-style employees may prefer direct, results-driven feedback, while S-style employees might appreciate a more supportive and empathetic approach.
Learn more about DiSC here.
DiSC is not just about improving communication—it’s a powerful tool for personal development plans. Managers can use DiSC to create tailored growth strategies based on each team member’s DiSC style.
For example:
I-style employees may need support in developing active listening skills for career advancement.
C-style employees might benefit from improving interpersonal communication and sharing ideas more openly with the team.
Case Study: Transforming Leadership with a D-Style Personality
Let’s explore how a D-style employee—typically assertive, goal-oriented, and driven by results—can be effectively managed and developed with DiSC.
A manager at a large sales firm noticed that one of their D-style team members, John, was consistently driving impressive results but often clashed with other team members. John’s straightforward, results-driven communication style occasionally came across as abrasive or overly blunt, causing frustration and resentment among his peers.
Using DiSC, the manager identified that John’s D traits—desire for control, directness, and results-focus—were in conflict with the S-style personalities of some of his team members, who preferred a more collaborative, supportive approach. Understanding this dynamic, the manager worked with John to refine his communication, encouraging him to adapt his direct style when interacting with others.
The manager also used Worksmart to provide John with tools to better manage feedback and conflict. For instance, in team meetings, John was encouraged to ask for others' opinions and show more empathy for how his directness might be received. This feedback loop helped him grow as a leader while maintaining his drive for results.
As a result, John improved his relationships with his peers, fostering a more collaborative and respectful team dynamic. The team’s performance surged, and John's ability to adjust his communication style resulted in higher team satisfaction and better cross-departmental collaboration.
Learn about Everything DiSC Worksmart on Catalyst and SAVE 50% by July 31, 2005.
Effective leadership thrives on continuous feedback. With Worksmart, managers can set up informal feedback loops and ensure the feedback is tailored to each individual’s DiSC style. Worksmart also provides real-time, actionable advice for improving specific behaviors, which encourages continuous growth.
For example, if a C-style employee struggles with assertiveness in meetings, Worksmart provides strategies to help them overcome this challenge, ensuring continuous improvement and boosting team morale.
Learn about Everything DiSC Worksmart on Catalyst and SAVE 50% by July 31, 2005.
Conflict is inevitable, but with DiSC, managers can proactively manage and resolve it. By recognizing potential sources of friction based on DiSC profiles, managers can address issues before they escalate.
For example, if a D-style employee clashes with an S-style colleague, a manager can use DiSC to understand the need for a direct, results-driven approach with the D, while offering the S a supportive, team-focused conversation.
Actionable Steps for Managers:
Provide specific conversation starters for each DiSC style to help navigate difficult conversations, such as:
D-style: “I understand you’re focused on getting results. Let’s discuss how we can achieve that faster…”
S-style: “Let’s work together to ensure everyone feels heard and supported…”
Learn about Everything DiSC Worksmart on Catalyst and SAVE 50% by July 31, 2005.
With more teams working remotely or in hybrid environments, it’s crucial to adjust DiSC strategies to fit these settings. DiSC and Worksmart are excellent tools for improving remote communication and ensuring that team members feel understood and engaged, no matter where they are.
Managers can integrate Worksmart into virtual meetings by encouraging team members to use the Catalyst platform to receive real-time tips for interacting with remote colleagues. This helps maintain psychological safety, fostering a trusting and collaborative environment, even when team members are not in the same physical space.
The Catalyst platform offers manager-specific tools that integrate DiSC into your daily operations. These tools include:
Real-time interaction tips: Use these to guide difficult conversations or one-on-one meetings, ensuring your approach resonates with each team member’s DiSC style.
Tracking progress over time: Use Catalyst’s data to measure improvements in team dynamics and adjust your strategies as needed.
The benefits of DiSC and Worksmart extend beyond individual teams to transform your entire organization:
Psychological safety:
Understanding each other’s styles creates a comfortable environment where team members can express ideas, take risks, and collaborate openly.
Employee engagement:
DiSC helps employees feel understood and valued, which boosts motivation, satisfaction, and retention.
Cross-departmental collaboration:
When employees across departments understand each other’s DiSC profiles, collaboration becomes more efficient and harmonious.
If you’re ready to get started with DiSC and Worksmart, here’s how:
Sign up for a demo or attend a free introductory session to see how these tools can benefit your team.
Get certified to facilitate DiSC training sessions, so you can lead your team through the process.
Incorporate DiSC insights into team meetings and one-on-ones to get the most out of every interaction.
Track team progress with Catalyst, measuring improvements in communication, feedback, and conflict resolution.
Overcome obstacles like resistance from team members or lack of upper management buy-in by focusing on the long-term benefits of enhanced communication and collaboration.
DiSC and Worksmart are essential tools for managers looking to elevate their leadership and optimize team dynamics. Here’s why:
Strengthened Communication:
DiSC helps you understand your team’s unique communication styles, enabling you to adjust your approach for maximum effectiveness.
Building Trust and Psychological Safety:
DiSC fosters a culture where team members feel heard, valued, and empowered.
Enhancing Emotional Intelligence:
DiSC enhances self-awareness and empathy—critical skills for effective leadership.
Tailored Manager Training with Worksmart:
Worksmart provides actionable strategies for tackling daily challenges like feedback, conflict management, and team motivation.
Everything DiSC on Catalyst and Worksmart offer invaluable resources for managers who want to create a more effective, cohesive, and high-performing team. By integrating these tools into your leadership strategy, you’ll unlock new opportunities for growth, communication, and collaboration.
Ready to enhance your leadership skills and elevate your team’s performance? Learn more about Everything DiSC on Catalyst and Worksmart today
SPECIAL OFFER: Get 50% OFF Worksmart through July 31, 2025!
Don’t miss the chance to equip your leadership team with essential skills for today’s workplace AND the future of work!
START HERE: https://www.powersresourcecenter.com/worksmart
