I'm sure you are well in to your Fall and next year planning, I wanted to share with you some thoughts on DISC.
When you’re leading or coaching a team, you know that talent alone isn’t enough. Team success often comes down to one thing—how well people work together. And when you bring together different personalities, backgrounds, and communication styles, conflict can happen. The good news? There’s a tool that can help: the DISC Assessment.
I’m always exploring ways to bridge the gap between challenges and solutions in team culture, and DISC has been one of the most effective tools I’ve seen for improving how teams communicate, collaborate, and compete.
Let’s dive into how DISC can help athletic programs not just deal with conflict—but build stronger, more connected teams because of it.
Why DISC Makes a Difference in Team Culture
For over 40 years, TTI Success Insights—my trusted partner in this work—has been one of the leaders in developing cutting-edge assessments like DISC. They were pioneers in bringing assessments online, and they continue to lead the way with research and practical application.
But let’s keep it real: all team teams (college athletics, high school and business) run into conflict. And that conflict can chip away at performance, morale, and team unity. Whether it’s personality clashes, different communication styles, or competing priorities, these issues show up all the time in sports.
The DISC assessment gives teams a way to understand those dynamics before they blow up. It builds self-awareness, sharpens communication, and strengthens relationships in and out of competition and in real life situations. And when teams get this right, the culture shifts from frustration to trust—and performance follows.
What Is DISC?
DISC breaks down behavior into four basic styles:
D – Dominance: Results-focused, direct, decisive
I – Influence: People-focused, enthusiastic, outgoing
S – Steadiness: Calm, supportive, dependable
C – Conscientiousness: Detail-oriented, analytical, careful
It’s not a box—it’s a lens. DISC helps athletes, coaches, staff and business leaders see how they show up under stress, in competition, and in conversations. And when you understand yourself, you’re better equipped to work with others.
Where Conflict Shows Up in Teams
In athletics, conflict usually shows up in a few familiar ways:
Communication breakdowns — Messages get lost or misunderstood.
Different goals — Some players might be chasing personal accolades, while others focus on team success.
Perceptions of fairness — “Why am I doing all the work?” moments.
Pressure and stress — The intensity of high school and college sports makes emotions run high.
These challenges don’t mean your team’s broken, it just means they’re human. And that’s where DISC comes in.
How DISC Can Help Teams Work Through Conflict
Here’s how DISC assessments help turn tension into teamwork:
1. Boosting Self-Awareness
When athletes know their own behavioral style, they start noticing how they might come across to teammates. That Dominant player who always takes charge? They might realize it’s coming off as bossy, not confident. That’s a game-changer in team conversations.
2. Improving Communication
Different players need different things. Some want the full breakdown of a play (C), others want a quick, energetic pep talk (I). DISC helps teammates learn to speak each other’s language—and that keeps frustration from building up.
3. Building Empathy
DISC isn’t just about you—it’s about understanding others. When players see that a quiet teammate isn’t uninterested, but thoughtful and steady (S), or that a loud teammate isn’t rude, just enthusiastic (I), walls start coming down and trust goes up.
4. Putting the Right People in the Right Roles
Coaches can use DISC to put players in roles that match their natural tendencies. The intense, driven athlete (D) might be the leader on the field, while the steady, reliable player (S) holds the team together behind the scenes. Everyone wins when people play to their strengths.
5. Navigating Conflict When It Happens
When conflicts pop up (and they will), DISC helps coaches and players get to the root of the issue quickly. It’s not just about what happened, it’s about why people reacted the way they did. That clarity leads to better resolutions.
Real Stories, Real Results
One college soccer team had two captains who kept butting heads. It wasn’t personal—they just had totally different DISC styles. One was all about action and fast decisions (D), the other wanted to think things through and keep the team steady (S). Once they understood each other’s wiring, they started complementing each other instead of competing. The team got stronger.
Another example? A basketball team with constant miscommunications on the court. After DISC assessments, players began adjusting how they talked with each other—and the teamwork noticeably improved.
How to Bring DISC to Your Program
If you’re wondering how to make this happen for your team, here’s a simple roadmap:
Take the assessment — Work with a certified DISC provider to get started.
Learn the language — Hold team workshops to break down DISC styles and how they work.
Talk about it — Create space for players and coaches to share their styles and what they need from teammates.
Keep using it — Refer back to DISC insights throughout the season to keep building a healthy team culture.
Final Thought
DISC isn’t just a one-time assessment—it’s a tool for building stronger teams, on and off the field. And in athletics and business, where relationships drive results, understanding each other’s styles can be the edge your team needs to perform at its best.
If you’re curious about how DISC could help your program or just want to chat about building better team culture, please schedule a free leadership strategy session about DISC and your team.
