How to Instruct Your Team According to Their Personality

Leaders understand communication is best delivered by utilizing multiple formats and platforms, especially when transmitting any information. This guidance is imperative to ensure every member of the team can acknowledge and understand roles, responsibilities, and expectations. They also understand communication is not one-way; the process isn’t complete until feedback is received from the team, indicating they are adequately prepared to complete daily or weekly requirements. For your team to take measured actions, you must instruct them accordingly. 

Each DISC leadership style will approach instruction differently, based on their strengths:

Measured results

“D” style leaders may want to see the measured actions taken to move the business forward. They may ask their team to share a daily list of accomplishments in order to see a high-level overview of what actions are being taken. The “D” leader can then instruct accordingly. It’s not about immediate results, as it brings this style peace of mind seeing something tangible is being done every day to provide long-term results. This style can relax when they see a whole list of things being done, which doesn’t have to be super detailed, and can be confident in knowing accomplishments are being made each day.

Verbal interaction

“I” style leaders may verbally interact and engage with everyone directly to find out if they received the information needed to complete a task or project. Providing a follow-up e-mail with supporting documents and information will be helpful for others who prefer something tangible to reference following a conversation. Combining the two methods enables the “I” to validate instruction is effectively received and understood, identifies projects in motion, and allows team members to seek clarity, as needed.

Step-by-step instruction

“C” style leaders are likely to provide step-by-step e-mail instructions for team members to follow. However, they may also need to verbally follow up with the team to ensure the members understand the instructions as provided, and allow them to ask questions and seek feedback for clarity. Engaging directly with the team will help keep the “C” style informed on progress and aware of any challenges before they become potential concerns.

Multiple confirmations

“S” style leaders may seek confirmation the information they provided is clear enough to get the team working in the right direction. “S” styles most likely will use multiple avenues of communication, such as phone calls, e-mails, or virtual meetings. They will often seek feedback for assurance the team feels equipped to perform, that they have effectively instructed the team for success, and to validate tasks and projects are completed on time and to standard.

Whether your style of leadership includes instruction in the form of written detailed guidance and information, or frequent verbal interaction, it takes a team effort to accomplish the mission effectively. It is a two-way, continuous process that requires engagement from every team member to keep pushing the boulder uphill.

What accomplishments are you making together? Have you instructed your team in a way they understand?