Creating a Great Project Team Using DISC Profiling

" Effective teamwork begins and ends with communication"

Mike Krzyzewski

In the world of change management and project delivery, success hinges on more than strategy and timelines - it's about people. Ever wondered why some project teams click like a well-oiled machine while others feel like herding kittens?

The answer can often lie in understanding personalities—and that’s where DISC profiling comes in. This powerful tool helps project managers and sponsors build cohesive, high-performing teams by understanding individual communication styles and preferences.

Let's take a look at what DISC is and how it can transform your next project.

What is DISC Profiling?

Disc profiling is a behavioural assessment and can be used in project management to identify which of the four key communication types your team favours.

The four types are:

D for Dominance - Goal-oriented, decisive and driven by results.

I for Influence - Outgoing, enthusiastic and skilled at stakeholder engagement.

S for Steadiness - Reliable, supportive and focused on team harmony.

C for Conscientiousness - Analytical, detail-focused and committed to quality.

Whilst everyone will have a preference for a particular type, each project team member has a unique blend of all of these traits. DISC helps project managers and their teams understand how individuals prefer to work, communicate and contribute to team success.

How DISC Helps Build a Great Project Team.

1. DISC helps project team members understand how they like to communicate and how that differs from their colleagues, who may have a different preference. For example:

   
   

   • Someone with a high D preference might want quick bullet points.

   • Someone with a high S might prefer a collaborative discussion.

     
     

Understanding this at the start of your project reduces misunderstandings and can help improve collaboration. It gives your team a common language and the ability to tailor their communication style to get the best from whoever they are working with.

2. Knowing your team's style can help you allocate project roles that match their individual strengths:

   
   

   • D type communicators make great project leads and decision makers.

   • I type communicators are the masters of stakeholder engagement and creative problem solving.

   • S type communications are ideal at building team cohesion and supporting the team to succeed.

   • C type communicators excel at quality control, process and data analysis.

   
   

3. Conflict Prevention

   
   

   Understanding DISC early in your project will prevent miscommunication and the chaos and conflict that it causes.

   
   

   • An enthusiastic yet slightly disorganised I may frustrate a highly process-driven driven C.

   • A high D in full-on on crisis management mode might not realise they are frightening the more cautious C.

     

     
     

   All this frustration during the initial phase of your project can make it much more painful than it needs to be. DISC helps you, as the project manager or sponsor, identify potential personality clashes early and mediate more effectively.

   
   

4. Creates an engaged and motivated team.

   
   

   When your project team feels listened to and, more importantly, heard, they are more engaged and likely to go the extra mile when the project gets tough.

   
   

Imagine a project team where:

• D: Drives the project forward.

• I: Keeps the energy high and stakeholders happy.

• S: Ensures the team stays cohesive and supported.

• C: Catches the details others miss.

  
  

That’s not just a team—it’s a super team.

Final Thoughts

DISC profiling isn't about labelling people, it's about improving team understanding and unlocking potential. When you manage projects and change, DISC profiling is a game-changing tool that enhances team dynamics, improves performance and drives successful project outcomes.

Next time you're building a project team, don't just look at skills - look at communication styles too, using DISC you're not just managing change, you're leading it.

Contact us to discuss using DISC in your project kick-off meeting or as a stand-alone tool; it costs just £99+VAT per person and can transform you and your teams' communication, setting you up for success!