How DISC Helps Us Live Our Purpose and Values

Last week, our team gathered for a lunch-and-learn with Wes and Cindy Dove of Dove Development & Consulting, who led us through the DISC model of human behavior and how to apply them to our values.

What is DISC?

DISC is a behavioral assessment that categorizes personality traits into four primary styles:

• D (Dominance): Direct, decisive, and focused on results.

• I (Influence): Outgoing, enthusiastic, and focused on people.

• S (Steadiness): Patient, dependable, and focused on stability.

• C (Conscientiousness): Analytical, precise, and focused on quality.

Everyone has a blend of these traits. The goal isn’t to label people—it’s to understand what drives each of us, how we communicate best, and how we can work together more effectively.

Connecting DISC to Our Purpose

Our company’s purpose—Engineering for a Better World—includes approaching every project, conversation, and decision with care for people and place. Understanding one another’s DISC styles helps us do that by improving communication, reducing misunderstandings, and encouraging empathy.

For example, when a designer with a high “C” (Conscientious) style partners with a project manager with a high “D” (Dominant) style, they can appreciate each other’s priorities—accuracy (“C”) and efficiency (“D”)—and find a productive balance. When a team member with a strong “I” (Influence) style leads client engagement, their enthusiasm helps bring our purpose to life in relationships.

Aligning DISC with Our Values

Our company values guide how we live out our purpose each day. DISC gives us a shared language for living these values more intentionally.

• Respect grows when we recognize that people have different communication styles—and that what feels “efficient” to one person might feel “abrupt” to another.

• Integrity deepens when we take ownership of how we communicate and how our behavior affects others.

• Growth happens as we learn to stretch beyond our comfort zones to better connect with teammates and clients.

• Holistic Thinking reminds us that every interaction—like every project—has a broader impact.

• Timely Communication comes naturally when we understand how each style prefers to receive and share information.

  
  

Turning Insight into Action

As Wes and Cindy often say, “Take-Aways aren’t worth much if we never turn them into Put-in-Plays!” So here are some things we’ll aim to do, especially as we head into the new year:

• In our weekly team meetings, we’ll continue to dedicate time to discussing our values and how they look in practice—including through the lens of DISC.

• We’ll also be intentional about identifying ways we see each other living out our values. Wes and Cindy even gifted us with customized thank-you cards to get us started.

• As we interact with people, we’ll try to keep in mind the other person's personality style. For example, when interacting with someone with a “C” style, we'll remember that they appreciate details and correctness. If they're a "D" personality, we'll try to get straight to the point and focus the conversation on results and efficiency.

Why It Matters

Strong teams build strong communities. When we understand and value our differences, we can collaborate more effectively, serve our clients better, and strengthen the positive impact our projects have in the world.