Customizing Employee Training Programs Based on DISC Results
At The Guru Agency, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter training. Every employee brings a unique personality, communication style, and learning preference to the table. That’s why using DISC assessment results to tailor employee training programs isn’t just smart—it’s essential.
DISC isn’t just about labeling people. It’s about understanding how they operate, communicate, and grow. When we use that understanding to shape development experiences, we create training that sticks, boosts engagement, and makes your team stronger.
Why DISC Should Guide Your Training Approach
Let’s face it—traditional training programs often miss the mark because they’re built for the “average” employee (who doesn’t really exist). DISC gives you insight into how individuals prefer to receive information, collaborate, and respond to challenges. With that info, you can:
- Improve retention of training content
- Reduce resistance to new skills or systems
- Boost team alignment through better self-awareness
- Speed up learning curves by matching the method to the learner
So, how do we apply DISC to training? Let’s break it down.
Training the Four DISC Types
Dominance (D)
These are your go-getters. They want to get to the point and move fast.
- Best Training Format: Action-based workshops, competitive simulations, or case studies
- Trainer Tip: Skip the fluff. Focus on outcomes, decision-making, and real-world application.
- Watch Out: They may get impatient during long explanations or group discussions that feel too slow.
Influence (I)
Social, energetic, and highly verbal. They thrive when the energy’s high and there’s room for creativity.
- Best Training Format: Group activities, role-play, open discussions
- Trainer Tip: Make it fun and collaborative. Give recognition and feedback often.
- Watch Out: They may struggle with highly technical or detail-heavy content. Keep it light and interactive.
Steadiness (S)
These folks value consistency, support, and time to process new information.
- Best Training Format: Step-by-step guides, peer mentoring, one-on-one coaching
- Trainer Tip: Give them time to absorb. Offer reassurance and support throughout.
- Watch Out: Too much change at once can overwhelm them. Ease into new systems or routines.
Conscientiousness (C)
Analytical and detail-focused. They love structure and data, and they want to know the “why” behind everything.
- Best Training Format: Detailed manuals, eLearning modules, process charts
- Trainer Tip: Be precise. Back up ideas with data. Allow time for questions and deep dives.
- Watch Out: They may overanalyze or get stuck in perfectionism. Encourage progress over perfection.
How to Design a DISC-Based Training Program
Here’s how we do it at The Guru Agency:
- Start with Assessment: Make DISC part of onboarding or use it to reassess periodically. It’s a great tool to understand where someone is coming from.
- Group by Learning Style When Possible: For workshops, try grouping similar styles or intentionally mixing groups depending on your goals (e.g., collaboration vs. focused execution).
- Offer Multiple Formats: Instead of just one method, offer options—videos, PDFs, coaching sessions, simulations. Let people choose their learning path.
- Use DISC to Train the Trainers: Your trainers should know how to recognize and respond to each style. One-size-fits-all facilitation doesn’t work anymore.
- Measure Engagement, Not Just Completion: Just because someone finishes a module doesn’t mean it landed. Get feedback, watch behavior change, and adjust accordingly.
The Bottom Line
If you want your people to grow from training, you need to meet them where they are. DISC gives you the map. At The Guru Agency, we believe real development happens when training stops being generic and starts being personal. Your team deserves that—and your business will thrive because of it.
Want help building DISC-powered training programs? Let’s talk. We’ll help you create something that clicks with every type on your team.