Let’s face it, working with people can be hard at times. Not because people mean to be difficult or teams want to be dysfunctional. It’s because every single person communicates differently.

Some people are brief and direct; others want lots of context. Some process verbally, while others want silence.  Some want all the details; others want a quick summary. Some move quickly and make fast decisions, while others prefer more time to think and weigh before responding.

If we’re not careful, those differences can create frustration – not only in ourselves but also for the team.

After joining our team here at Meridian, I quickly realized everyone had very different communication styles.

This became especially noticeable to me with some really long emails. You know the kind… where you open it and immediately realize this is going to require your full attention, a beverage, and possibly a snack.

I’m the get-to-the-point kind of gal, brevity is better! So internally, I found myself wondering: Why does this need SO much explanation?

Then something amazing happened that completely shifted my perspective. As a team, we completed DiSC® profiles… and after the comparison report came in and we discussed it as a team, a lightbulb came on and suddenly… everything started making sense!

One of the biggest things DiSC® taught me is this:

People are not trying to be difficult. They’re communicating through the lens of how they naturally process information, solve problems, reduce stress, and create a sense of safety for themselves.

Communication isn’t just about personality. It’s connected to nervous system regulation: years of stress patterns and learned ways of creating safety & stability. So, once we reviewed our communication patterns using the DiSC® profile, I gained far more patience and compassion for each team member.

That realization changed everything for me!

What I once viewed as the longest, deepest explanations ever became thoughtful concern that I learned to appreciate rather than get annoyed by.

Instead of seeing someone as “overexplaining,” I understood that communication style was someone who genuinely cared about clarity, details, and making sure things were fully understood.

Instead of taking communication styles personally, I started understanding them. I had:

Which, in my opinion, are some of the strongest examples of effective team dynamics.

Here’s what many teams misunderstand: Everyone experiences communication differently! Remember what I said about the nervous system regulation?

Some people feel safe when things are fast and decisive. Others feel safe when things are thoughtful and detailed.

Some people communicate externally while processing. (Wow, drive me bonkers! Lol – but now I’m more patient – and even I do it sometimes) Others process internally before speaking.

There is no wrong style. But when teams don’t understand these differences, communication can quickly become emotional, and we know what that looks like… insecurities can rise and inaccurate assumptions can get made:

Most of these situations are simply different nervous system habits trying to work together. This is why team communication matters so much.

One of the best examples of effective team dynamics is when people stop assuming negative intent and start becoming curious about how others naturally operate.

That shift alone can dramatically improve effective communication in the workplace.

What made DiSC® so valuable was that it gave us language for understanding each other better.

It helped me (and others) recognize:

That awareness is GOLDEN for effective communication and healthy team dynamics in the workplace. It’s like getting the golden ticket for the visit to the Willie Wonka factory! (Yes, I love chocolate! Haha)

All jokes aside, I learned who I could be very direct with, who appreciates more explanation, who naturally is good with details I might overlook, and perhaps most importantly… I started seeing differences as strengths.

That’s one of the most powerful examples of effective team dynamics your team create. Once you understand your team better, you communicate more effectively with each person.

Having a strong team that has healthy communication is productivity at its best!

In family businesses, communication becomes even more layered. You’re not only dealing with communication styles… you’re also dealing with:

This means misunderstandings can become deeply personal very quickly.

I can attest to this all too well, because even when we know the skills, it doesn’t mean we always apply them perfectly in the heat of a moment! And fortunately, we can forgive quickly too! It was only days ago where I heard, “James, brother of Jesus in the Bible, says controlling the tongue (our words) is the hardest thing of all. I forgive you.”

A founder may communicate with urgency because they carry enormous responsibility. A next-generation leader, like myself, may communicate carefully because they’re trying to avoid mistakes or preserve relationships. Neither is wrong.

Without understanding communication styles, teams often misread one another. That’s why effective communication in the workplace is so important inside family businesses specifically.

Communication team building activities can be incredibly valuable when they are able to create long-term awareness instead of temporary motivation.

Some people dismiss communication/personality tools as fluff. I completely disagree. In my experience, DiSC® is one of the strongest productivity tools a team can use.

Poor communication wastes an incredible amount of time.

It creates:

And we all know time is money! Effective communication in the workplace directly impacts productivity, trust, leadership, performance and profit.

When communication improves, teams function better. That’s why I now view DiSC® as far more than a ‘communication/personality assessment.’ I see DiSC® training as one of the most practical (and potentially most profitable) communication team building activities a business can invest in.

One of the greatest things DiSC® taught me was this: What once annoyed me became something I genuinely appreciated, and that changed the way I work with people.

Instead of immediately judging communication styles, I became curious about them. That curiosity has improved my ability to understand others and ultimately create more effective communication in the workplace overall.

While DiSC® won’t eliminate every communication challenge, it can dramatically improve understanding, patience, and effective communication in the workplace.

The more I remember that people aren’t trying to be difficult, they’re simply communicating differently… the better off our entire team is.

The great news is, Meridian provides full DiSC® profiles designed to strengthen team communication, enhance leadership understanding, and create lasting healthier workplace dynamics.

If your team sometimes struggles with misunderstandings, communication tension, or pent-up annoyance from different working styles, DiSC® and Meridian’s guidance will provide incredible clarity.