What if the reason some conversations feel impossible has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with communication style? In this episode of Decoding Confidence, Advita Patel breaks down the DISC framework and shows how understanding your own communication style, and the styles of the people around you, can transform your confidence at work. Whether you are a communications professional managing up, an HR leader building team capability, or a confident leader trying to get your message to land, this episode gives you the tools to communicate more intentionally and lead with greater self-awareness. What You Will Learn in This Episode What the DISC framework is and where it comes from How each DISC communication style, Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness, shows up at work Why communication style mismatches are one of the biggest hidden confidence killers How to dial your style up or down depending on context, without losing authenticity Why power dynamics matter when applying the DISC framework in real organisations Practical steps to assess your own DISC profile and read others more accurately How leaders and HR professionals can use DISC to build more inclusive, confident teams Key Topics Covered The DISC Framework Explained Advita introduces the DISC model, originally developed by Dr William Moulton Marston in 1928, and popularised for modern audiences by Thomas Erikson in his bestselling book Surrounded by Idiots. DISC identifies four core communication styles: Dominance (Red), Influence (Yellow), Steadiness (Green), and Conscientiousness (Blue). Each style reflects how people prefer to communicate, process information, and respond under pressure. How DISC Styles Show Up at Work High Red energy tends to prioritise clarity, speed, and results. High Yellow energy thrives on connection, storytelling, and enthusiasm. High Green energy values trust, consistency, and deep listening. High Blue energy leads with logic, structure, and precision. Crucially, no style is better than another, and most people hold a blend of styles that shift depending on the situation. DISC, Miscommunication, and Confidence One of the most powerful ideas in this episode is the link between style mismatch and confidence loss. When communication does not land the way we intended, we tend to internalise it as personal failure. Understanding DISC gives you a different lens: what felt like rejection or resistance was often just a difference in communication preference. That reframe alone can be transformative for workplace confidence. Priya's Story: Flexing Style Without Losing Yourself Advita shares the story of Priya, a communications leader who was told she came across as overwhelming in exec meetings. Rather than shrinking or changing who she was, Priya used DISC to understand the audience in the room and adjust the order and format of her communication, leading with data before story, not instead of story. Six months later, she had her promotion. This is DISC in action: intentional adaptation, not inauthenticity. Power Dynamics and the Limits of DISC This episode does not shy away from the harder conversation. DISC is a powerful tool for building communication confidence, but it is not a solution to systemic bias or structural inequality. Advita explores how power shapes communication in organisations, and why asking marginalised groups to simply adapt their style without addressing the system itself puts the burden in the wrong place. DISC works best when leaders use it to examine their own power and create more inclusive environments, not just to coach others to conform. Practical Steps for Confident Leaders and HR Professionals Advita shares four practical actions you can take straight away: get curious about your own DISC profile, start reading the room before important conversations, use DISC to audit your empowerment decisions and spot affinity bias, and reframe difficult interactions through the lens of style difference rather than personal friction. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Decoding Confidence and the episode theme 01:09 How workplace communication frustrations quietly erode confidence 02:12 Why some conversations feel effortless and others feel impossible 02:41 How Advita discovered the DISC framework through Thomas Erikson 03:11 The origin and core principles of the DISC model 04:28 The four DISC communication styles explained 05:24 Red energy: clarity, decisiveness, results focus 05:52 Yellow energy: connection, enthusiasm, storytelling 06:35 Green energy: trust, consistency, and deep listening 07:41 Blue energy: logic, structure, and precision 08:11 Why DISC styles are adaptable, not fixed labels 09:11 The strengths and pressure points of each style 09:40 Advita's own profile: balancing influence and dominance under pressure 10:24 How DISC reduces self-blame and rebuilds communication confidence 11:40 Priya's story: navigating style mismatch to earn a promotion 13:54 How to flex your communication style without losing authenticity 15:17 Tailoring your approach to different DISC styles in real time 16:39 How power dynamics shape the way communication styles are perceived 18:48 Why DISC is a tool, not a fix for systemic bias or inequality 20:23 Practical steps for assessing your own DISC profile 21:00 Using DISC to manage and empower others more effectively 22:07 Making intentional, confidence-building communication choices 23:53 DISC as a framework for growth, not a personality box 24:20 How confidence grows through self-awareness and understanding others 25:01 Resources, further reading, and how to connect with Advita Resources and Links Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson Decoding Confidence by Advita Patel DISC Assessment CommsRebel website Connect with Advita Website: DecodingConfidence.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/advitapatel Instagram: @Decoding_Confidence Email Newsletter: Subscribe for weekly confidence tips Book: Decoding Confidence - Available at major retailers
