Adapt your feedback

The DiSC model – and its concept of the 4 communication styles – can help us adapt feedback to different listeners’ communication needs.

In our workshops, we use this graphic to help people understand how the different styles may prefer to receive feedback.

Direct Style communicators will probably want you to say it straight, just be prepared for pushback. You can get farther by helping them maintain a sense of control in the situation. Want to influence them? Explain the impact on results of your ideas.

Influence Style communicators might prefer that you’re personable, framing the message in the positive, and fitting in praise, just be prepared for them to gloss it over or brush it aside. Focus on their accomplishments and how your idea will affect or help people.

Steady Style communicators may benefit from slowing things down, being sincere, and building rapport, just be prepared for sensitivity. It can help to frame feedback with how your idea will affect team harmony or feelings, and to explain things carefully.

Conscientious Style communicators will often prefer that you’re logical and factual rather than emotional, just be prepared to answer a lot of questions. It can help to show how your points impact process, efficiency, or process, and to provide details, examples, and data.

Know your audience, and adapt to their needs when delivering feedback.