Ever heard the joke about the driver who thought everyone else was going the wrong way? It’s a classic example of how we often see others as the problem—just like in meetings. This old Norwegian joke is often told by Thomas Erikson, a behavioural scientist, leadership coach, and author of Surrounded by Idiots.
The DISC model, developed by psychologist W.M. Marston, categorizes personalities into four types, each represented by a color
- 🔴 Dominance(D) goals, results, directness
- 🟡 Influence(I) interaction, enthusiasm, visibility
- 🟢 Steadiness(S) cooperation, calmness, consistency
- 🔵 Consciousness(C) quality, logic, precision
According to Erikson, only 5% of people are purely one color, but a mix of different traits. That’s exactly why meetings can feel easy at times and surprisingly heavy at others—different situations bring out different sides.
And when we step into a meeting room, our personalities come with us. Understanding these dynamics can
- help us communicate better
- reduce unnecessary friction
- make decisions more efficiently
- and make better use of a team’s strengths.
1. The Reds “Let’s get to the point and make a decision” 🔴
Red values speed, clarity, and results. They’re often the person who moves things forward, makes decisions, and asks the question others have been turning over in their minds: “What’s the next step?”
Strengths
- quick decision-making and prioritization
- direct communication that clarifies unclear issues
- ability to stay focused on goals and timelines
What it can sometimes trip over
- may seem rushed or impatient if the discussion is long or meandering
- might overlook details if they slow down progress
- can get frustrated if the meeting has no clear purpose
How to bring out red’s best
With a red style, it helps to start the meeting with a clear objective and state directly what decision needs to be made. Keep the discussion tight and highlight next steps so action can begin. If you need red’s commitment, ask them directly what they see as most important right now and how they would proceed.
2. The Yellow “Great idea—and what if we did it like this too?” 🟡
Yellow talks. They also brings energy, creativity, and the courage to think big. They often inspire others, offer new angles, and make the discussion lively. With yellow in the room, new solutions and opportunities can emerge quickly.
Strengths
- lots of ideas and an ability to see possibilities
- contagious enthusiasm
- communication and boosting team spirit
What it can sometimes trip over
- the conversation can scatter if structure isn’t maintained
- may jump quickly from topic to topic
- excitement can lead to too many promises unless responsibilities and timelines are agreed
How to bring out yellow’s best
With yellow, it works well to first give room for brainstorming and enthusiasm, then guide the conversation toward decisions. When yellow brings many ideas, write them down where everyone can see them and immediately agree which ones will move forward and who does what. If the discussion starts to sprawl, bring the focus back kindly: we can return to that later, but let’s decide this point now.
3. The Green- “I hear what you say” 🟢
The Greens are great listeners, laid back and supportive. Green brings calm, psychological safety, and cooperation into the meeting. They’re often the one who truly listens, notices people, and makes sure the way of working feels fair. Green is often the “glue” of a team—without them, team spirit and trust can quietly weaken.
Strengths
- listens carefully and senses the atmosphere
- builds shared understanding and trust
- supports and encourages others, helps collaboration
What it can sometimes trip over
- may avoid conflict and leave an important viewpoint unsaid
- can fade into the background if louder voices take up space
- rapid changes can feel burdensome
How to bring out green’s best
Green’s strengths show up when you create a safe atmosphere and allow space for calm discussion. Invite green in gently but clearly by asking for their perspective directly, so their thoughts don’t stay unspoken. It also helps to share the topic or agenda in advance so they have time to prepare and participating feels easier.
4. The Blues – “Yes, but… Let’s double-check that this will really work” 🔵
Blue is a friend of quality and logic. They listen, analyze, ask clarifying questions, and spot risks before they turn into problems. Blue adds confidence to meetings: when things have been thought through with blue, they usually hold up better in execution.
Strengths
- precision, structure, and identifying risks
- well-reasoned decision-making: the “why” and “how” are considered
- clarifying processes and quality criteria
What it can sometimes trip over
- may sound critical even when the goal is to ensure success
- might need more time to process information
- can get stuck in details if the big picture isn’t clear
How to bring out blue’s best
You get the most from blue by sharing background information and any relevant data in advance, so they can organize their thinking calmly. In the meeting, ask directly what risks they see and how to minimize them—this turns their thoroughness into a strength for the whole team. It also helps to say the overall frame out loud: the goal is X—and the details support it—so blue can connect the specifics to the bigger picture.
How does understanding personality types help me?
Once you recognize these personality types, you can use this knowledge to improve your meetings:
- Know your own personality type – Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
- Adapt to others – Adjust your communication style based on who you’re working with.
- Appreciate the differences – Different personalities bring different strengths to the table.
For example:
- Instead of getting frustrated by your Blue colleague’s attention to detail, take a breath and appreciate their precision. Without them, crucial details might go unnoticed. Precision may not be your
strength, but it’s theirs—use it to your team’s advantage. - Help your Yellow colleague stay focused, and embrace their enthusiasm. If they can speak up so easily, why not try it yourself?
- Admire the Reds for their confidence and drive. They are direct, action-oriented, and always pushing forward. Don’t take their bluntness personally—match their pace and they’ll respect the effort.
- Encourage the Greens to share their thoughts and challenge themselves. They may be hesitant to speak up, but their input is valuable. In return, you can learn empathy, patience, and how to build stronger workplace relationships.
Meetings work best when all personality types complement each other. The Yellows bring ideas, the Reds push action, the Greens ensure harmony, and the Blues make sure nothing is overlooked.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Differences!
Next time you’re in a meeting, take a moment to observe how different personalities interact. Instead of getting frustrated, adapt and work with their strengths. After all, if everyone thought the same way, nothing new would ever happen!
And voilà! The perfect group dynamic!
Read how AI can make meetings more productive