Make Meetings Matter: A DiSC-Informed Approach
The Definitive Guide to What Meetings Should Be
We’ve all been there—another meeting that could’ve been an email. But what if we could plan meetings that are actually useful, and even energizing?
At ATD25 – the annual national conference of the Association for Talent Development – productivity expert Brian Nelson-Palmer shared a provocative statement:
“One-way communication is not worth a meeting.”
That stuck with me.
It’s a point that is clearly true but often overlooked. As a certified Everything DiSC facilitator, I spend a lot of time helping teams improve their communication. Surely, teams could benefit from looking at Nelson-Palmer’s model for effective meetings…through the lens of DiSC.
So let’s break down how we can rethink meetings using two powerful tools:
- The TAPP + TRAIN framework from Brian Nelson-Palmer to keep meetings on track and purposeful
- The DISC personality model to make the most of the time we do spend together
When Should You Have A Meeting?
Meetings do have their place. Consider calling a meeting when:
- You need someone to say “yes.” Did you know face-to-face requests are up to 34 times more likely to get a yes?
- There’s confusion or misalignment that messaging can’t resolve.
- You need fast feedback.
- It’s not appropriate to record the conversation.
- You genuinely need collaboration or brainstorming—and everyone is encouraged to contribute.
But beware of the traps:
- Don’t use meetings for one-way communication.
- Don’t schedule one just to tack on 10 minutes of team building. (Team building is great! But do that separately.)
Making Every Minute Count
This is the simple yet powerful acronym for meeting effectiveness:
TAPP
- Time: Start and end on time. Don’t restart for latecomers.
- Agenda: Send it out in advance.
- Preparation: What do attendees need to know/do/bring
- Purpose: Why are we here? A good test—can you finish this sentence: “This meeting will be a success if…”
The model recommends teams resolve to add “TAPP” to every calendar invite and stick to it. In addition, he suggests ending every meeting by “riding the TRAIN,” the second part of his meeting framework.
Riding the TRAIN
Skip the vague “Any questions?” Instead, close each meeting with:
- Thanks: Recognize contributions and specifics.
- Review: Recap decisions made.
- Action Items: Assign owners to tasks.
- Issues: What’s been tabled for next time?
- Next Meeting: Set expectations now.
Add DiSC to the Mix: Know Your People, Use Time Better
Now, here’s how DiSC can guide how we spend our time during a meeting. Each DiSC type prefers meetings be spent in a slightly different way:
D (Dominance) – Decisions, results, clarity.
Keep it focused, fast-paced, outcome-driven. Don’t linger on small talk.
i (Influence) – Collaboration, energy, people time
Allow space for idea sharing and enthusiasm. Use visuals and interaction. Build in time for connection.
S (Steadiness) – Consistency, respect, harmony
Stick to the agenda. Create space for quiet voices to share. Avoid rushing. Allow for reflection.
C (Conscientiousness) – Data, logic, thoroughness
Provide background ahead of time. Leave room for clarifying questions. Allow for preparation and reflection.
For teams with a mix of styles, a good strategy could be to start with a brief check-in (I/S), get to decisions quickly (D), and end with documentation and follow-up (C).
DiSC and TAPP
At ATD25, I realized that the TAPP model lends itself well to DiSC. Each simple acronym appeals to Priorities of all four DiSC styles. Perhaps that explains why these two models are so effective for meeting planning.
T – Time.
The meeting start and end time are firmly established and it will not start over for latecomers. This is especially important for i-styles, who tend to bring the Enthusiasm to the meeting, but are farthest from the Accuracy priority on the DiSC map (and therefore may be more likely to be late).
A – Agenda.
The S and C styles appreciate knowing the plan ahead of time, which provides a sense of Stability.
P – Preparation.
C styles particularly appreciate knowing exactly what they need to do and bring to prepare, assuring Accuracy.
P – Purpose.
D styles are Results-driven in their behavior, so sharing the planned outcome of the meeting is essential.
DiSC and TRAIN
The TRAIN acronym for closing meetings also ties in well to Priorities of each style:
T – Thanks.
i styles are highly motivated by encouragement and recognition. S styles also appreciate a thank-you for being reliable and supporting their team.
R – Review/Recap.
S and C styles need the chance to think before responding, so this recap offers the opportunity to revisit earlier topics. A recap also appeals to S and C styles’ desire for order and predictability.
A – Action Item Assignment.
All styles need to know their roles. D styles in particular are focused on Results and want to know that their next steps are clear.
I – Issues for next time.
S and C styles appreciate knowing what to expect next time and feeling prepared.
N – Next Meeting.
D and i styles will need to satisfy their Action Priority by putting that next meeting on their calendar, while S and C styles appreciate being able to plan for it.
DiSC Meeting Agenda Template
Here’s an integrated meeting plan using TAPP, TRAIN, and consideration for each DiSC style:
| Time | Topic | Format | DISC Style Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prior to Meeting | Use TAPP to prepare | Calendar invitation | Supports all styles, but especially (D) Purpose (i) Time (S, C) Agenda, Preparation |
| 10 min | Welcome and check-in | Quick personal round | (i, S) connection matters |
| 10 min | Purpose and agenda overview | Presentation | (D, C) set expectations |
| 15 min | Updates or progress review | Brief reports | (S, C) detail and structure |
| 15 min | Decision or discussion point | Open dialogue or brainstorming | (D, i) drive outcomes and encourage contributions |
| 10 min | Clarifications and final input | Q&A, whiteboard, doc review | (S, C) reflection and precision |
| 5 min | Wrap-up (TRAIN) | Summary | Supports all styles: (i, S) Thanks (S, C) Review and Recap (All Styles) Action Item assignment (S, C) Issues for next time (All Styles) Next Meeting |
Alternatives to Meetings (When You Just Don’t Need One)
Asynchronous tools are usually more productive because they’re less disruptive. Consider alternatives like the following:
- Slack or Teams posts
- Polls or forms
- Shared docs or whiteboards
- Emails with clear asks
- Recorded video/audio updates
- Training portals or LMS posts
Final Takeaway: Use Meetings Intentionally
If you’re hosting a meeting and most people are on mute, it probably shouldn’t be a meeting.
Use DiSC to tailor your agenda to the participants. Use TAPP to plan smarter. Close with TRAIN to make sure every meeting ends with clarity—not chaos.
Meetings should matter, and with a structured approach based on these effective models, they can!
