Anyone who’s ever worked in hospitality knows; a great service isn’t just about the food. It’s about how the whole team moves together: the kitchen, the bar, and the floor, all comfortably in the same rhythm. When communication flows, everything works. When it doesn’t, service can feel like chaos and stress levels can run high.

That’s where DISC personality profiling comes in — a simple but powerful way to understand how people think, act and interact under pressure (and let’s face it, restaurants tend to run under pressure).

So, what exactly is DISC?

DISC is a behavioural profiling tool that helps identify four main communication and working styles:

• D – Dominance: Fast-paced, decisive, loves a challenge. Think of your head chef or that manager who gets things done, no fuss.
• I – Influence: Energetic, sociable, great with people. Often your natural hosts or front-of-house stars who bring warmth to every table.
• S – Steadiness: Calm, reliable, and team-oriented. The people who quietly keep everything ticking when things get hectic.
• C – Conscientiousness: Detail-focused, precise, and methodical. Perfect for the chefs who measure twice and plate perfectly every time.

Everyone’s a mix of these traits, but we tend to have one or two dominant styles that shape how we communicate, make decisions, and respond to stress.

Why it matters in restaurants

In a busy restaurant environment, misunderstandings aren’t just inconvenient, they can make or break a shift. DISC helps shine a light on why and how communication breaks down and it shows us how we can fix it.

For example:

• Your Dominant chef may come across as abrupt, but they’re probably just focused on speed and results.
• Your Influential server might seem chatty or distracted, but they’re actually connecting with customers and boosting the vibe.
• Your Steady kitchen porter thrives on routine — sudden changes can throw them off.
• Your Conscientious supervisor may get frustrated when others “wing it” — they like to do things correctly.

Once you understand these differences, everything changes. Instead of clashing, you start appreciating what each style brings. You learn how to adapt — speak more directly with a D, slow things down for an S, show data to a C, and demonstrate enthusiasm to an I.

The benefits for your team

Here’s what happens when a restaurant embraces DISC:

✅ Smoother communication – fewer misunderstandings between front and back of house.
✅ More empathy under pressure – knowing why someone reacts the way they do helps you stay calm and professional.
✅ Better leadership – managers can tailor their approach to motivate each individual.
✅ Higher morale and lower turnover – people feel understood and valued.
✅ Improved guest experience – when your team’s in sync, guests feel it.

A stronger service culture

DISC isn’t about labels or tests, it’s about awareness. It gives teams a shared language to talk about differences constructively. It helps turn frustration into collaboration.

And when a restaurant team learns to communicate well — really well — it doesn’t just make service easier, it creates that magic that guests remember: the feeling that everyone is in the right place, doing what they love, and working as one.

How I can help

I use DISC profiling as part of my coaching and team development sessions for hospitality teams. Whether it’s improving front and back of house communication, building confidence in leadership, or creating a calmer, more connected culture, DISC helps your people understand themselves and each other — and that’s where real team-work begins.

If you’d like to bring DISC into your restaurant or hospitality business, I’d love to help you make it happen. Contact me, Isobel on: 07973 133915 or email me at thecutleryclub@gmail.com