Teaching with Confidence: Mastering Behavioural Styles in the Classroom

Jan 10, 2025·By Stephen Keery

As educators, we juggle establishing authority, communicating effectively, managing time, balancing workloads, and delegating tasks. If this resonates with you, don't worry. The DISA Behavioural Model can serve as your compass to navigate these challenges. Below we explore how understanding behavioural styles can help you excel in your classroom.

The Basics of DISA

The DISA Behavioural Model identifies four key behavioural styles, each represented by a colour and associated traits:

🔴 Red – Dominant: Direct, decisive, and driven.

🟡 Yellow – Influential: Social, outgoing, and enthusiastic.

🟢 Green – Steadfast: Supportive, dependable, and patient.

🔵 Blue – Analytical: Analytical, detail-oriented, and precise.

As educators we often face challenges when we overlook how our behaviour and that of our students affects classroom dynamics. DISA isn't about labelling individuals, it's about understanding behaviours to foster better communication, collaboration, and decision-making.

Establishing Authority

Authority in the classroom doesn't mean acting like the strict disciplinarian. It's about earning respect. Here's how knowing your primary DISA colour can help:

🔴 Red – Dominant educators set clear expectations and demonstrate confidence but should balance this with empathy to avoid seeming overbearing.

🟡 Yellow – Influential educators bring energy and inspiration but should stay focused and follow through.

🟢 Green – Steadfast educators build authority through trust and reliability but need to assert themselves when necessary.

🔵 Blue – Analytical educators gain respect with their expertise and precision, though they must engage with their students on a personal level.

Communicating Effectively

Communication is the cornerstone of successful teaching. The DISA model helps tailor your approach:

🔴 With Red – Dominant behaviours, keep instructions concise and results-focused.

🟡 For Yellow – Influential behaviours, inject enthusiasm and positivity into your lessons.

🟢 With Green – Steadfast behaviours, emphasise collaboration and harmony in group activities.

🔵 For Blue – Analytical behaviours, provide data, logic, and structure in your explanations.

By adapting your communication style, you'll ensure your message resonates, whether delivering feedback, explaining concepts, or motivating your students.

Managing Time and Delegating Tasks

Time management is often a sticking point for educators.
Delegation, done right, is key:

🔴 Red – Dominant behaviours prefer autonomy. Assign them challenging tasks and let them take the lead.

🟡 Yellow – Influential behaviours thrive on creative assignments and recognition, so delegate accordingly.

🟢 Green – Steadfast behaviours are dependable but may need encouragement to take on new challenges.

🔵 Blue – Analytical behaviours excel with detailed, structured tasks but might require reassurance to avoid perfectionism slowing progress.

Maintaining Positive Relationships

A harmonious classroom doesn't happen by accident. Use DISA to foster strong relationships:

🔴 Red – Dominant: Respect their need for efficiency and show appreciation for achievements.

🟡 Yellow – Influential: Engage socially and celebrate successes.

🟢 Green – Steadfast: Show gratitude for their support and create a safe environment for feedback.

🔵 Blue – Analytical: Value their precision and provide clear, logical communication.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

Remember, no one is purely one colour. We all have a mix of behaviours influenced by our environment, experiences, and even our mood on a Monday morning! As an educator, self-awareness is crucial. Reflect on your own behavioural tendencies and consider how they might impact your teaching style. Additionally, observe your students' behaviours to create a classroom where everyone feels understood and valued.

The journey to effective teaching can feel daunting, but with the DISA Behavioural Model as your guide, you can tackle challenges with confidence and composure. By understanding and adapting to different behavioural styles, you'll build stronger relationships, communicate effectively, and lead your students to success. So, grab a cuppa, reflect on your behavioural colour, and let DISA be your teaching superpower.