DISCovering You

In this insightful continuation, host Victoria and guest Dr. Vanessa Druskat dive deeper into the dynamics of emotionally intelligent teams. They explore how constructive debate — what Vanessa calls “creative abrasion” — drives innovation, why belonging is essential for psychological safety, and how leaders can create norms that encourage open disagreement and authentic communication.

From the use of playful tools to stories of global teams transforming their culture, Vanessa shares research-backed strategies for balancing candor and connection. The episode closes with reflections on introversion, leadership, and the power of research to build teams where everyone feels included and valued.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction & Mood Check

Victoria and Heather discuss “colors of the day” and explore the word challenge as a positive motivator.

02:00 – DISC as Seasonings

A creative analogy connects DISC personality types with spices — from cayenne to turmeric — and a lighthearted discussion on pumpkin spice and cilantro follows.

05:30 – Introducing Dr. Vanessa Druskat (Part 2)

Victoria recaps feedback from Part 1 and reintroduces Dr. Druskat, setting up a conversation about constructive conflict and team culture.

06:00 – The Value of Debate in Teams

Vanessa explains how debate forces clarity, enhances thinking, and fuels innovation — what she calls creative abrasion.

08:00 – Belonging and Psychological Safety

Discussion about how fear of not belonging can silence voices, and why leaders must build inclusion for honest dialogue.

09:00 – “Whine Cards” and Norm-Support Tools

Vanessa introduces team tools to help members express disagreement safely.

11:00 – Creating Team Norms

The power of agreed-upon frameworks and shared signals (“little shaker / big shaker”) to prevent tension and ensure everyone feels heard.

12:00 – The “Hat Issue” Story

A hospital leader’s creative method for surfacing unspoken issues — using a light-up construction hat to symbolize open disagreement.

13:00 – Applying EI Models to Teams of All Sizes

Vanessa discusses how her model works with teams from 6 to 23 members, emphasizing leadership buy-in and subteam alignment.

15:00 – Handling Skepticism and Resistance

How to get reluctant teams onboard — from engaging the leader early to showing data and starting with meaningful “why now?” discussions.

16:30 – The Object Exercise

A team-building activity where members bring an object representing their ideal team; examples include a Swiss Army knife and personal trophies.

18:00 – Introversion and Observation

Vanessa shares how being an introvert sharpened her observation skills and influenced her research, challenging assumptions about introverted leaders.

19:30 – Researcher vs. Practitioner

Vanessa reflects on her dual identity as a researcher and implementer, and her mission to help teams achieve inclusion and excellence.

22:00 – Personal Experience with Teams

She recounts her most memorable experience with a Johnson & Johnson research team — a high-functioning, collaborative group that modeled her findings in action.

23:30 – Lessons from Great Teams

Vanessa ties her observations back to her book, emphasizing the importance of shared purpose, norms, and inclusion in remote and in-person settings.

24:00 – Closing Reflections

Victoria expresses gratitude and highlights the book as a comprehensive blueprint for leaders seeking to build high-performing teams.

24:30 – Credits

Produced by Twisted Spur Media Ltd.

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In this episode of Discovering You, Victoria sits down with Dr. Vanessa Druskat—award-winning researcher, professor, and co-creator of the Team Emotional Intelligence model. Known as the “Jane Goodall of Teams,” Vanessa brings decades of research and real-world experience to help leaders build collaborative, high-performing groups.

From her childhood in Kenya to her groundbreaking studies on team culture, Vanessa shares how belonging, caring, and psychological safety transform team performance. You’ll hear powerful stories—from NASA’s culture shifts to Pete Carroll’s love-based coaching—that reveal why team norms matter more than individual grit.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome back: Season 4 kicks off with summer reflections, DISC as university programs, and a new puppy named Mac.

03:30 – Meet Dr. Vanessa Druskat: Introduction to her groundbreaking research on team emotional intelligence.

06:00 – Childhood in Kenya: How early experiences with culture and code-switching shaped her research lens.

09:00 – The foundation of belonging: Why being known is essential to team success.

11:00 – Caring & respect: Pete Carroll’s “secret sauce” of love in coaching and why it isn’t soft.

15:00 – Lessons from NASA: What went wrong in the Challenger and Columbia disasters, and how team culture—not individuals—was the villain.

20:00 – Communication beyond words: MIT research on nonverbal signals and what predicts high-performing teams.

23:30 – Creative abrasion: Why constructive debate sparks clarity, innovation, and better decisions.

27:00 – Practical tools: “Wine cards,” shakers, and light-up hats to help every voice be heard.

31:30 – Team size & dynamics: How the EI model works with teams as small as 6 and as large as 23.

33:00 – Overcoming skepticism: How to win over reluctant leaders and teams.

36:00 – Introversion as a strength: Why being an observer made Vanessa the “Jane Goodall of Teams.”

39:00 – Researcher vs. implementer: Bridging the gap between theory and practice.

42:00 – Personal team experiences: Memorable lessons from research collaborations and real-world teams.

43:30 – Closing thoughts: A blueprint for building emotionally intelligent, high-performing teams.

Notable Quotes

• “It’s really impossible to belong if you don’t feel known.” – Dr. Vanessa Druskat
• “Love isn’t soft—it’s critical for high performance.” – Dr. Vanessa Druskat
• “The villain is group culture.” – Dr. Vanessa Druskat

Resources & References

• Dr. Vanessa Druskat’s book: The Emotionally Intelligent Team: Building Collaborative Groups That Outperform the Rest
• Mark Brackett – Permission to Feel and the Mood Meter framework
• Angela Duckworth – Grit
• Sandy Pentland’s MIT research on team communication

If you're interested in learning more about team building, coaching, strategic hiring and onboarding, let's connect!

[email protected]

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https://discoverwhatworks.org/

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In this episode of DISCovering You, Victoria and Heather dive into the often-overlooked low DISC factors—the behaviors and traits that fall below the midline on a DISC assessment. While most discussions focus on high DISC traits (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Compliance), Victoria explains how the low end of each scale holds just as much insight into personality, communication, and team dynamics. The conversation explores how low traits manifest differently than their high counterparts, challenging the assumption that “high is better.” Using personality models like Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies and the Enneagram, Victoria draws rich comparisons to deepen understanding. Whether you're a DISC nerd or DISC newbie, this episode will help you see yourself—and others—with more clarity and compassion.

Timestamps & Topics

[00:00:00] Welcome & Emoji Icebreaker

Victoria and Heather kick off with their current moods, a discussion about emoji use, and how emojis could represent DISC types.

[00:06:00] Introduction to Low DISC Factors

Why low scores on the DISC profile matter, and how they reveal different—but equally valid—personality tendencies.

[00:08:00] Low D

Traits: Patient, accommodating, consultative.

Comparisons: Obliger (Four Tendencies), Peacemaker (Enneagram 9).

Misconception: Low D doesn’t mean unmotivated.

[00:12:00] Low I

Traits: Analytical, decision-making based on facts, not feelings.

Comparisons: Upholder (Four Tendencies), Loyalist/Skeptic (Enneagram 6).

Misconception: Low I doesn’t mean unfriendly.

[00:14:00] Low S

Traits: Fast-paced, multitasking, comfortable with change.

Comparisons: Questioner (Four Tendencies), Enthusiast (Enneagram 7).

Bonus: A fun tap/clap pace exercise to illustrate energy differences.

[00:17:00] Low C

Traits: Risk-taking, rule-bending, freedom-focused.

Comparisons: Rebel (Four Tendencies), Challenger (Enneagram 8).

Misconception: Low C isn't careless—it’s innovative.

[00:20:00] Key Takeaways & Wrap-Up

Understanding low traits brings depth to team-building, communication, and self-awareness.

[00:21:00] Announcements & Contact Info

Info on coaching, team sessions, and the podcast’s summer break.

“We don’t improve our profiles—we lean into them, learn about them, recognize our challenges, and leverage our strengths.”

If you're interested in learning more about team building, coaching, strategic hiring and onboarding, let's connect!

[email protected]

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https://discoverwhatworks.org/

https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaDISC

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In this episode of Discovering You, host Victoria welcomes Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, senior research scientist at Yale and author of The Creativity Choice. Together, they explore the science behind creativity—dispelling myths, explaining how personality and mindset influence creative confidence, and offering strategies to overcome blocks. From the role of emotion regulation to the surprising power of frustration, Dr. Pringle shares actionable insights drawn from both research and personal experience. Listeners will walk away with a better understanding of how creativity works—and how they can cultivate it in everyday life.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and DISC “TV Dads” Analogy

02:00 – Meet Dr. Zorana IPringle and her new book

04:00 – Childhood moment that sparked her fascination with creativity

06:00 – What is creativity? The science-backed definition

07:30 – Creativity beyond the arts: Engineering, relationships, and everyday life

08:30 – The Four Cs of Creativity: Mini, Little, Pro, and Big C

09:30 – Fixed vs. Growth Mindset and their influence on creativity

11:00 – Understanding creative self-efficacy and how it evolves through a project

13:00 – How introverts and extroverts experience creative confidence differently

15:00 – The emotional rollercoaster of creative work

17:00 – Emotion regulation and how it supports creativity

19:00 – Chronotype and your creative schedule

22:30 – Redefining creative productivity: Writing vs. rewriting

24:00 – Strategies for overcoming creative blocks

27:00 – Why psychological safety fuels innovation and collaboration

29:00 – Practicing what you preach: Zorana’s personal lessons writing the book

32:00 – Final takeaway: Creativity is a long-term, recommitted choice

Key Takeaways:

• Creativity isn’t just for artists—it’s about solving problems in novel and effective ways, whether in business, relationships, or daily life.
• Creative confidence (self-efficacy) grows over time and doesn’t require being doubt-free.
• Mindset matters: Believing creativity can be developed helps unlock it.
• Emotions, even negative ones, can fuel innovation if understood and regulated well.
• Psychological safety is crucial for team creativity—it enables risk-taking without fear of punishment.
• There is no one-size-fits-all approach to being productive—know your chronotype and lean into your unique rhythm.

Notable Quote:

"Creativity is a choice. Not an easy one, but one you can recommit to—again and again—as you navigate the ups and downs of turning ideas into action."

Learn More: https://www.zorana-ivcevic-pringle.com/

If you're interested in learning more about team building, coaching, strategic hiring and onboarding, let's connect!

[email protected]

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In this powerful second installment, Victoria peels back more layers of the Myers Briggs personality framework. This episode takes us to the next level with Myers Briggs. With humour, heart, and honesty, Victoria and Heather also reveal their own results (spoiler alert: one of them is among the rarest types in the world) and explore how their personality insights influence how they show up in work and life. Whether you're a coach, a team leader, or someone seeking more self-awareness, this episode offers both relatable stories and practical frameworks.

Timestamps

00:00 – How are we feeling?

03:00 – DISC personalities as fictional TV moms

05:00 – Myers Briggs recap: what the 4-letter codes mean

06:30 – Breakdown of the 4 MBTI groups: Analysts, Diplomats, Sentinels, Explorers

07:10 – Deep dive into “Commanders” (ENTJ): bold leaders, Gordon Ramsay energy

08:30 – Deep dive into “Advocates” (INFJ): rare visionaries, empathetic justice-seekers

10:00 – Deep dive into “Logisticians” (ISTJ): structured, dependable, Hermione types

11:50 – Deep dive into “Entrepreneurs” (ESTP): rule-breakers, action-takers

13:00 – Heather and Victoria reveal their own types: ISTJ and INFJ

16:30 – How personality shows up in stress, reliability, and empathy

20:00 – Emotional insight: balancing structure with compassion

22:00 – How knowing your type helps with leadership, boundaries, and burnout

23:00 – Free resource: Find your type at 16personalities.com

24:00 – Closing thoughts + how to work with Victoria

Notable Quotes

"I don't consider myself great at anything, but I do consider myself reliable, trustworthy, and dependable." – Heather

"Sometimes I feel like you're hard on yourself… but your unwavering commitment is your superpower." – Victoria

"If I see a situation where someone is unfairly judged, it really wears on me. That sense of justice is wired in me." – Victoria

"We're growing as people." – Both hosts, in unison ❤️

Resources & Takeaways

• Take the Test: 16Personalities.com – Discover your Myers-Briggs type
• Reflection Prompt: What part of your personality shows up strongest under stress?

If you're interested in learning more about team building, coaching, strategic hiring and onboarding, let's connect!

[email protected]

https://pod.link/1614071253

https://discoverwhatworks.org/

https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaDISC

https://www.instagram.com/discoverwhatworks/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/discoverwhatworks

In this highly anticipated episode of DISCovering You, Victoria explores Myers-Briggs! Kicking things off with a clever twist—comparing DISC as manicure styles. From there, she unpacks the origins of MBTI, how it compares to DISC, and what those mysterious four letters actually mean. With warmth, wit, and real-life stories, Victoria walks us through key parts of the MBTI test and reflect on what it reveals about our personalities. Plus, Victoria and Heather make bold predictions about each other’s MBTI types — to be revealed in Part 2!

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome and emotional check-in

02:45 – DISC types as manicure styles!

04:00 – DISC vs. Myers-Briggs: Key distinction

05:00 – Brief history of MBTI and how it works

06:00 – The four MBTI dimensions explained (Energy, Mind, Nature, Tactics)

08:30 – 5 Sample MBTI questions + Victoria & Heather's responses

14:45 – Introduction to MBTI’s 4 personality groups

15:30 – How MBTI categories align with DISC profiles

18:00 – Predicting each other's Myers-Briggs types

21:15 – Call to action: Guess their types before Part 2!

22:00 – How to work with Victoria

Notable Quotes:

"Everything is about DISC, Heather. Come on." – Victoria

Resources Mentioned:

• 📘 The Personality Brokers – Book on the history of Myers-Briggs
• 🔗 16Personalities.com – Free MBTI test
• 🎧 Episode 4 – Reframing Introversion https://pod.link/1614071253/episode/c6b1eb316c9b53c458f7f18df09cf01a
• 📧 Connect with Victoria for coaching or speaking: [email protected]

In this episode, Victoria takes a deep dive into The Growth Zone. Along the way, Victoria has a spontaneous on-the-fly moment, connecting DISC factors to the four common responses to perceived threats: Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn—a completely unscripted insight!

The conversation also ties into Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset (See Episode 9). The episode is packed with psychological insights, personal stories, and practical strategies to help listeners take small, meaningful steps toward growth.

Did you watch the Oscars on Sunday? You know what’s coming…here’s DISC as Academy Awards.

High D – The Substance. Intense, controversial

High I – Wicked. Fun, emotional

High S – I’m Still Here. Themes of persistence and family

High C – Conclave. Themes of tradition and order

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] - Podcast intro and mood check-in

[00:01:32] - DISC as Academy Awards

[00:01:53] - Introduction to the Growth Zone concept

[00:02:57] - Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses

[00:05:00] - The four zones: comfort, fear, learning, and growth

[00:06:09] - Self-awareness and leaving your comfort zone

[00:07:39] - Benefits of leaving your comfort zone

[00:07:51] - Self-actualization

[00:08:22] - Growth mindset

[00:10:33] - Resilience

[00:11:00] - Self-efficacy

[00:12:24] - Tips for reaching the growth zone

[00:12:30] - Reframing stress

[00:17:27] - Personal examples and reflections

[00:21:00] – Outro

Poll: What’s one small step you can take today to move out of your Comfort Zone and into Growth?

If you're interested in learning more about team building, coaching, strategic hiring and onboarding, let's connect!

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In this episode, Victoria explores the concept of happiness through the lens of psychology and personality. She discusses the PERMA model of wellbeing developed by Martin Seligman, breaks down different psychological theories of happiness, and shares a happiness assessment based on Seligman's work.

• DISC analogy comparing personality styles to sports
• Three psychological approaches to studying happiness
• The PERMA model components: Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishments
• Practical strategies for increasing happiness in each PERMA area
• Discussion of a happiness assessment with average scores and interpretations

• Oxford Happiness Questionnaire by Argyle and Hills
• PERMA model happiness assessment https://www.purposeplus.com/survey/perma-profiler/
• Martin Seligman's work on positive psychology
• How We Feel app for tracking emotions

[00:00:00] - Show introduction and mood check-in with hosts

[00:03:00] - DISC analogy: Comparing personality styles to sports

• Football (High D): Direct contact, aggressive
• F1 Racing (High I): Glamorous and thrilling
• Rowing (High S): Steady teamwork
• Tennis (High C): Individual focus, rule-bound

[00:04:00] - Introduction to happiness assessments

• Oxford Happiness Questionnaire overview
• PERMA-based assessment introduction

[00:08:00] - Three schools of thought on happiness

• Need and goal satisfaction theories
• Genetic and personality predisposition
• Process activity theories

[00:10:00] - Introduction to PERMA model and flourishing

• Overview of positive psychology
• Explanation of PERMA components

[00:12:00] - Detailed discussion of Positive emotion

• Ways to build positive emotions
• Importance of gratitude practice

[00:13:00] - Exploration of Engagement

• Flow state concept
• Connection to strengths and work alignment

[00:16:00] - Discussion of Relationships

• Importance of positive social connections
• Strategies for building relationships

[00:18:00] - Coverage of Meaning

• Purpose in life
• Ways to build meaning

[00:19:00] - Examination of Accomplishments

• Internal vs external motivation
• SMART goal setting

[00:20:00] - Discussion of assessment scores

• Average score explanation (6.8)
• Hosts' scores and interpretation

[00:24:00] - Show conclusion and contact information

If you're interested in learning more about team building, coaching, strategic hiring and onboarding, let's connect!

[email protected]

https://pod.link/1614071253

https://discoverwhatworks.org/

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In this episode, Victoria explores the concept of charisma and its learnability through warmth and competence cues, as discussed by Vanessa Van Edwards. Victoria and Heather kick off the year with lively discussions about Golden Globe nominated TV characters that exemplify DISC personality traits, their own holiday experiences, and their personal charisma quiz results. The episode emphasizes the importance of balancing warmth and competence in social and professional interactions for improved communication and success.

Did you watch the Golden Globes on Sunday? Here's DISC as nominated characters:

High D - Jodie Foster as Liz Danvers in True Detective: Night Country

High I -  Kristen Bell as Joanne in Nobody Wants This

High S - Adam Brody as Noah in Nobody Wants This

High C - Steve Martin as Charles in Only Murders in the Building

Time Stamps:

00:00 Welcome and New Year Greetings

00:54 Checking In: Mood Meter

01:46 Introducing Today's Topic: Charisma

02:10 DISC Illustration with Golden Globes Nominated TV Characters

06:59 Vanessa Van Edwards and the Science of People

08:34 Understanding Charisma: Warmth and Competence

10:06 Charisma Scale and Personal Reflections

21:55 Exploring the Charisma Quadrants

27:07 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

If you're interested in learning more about team building, coaching, strategic hiring and onboarding, let's connect!

[email protected]

https://pod.link/1614071253

https://discoverwhatworks.org/

https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaDISC

https://www.instagram.com/discoverwhatworks/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/discoverwhatworks

With 2024 coming to a close, today's podcast looks at highlights from this year's episodes. I enjoyed putting this together, as it's a nice way to reflect on the past year and revisit memorable conversations and guests.

The holidays are almost here! Let's "unwrap" DISC as presents:

High D - Omega Watch: Makes a strong statement - be on time!

High I - Chocolates: A sweet, serotonin boost

High S - Cozy PJ's: Comforting and relaxing

High C - Books: Entertainment and learning through the written word

Resources for this episode:

Love Languages

EI in the World of AI

Showcasing Steadiness with Shawn Z

Illustrating Influence with Rachel Hammer

The Four Archetypes of Happiness

Recruiting and Hiring with DISC

Meet Michelle

More with Michelle

Wishing you all the best this holiday season :)

To learn more about Victoria and her business offerings visit or email her at mailto:[email protected]

Connect with Victoria!

https://pod.link/1614071253

https://discoverwhatworks.org/

https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaDISC

https://www.instagram.com/discoverwhatworks/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/discoverwhatworks