As 2026 approaches, hospitality leaders everywhere are thinking about how to support their teams, strengthen communication, and create a workplace environment that helps employees feel motivated and valued. Hotels across New York are preparing for new goals, refreshed sales strategies, updated guest experience standards, and a stronger focus on team culture.
Motivation in hospitality is not only about rewards or recognition. It is about understanding what people need, how they communicate, and what helps them feel confident in their roles. That is where DISC becomes a meaningful tool. DISC gives leaders a deeper understanding of team behavior, communication styles, and stress responses. It helps managers create personalized, supportive moments that truly inspire their employees.
At C&C Y Business & Marketing Services LLC, we help hospitality teams use DISC to strengthen teamwork, improve sales performance, and create a more positive service environment.
Below are the top five DISC insights every hospitality leader should use to keep their team engaged and motivated throughout 2026.
1. Understand What Motivates Each DISC Style
Each DISC style responds to different forms of encouragement and communication. When leaders understand these preferences, motivation becomes natural, authentic, and effective.
For example:
- D styles feel motivated when trusted with responsibility, independence, and results-driven goals.
- I styles feel motivated through connection, conversation, team energy, and recognition.
- S styles feel supported when the environment is calm, respectful, and predictable.
- C styles feel confident when expectations are clear and details are communicated thoughtfully.
In hospitality, where every shift can bring something new, this understanding helps managers create a more personalized experience for each employee. DISC also pairs well with hospitality sales training programs, hotel sales training courses, and sales training for service industry teams, because it helps leaders motivate different sales personalities in a way that feels natural.
2. Use DISC to Strengthen Communication Between Departments
Hotels thrive when communication between departments flows smoothly. Sales, front desk, catering, housekeeping, and operations all handle different responsibilities, so they often communicate in different ways.
DISC helps leaders bridge these communication gaps. For example:
- Sales teams often communicate quickly and enthusiastically.
- Catering teams rely on accuracy and detail.
- Front desk teams respond best to steady, respectful communication.
- Operations teams depend on clarity and consistency.
When hospitality leaders understand these differences, they can help teams communicate more comfortably, which leads to fewer misunderstandings and stronger collaboration across the hotel.
3. Provide Feedback That Matches Each Team Member’s Style
Feedback is one of the most powerful tools a leader has, especially in a fast-paced hospitality environment. The way feedback is delivered can motivate or discourage an employee.
DISC helps leaders tailor feedback so that it feels constructive and uplifting:
- D styles prefer straightforward, concise feedback with a clear goal.
- I styles respond well to supportive, encouraging conversations.
- S styles appreciate gentle, consistent communication delivered with patience.
- C styles want clear examples, specific details, and time to process information.
This creates a healthier culture where employees feel supported, not judged. It also improves coaching sessions within hospitality sales training solutions, hospitality sales certification programs, and other development efforts.
4. Use DISC to Strengthen Team Morale During Busy Seasons
Hospitality teams often experience stress during event-heavy months, holiday travel seasons, and year-end group bookings. Morale can shift quickly when the workload increases.
DISC helps leaders respond with understanding:
- If an employee needs reassurance, leaders can offer more guidance.
- If someone thrives with independence, leaders can trust them with more responsibility.
- If someone needs time to adjust to changes, leaders can communicate earlier and more clearly.
- If someone excels at details, leaders can involve them in planning and preparation.
This level of personalization helps teams feel seen and supported, which boosts motivation during even the most demanding weeks.
5. Use DISC to Build a More Supportive Team Culture for 2026
Motivation grows naturally when people feel understood and appreciated. DISC helps leaders build a team culture where employees feel comfortable expressing their ideas, sharing concerns, and asking for help.
When the environment is grounded in compassion and understanding, hospitality teams perform better in every area:
- Guest experience
- Group sales
- Catering coordination
- Front desk service
- Event support
- Daily hotel operations
DISC strengthens this culture by giving leaders and team members a common framework for communication. It also works beautifully alongside ongoing hospitality sales training and hotel sales training because it improves both internal relationships and external guest interactions.
Start 2026 With a Motivated, Connected, and Confident Team
Motivation is not one-size-fits-all in hospitality. It depends on personality, communication style, and the way each team member responds to stress and change. DISC gives leaders a practical way to understand these differences and support their teams with clarity and compassion.
If you want to explore your team’s DISC style or understand your own Sales EQ strengths, you can book a complimentary session here:
Discover Your Sales EQ Superpower Session.
To learn more about how C&C Y Business & Marketing Services LLC supports hospitality teams across New York, visit us.
Your team is your greatest asset, and with the right approach, 2026 can be their strongest year yet.