MAPS Using DISC to Communicate with IMPACT

Course Overview

Course Description

Public organizations depend on effective communication to serve communities, collaborate across departments, and maintain strong working relationships. Yet many workplace conflicts arise not from intent, but from differences in communication style. This interactive course helps participants understand their own DISC personality style and learn how to adapt their communication to colleagues, supervisors, and stakeholders with distinctive styles.

Building on the DISC model and Patrick Donadio’s IMPACT communication process, participants will explore how personality influences pace, decision making, emotional expression, conflict responses, and collaboration preferences. Using real world scenarios, small group activities, and guided practice, participants will learn how to personalize messages, reduce tension, and communicate in ways that build trust and improve team effectiveness.

Participants will leave with practical tools they can apply immediately, including strategies for adapting communication to each DISC style, navigating difficult conversations, and strengthening relationships across diverse personalities. The course concludes with a personalized communication action plan to support ongoing growth and application.

Intended Audience

This course is designed for public sector professionals at all levels, including frontline staff, supervisors, emerging leaders, and middle managers. No prior experience with DISC or communication models is required. The course is especially relevant for individuals who collaborate across departments, manage teams, engage with diverse stakeholders, or navigate conflict in their roles. Participants will gain practical, research based communication tools that enhance workplace relationships, improve team performance, and support more effective service delivery.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to…

1. Identify your DISC communication style and recognize the observable behaviors associated with other styles.
2. Apply the IMPACT communication process to personalize messages and adapt to different personality types.
3. Use DISC based strategies to enhance collaboration, reduce misunderstandings, and navigate challenging conversations.
4. Adjust your communication pace, tone, and level of detail to engage colleagues, supervisors, and stakeholders more effectively.
5. Develop a personalized action plan to strengthen communication habits and build more effective workplace relationships.

Course Materials

Course materials will be provided in class.

Instructor

Patrick Donadio, MBA, CSP™, MCC, is a nationally recognized communication and leadership expert and the author of Communicating with IMPACT©. One of the few professionals worldwide to earn both the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP™) and the Master Certified Coach (MCC) credentials, Patrick has spent more than two decades helping leaders communicate clearly, lead confidently, and achieve measurable results.

Patrick has trained and coached two generations of C‑suite executives, leaders, and professional service providers using his proven IMPACT© Process—a practical, results‑based framework for communicating with clarity, purpose, and influence. His work helps organizations improve communication, elevate presentations, strengthen leadership, increase sales, and enhance their professional and community image.

A dynamic speaker and educator, Patrick has delivered keynotes, training, and coaching across the U.S. and internationally. He has trained thousands across industries—from Fortune 100 companies to associations and government agencies. Patrick has appeared on programs with notable figures including Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Joan Lunden, Roger Staubach, Lou Holtz, George Will, and Jeff Foxworthy.

Patrick has taught communication and leadership at the University of Notre Dame, The Ohio State University, The Weatherhead School of Management, the University of Dayton, and The John Glenn College of Public Affairs. He earned his MBA from Ohio University, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Communications, and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

His professional background includes serving as an administrator at Ohio University, Vice President of consulting services for a national corporation, and Executive Director of the nationally award‑winning Ohio Crime Prevention Association.

He is the author of Communicating with IMPACT©: A Powerful Process to Effectively Communicate Ideas and Achieve Greater Results, and has developed several learning programs, including:

Signature Learning Programs:

• Communicating with IMPACT©: 6‑Step Process for interpersonal communication
• Presenting with IMPACT©: Craft and deliver powerful presentations.
• Leading with IMPACT: Assess your leadership effectiveness and learn how/where to improve.
• Leading with STYLE (DISC): Understanding and applying DISC styles
• The Art & Science of Active Listening: Become a more effective listener through proven techniques.

Patrick has been published and profiled in numerous publications and has appeared on broadcast media including NBC Nightly News, Psychology Today, Time Magazine, Huffington Post, CEO Magazine, Business First, Money, and stations such as WCMH‑TV, WBNS‑TV, WTVN‑AM, and WOSU‑FM. He also participated in two goodwill exchanges with Japan, promoting intercultural awareness.

Email: Patrick@PatrickDonadio.com Website: www.PatrickDonadio.com

Bring Patrick to your next conference, retreat, or leadership event to help your people communicate with purpose and lead with IMPACT.

FAQ's

Follow these steps to make a cancellation:

1. Refer to your registration confirmation email
2. Scroll down to "Cancellation Policy"
3. Follow link in email
4. Enter the confirmation number from the registration email
5. At the top of the page, click on “Cancel Registration” button
6. Click Finish

Follow these steps to make a substitution: 

1. Refer to your registration confirmation email
2. Scroll down to "Substitutions"
3. Follow link in email
4. Enter the confirmation number from the registration email
5. At the top of the page, click on the “Substitute Registrant” button
6. Enter the name and email of the new registrant
7. Click Next
8. Click Confirm

Waitlist
What happens if I am on a waitlist for a course? You will receive an email confirming you have been added to a waitlist. If a spot becomes available, you will be notified by email.  

CEU and CPE Policy
Attendance in this course can earn:

• 0.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
• 7.2 Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEs)

Attendance is recorded at check-in at the start of the day, and full CEU or CPE credit is awarded based on an honor system, with the expectation that participants are present and actively engaged for the full MAPS course.

Course Certificate
Your course certificate will be emailed to you following the course. It will reflect your Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEs) earned and your attendance of the course. 

Photography
The Ohio State University may occasionally take pictures during educational events for use in program communication. If you do not want to be photographed during this course, please email the MAPS team at glenn-training@osu.edu.

MAPS Membership 
A MAPS member receives a discounted rate of $250 for each course with the initial purchase of at least 12 credits. Each credit equals one course for one individual.

To inquire about becoming a MAPS member, please fill out the MAPS Membership Form. A Glenn College Professional Development team member will reach out to you.

Questions or want to learn more?