Leadership Isn’t a Role. It’s a Behavior.
you have been to any of my DISC workshops, most likely you know that my life has revolved around baseball. With the World Series wrapping up, I want to shed some light on Shohei Ohtani, who might be the most talented baseball player of our generation. He is known for his exceptional skills as a two-way ball player, excellent at both pitching and hitting.
Imagine having the weight of the game on your shoulders as a starting pitcher and when your three outs are made, be expected to hit home run after home run. And yet in the middle of the game with the pressure on, fans cheering, and his every move being analyzed, he does the unexpected. While his teammates rest on the bench or take the field, Ohtani takes the time to fill their water cups.
No fanfare. No announcement. Just a quiet act of service from this superstar to the rest of his bench. It’s such a small moment you could miss it. But for teams, whether on a field, in an office, or out on a jobsite, that kind of behavior sends ripples through everything.
The Ripple Effect: How You Behave is What You’ll Get
In any high-performing environment, people watch each other more than they realize. Behavior is contagious. It’s not just what we say that shapes culture, it’s what we model. When people talk about how leadership isn’t a role, this is the kind of moment they have in mind.
That’s where the language of DISC becomes a powerful tool for insight. DISC measures observable behaviors. Some people naturally set the pace for the team. They drive toward results and make quick calls. Others lift the energy and keep the group connected. Some quietly hold things steady, making sure everyone’s supported and included. Others focus on getting things right, taking pride in doing things the right way, not just the fast way.
Each of these tendencies affects the team’s rhythm. When one person shows up with intention, not just operating from instinct but choosing behaviors that serve the moment, it creates a ripple everyone feels. Sometimes that means flexing behaviors beyond your comfort zone to fill the gap and meet the needs of the team.
“Leadership isn’t a role. It’s a behavior.” – Dan Platta
When Ohtani fills his teammates’ water cups, he isn’t playing to his strengths on the field; he’s flexing to meet a team need. He shows that leadership isn’t always about taking charge, sometimes it’s about noticing what’s needed and stepping in, even when it’s small. Dan Platta’s quote, “Leadership isn’t a role. It’s a behavior.” has been around for years, but Ohtani gives it life. He doesn’t need a title to lead. He just behaves in a way that lifts others.
That’s what we explore with our DISC workshops, the everyday choices that shape how teams function.
- If you’re naturally decisive (D), maybe leadership looks like slowing down to listen before deciding.
- If you’re naturally relational (I), maybe it means bringing focus and clarity when the team needs direction.
- If you’re calm and steady (S), maybe it’s speaking up when others hesitate.
- If you’re analytical (C), maybe it’s trusting people more than the process once in a while.
DISC gives teams a shared language to understand their own tendencies and the impact they have on others. Seeing behavior through that lens makes it easier to flex, communicate, and lead with intention… no title required.
The Water Cup Test
That same mindset, noticing what the team needs and stepping up, is what separates good teams from great ones. If your project team is in a tough stretch (i.e. schedule tightening, budget shrinking, stress rising, etc.), who’s filling the water cups?
Not literally, but behaviorally. Who’s scanning the room, noticing needs before they’re spoken? Who’s adjusting their own style to help others succeed?
That’s what mature DISC awareness looks like. It’s not about color-coding personalities; it’s about recognizing how your behavior affects the group and then choosing to create the kind of ripple you want.
Because when the most talented player in the room, or the most experienced project lead makes a humble move to serve, it shifts everything. It tells the team that no one is above the basics. It breaks down ego, builds trust, and redefines what leadership really means.
The next time you’re in a meeting, a site walk, or a coordination crunch, look for your version of the water cup. It might be an extra conversation, a calm response, a bit of encouragement, or an intentional pause before reacting.
Those are the ripples that turn skill into connection, and connection into performance. And with all of that said, Go Giants!
~ Louisa
Louisa brings a fresh and energetic approach to DISC training, combining her passion for people with the collaborative methods of OrgMetrics. As a Certified DISC Trainer, she helps construction project teams understand communication styles, strengthen relationships, and work together more effectively. Louisa’s approachable style makes DISC accessible, engaging, and directly relevant to the real-world challenges teams face. She is based in the Livermore, CA, where she enjoys coaching youth sports, volunteering at her children’s schools, and spending time with family.
For more information, please contact Louisa Garrett, louisagarrett@orgmet.com / (702) 466-8722 (cell) or OrgMetrics robreaugh@orgmet.com / (925) 449-8300.