Mastering Code-Switching Through DiSC

by Amber Chatham, CSM

Truth moment — I’ve been code-switching since before I even had the language for what it was. As a Black woman navigating corporate America, I learned early on how to adjust my tone, body language, and expression based on who I was speaking to. Not because I wanted to hide who I was — but because I understood, on a gut level, that how I showed up could determine whether I was heard, trusted, or dismissed.

Code-switching, for many of us, has been survival.

But over time, I started asking myself: Can it be something more?

That question led me to DiSC — and it changed the way I viewed communication, leadership, and yes, even code-switching.

Why We’ve Always Code-Switched

If you're a Black professional, chances are you’ve had to:

• Choose your words carefully to avoid being labeled “aggressive”.

• Show up differently in meetings than you do with your family or friends.

• Adjust your expression to avoid discomfort — not your own, but someone else’s.

These aren’t just minor shifts. They require constant emotional and cognitive labor. And for many of us, this becomes so normalized that we don’t even realize how much we’re carrying — or why we’re carrying it.

But here’s what I’ve learned: Code-switching doesn’t have to be a burden. It can be a skill. And when done intentionally, it becomes a powerful tool for leadership.

Amber Chatham, presenting at the POWER25 Conference in Atlanta, GA

How DiSC Helped Me Make the Shift

When I took the DiSC Assessment for the first time, it felt like a lightbulb turned on. I discovered my natural style leaned toward Influence (I) and Conscientiousness (C) — a blend of being persuasive, people-oriented, thoughtful, and detail-oriented. This meant I often aimed to build consensus and deliver precise, high-quality work. Yet, in high-stakes meetings or when working with more dominant personalities, I found myself subtly drawing on my Dominance (D) traits to hold my ground, or leveraging my Steadiness (S) for calm, consistent follow-through, even when my primary IC style felt challenged.

DiSC gave me the language to understand not just how I communicate, but why I shift — and how to do it without feeling like I’m performing.

It also helped me decode the styles of others — which made difficult conversations, stakeholder alignment, and executive presentations so much easier to navigate.

Code-Switching vs. Shape-Shifting

Let me be clear: This isn’t about being fake. It’s not about watering yourself down.

It’s about communicating strategically — and choosing how to flex without compromising who you are.

That’s the difference between code-switching to survive and code-switching to lead.

When you know your style, you don’t feel lost when you need to shift. When you understand how others communicate, you don’t internalize their tone. When you lead with awareness, you can bring your full self — and still speak their language.

Why I’m Leading This Cohort

As a Sr. HR Business Partner at Baylor Scott & White Health, a Certified Scrum Master, and a Certified DiSC Facilitator through Black In HR, I’ve had the privilege of coaching professionals at every level of leadership. But what I’m most passionate about is helping Black professionals move through corporate spaces with clarity, not code-switching fatigue. That’s why I’m leading a DiSC Cohort specifically designed for us — to explore who we are, how we lead, and how to own our communication style while navigating bias and expectations.

In This Cohort, You’ll Learn:

• Your unique DiSC profile and how it shows up at work

• How to flex your style based on your audience — without losing authenticity

• How to read the room and adjust for better influence

• How to use code-switching as a skill, not a sacrifice

• How to manage up, down, and across with confidence

  
  

💬 Final Thought

We’ve always known how to adapt. That’s part of our strength. But now it’s time to put language, strategy, and support around it — so we’re not just surviving in these rooms, we’re leading them.

If that sounds like something you’re ready for, I’d love for you to join me.

📅 DiSC Cohort with Amber Chatham – Enrolling Now

• Includes: Full DiSC profile, workbook, and live virtual sessions

• Built for: Black professionals ready to lead with clarity and confidence

• Led by: Me, Amber Chatham

👉🏾Reserve your seat today — space is limited.

Let’s turn the code into a strategy — and the switch into a strength.