True ColorsUnderstanding Yourself and Others

ACA Leadership InstituteJuly 24, 2103Dr. Lynn Linde

Workshop OutcomesUsing colors as a metaphor to understand human

characteristics, you will learn:

Individual strengths, joys, and values Stressors and frustrations, a.k.a. what makes you crazy/how you drive others crazy How to modify your style to get the results you desire How to become more effective with groups and committees Strategies to stretch and increase your communication skills

Look at the color-coded character cards. Review each of the illustrations and arrange the cards from the one most like you to the one least like you. Remember to read the back of the cards too.

Now do the same thing with each of the word clusters below the drawings of the cards. Number each statement from the one most like you to the one least like you.

(4 highest or most like you – 1 lowest or least like you)

Now total all your columns, including your card sorting ranks. Your highest number indicates your primary or brightest color. Your lowest number represents the color least like you.

CORENEEDS & VALUES

Core Needs and Values

GOLD

DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY

Core Needs and Values

GREEN

INTELLECTUAL COMPETENCE (INFORMATION AND

KNOWLEDGE)

Core Needs and Values

BLUE

RELATIONSHIPS AND A SENSE OF HARMONY

Core Needs and Values

ORANGE

FREEDOM AND ACTION

ATTRIBUTES

“Be Prepared” Love to plan Detail oriented Service oriented Values family traditions Helpful and trustworthy Conservative and stable “Should” and “should not” Strives for a sense of security Punctual, predictable, precise Value order and the status quo Duty, Loyalty, Usefulness, Responsibility There is a right way to do everything. Tends to be left-brained and analytical Strong belief in policies, procedures, rules Most comfortable with a formal environment

GOLD ATTRIBUTES

GREEN ATTRIBUTES

Approaches interpersonal relationships in a logical manner

Work is play – play is work. Need for independence and private time

Knows how to spell and pronounce “big” words Explores all facets before making decisions

Abstract, conceptual, global Can never know enough Cool, calm, and collected

“Why ?” Idea people

Intellectual Theoretical

Philosophical Very complex

Perfectionists “Should be able to”

Often not in mainstream

Visionaries, futurists Standard setters

BLUE ATTRIBUTES Mediators Optimistic Caretakers Passionate Peacemakers Cause oriented Need to feel “Special” Always a kind word Enjoys symbols of romance Strong sense of spirituality

Sensitive to needs of others Peace, harmony, relationships Motivate and encourage others Cooperative rather than competitive

ORANGE ATTRIBUTES

• Playful• Energetic• Charming• Risk taker• “Just Do It”• Tests limits• Quick witted• Master negotiator• Creative, inventive• “Let’s make a deal”• A natural entertainer• High need for mobility• Visual and kinesthetic• Pushes the boundaries

• Natural and non-conformist• Thrives on competition• Likes tangible rewards• External focus of control• Stimulates the economy• Impulsive and spontaneous• Appreciates immediate feedback• Tends to be left/right brain integrated• Most productive in informal environments

STRESSORS(Frustrations)

Incomplete tasks Disorganization Irresponsibility Changing details Lack of direction Ambiguous tasks Waste Non-Conformity Lack of structure Haphazard attitude Too many things going on at once People who don’t follow through

GOLD Golds are stressed in

environments that reflect:

BLUE Blues are stressed in

environments that reflect: Broken promises and too much negativity Not being involved and lack of social contact Too much conformity Clock watching Being compared to others Conflict Lying Rejection Insincerity Completing paperwork as priority Placing the “system” before people

GREEN Greens are stressed in

environments that reflect: Lack of recognition of their ability Elaborate use of adjectives Not being in charge Lack of independence Subjective judgment Emotional displays Incompetence Small talk Routine Social functions

ORANGE Oranges are stressed in

environments that reflect:• Too much responsibility• Rules & regulations• Being stuck at a desk• Abstract concepts• Reading manuals• Imposed structure• Repetition and routine• Personal criticism• Deadlines• Inactivity• Following detailed directions• Lack of Fun and lack of variety

COLOR DISTRIBUTIONS

REFRAMING

Think About and Share What Others Might Say About Your

Brightest Color

REFRAMING GOLDGold may see self as: Stable and Dependable Providing security Firm Always have a view Efficient and Decisive Realist Executive type Good planner Orderly, neat Good at sorting, weeding out Organized and Punctual Goal oriented Seeks closure

Others may see Gold as: Rigid Controlling Dull, boring Stubborn Opinionated Judgmental Bossy, controlling Uptight Predictable Autocratic System-bound Unimaginative

REFRAMING BLUE

Blue may see self as: Warm and Compassionate Romantic Spiritual and Idealistic Willing to work tirelessly for a cause Unselfish and a Caretaker Empathetic and Affirming Promoting growth, well- being Relates current experiences to past experiences Likes people Sympathetic Great communicator

Others may see Blue as: Overly emotional Bleeding Heart Mushy Hopelessly naïve Too tender hearted Easily duped Too touchy-feely Too nice and too trusting Smothering Stuck in/lives in the past Groveling and fawning Soft Talks too much Pushover

REFRAMING GREEN

Green may see self as: Superior intellect 98% Right Powerful Creative and visionary Original Eminently reasonable Rational Calm, not emotional Under control Precise, not repetitive Able to find flaws Objective Seeking justice Firm-minded Able to reprimand

Others may see Green as: Intellectual snob Arrogant and heartless Doesn’t care about people and is ruthless Unrealistic Eccentric, weird Emotionally controlled Cool, aloof, unfeeling Afraid to open up Critical, fault finding Devaluing relational aspects Lacking mercy, unfair Unappreciative of others and stingy with praise

REFRAMING ORANGE

Others may see Orange as: Irresponsible Flaky Goofs off too much Disobeys rules Manipulative Scattered Cluttered Uncontrollable Resists closure or decisions Indecisive Obnoxious Not able to stay on task Not to be trusted

Orange may see self as: Fun-loving, enjoys life Spontaneous and carefree Flexible, adaptable Proficient, capable Hands-on person Practical Problem-solver Good negotiator Do many things at once Eclectic Can deal with chaos Curious, welcomes new ideas Superior ability to discriminate among options, see shades of gray

Resist the Temptation

To color bash or to make colors carry a value

To “fix” any of the other colors

To not use the information

To not stretch to your full potential

To enhance the participation of bright blues:

• Create a warm/personal working atmosphere• Interact with openness and honesty• Establish a harmonious working environment and avoiding

conflict• Showing support and appreciation by a touch, hug, or

handshake• Allowing them freedom to express feelings• Make use of natural gifts of communication, nurturing and

people-oriented ideas• Provide one-on-one feedback• Let them know they are appreciated and needed• Praise their imaginative and creative approach to the task

To enhance the participation of bright greens:

• Assign projects that require analytical thinking and problem solving

• Discuss the “big picture” – elicit their outlook• Inspire with potentials/futuristic ideas• Respect their inclination to go beyond the established rules • Allow them freedom to improve the system• Allow them to take their ideas to the next step/ encourage

them to think independently• Praise their inventiveness and ingenuity• Understand their need to avoid redundancy and repetition• Recognize and appreciate their competence on the job• Allow them to have autonomy in their work

To enhance the participation of bright To To enhance the participation of bright oranges:

anges:

• Assign projects that are action-packed and require a hands-on approachpr

• Provide opportunities to be skillful and adventurous• Utilize their natural abilities as a negotiator• Allow them freedom to do the task in their own non-traditional style• Allow them to keep their sense of humor and avoid boredom on the

job• Encourage them to use their gifts of originality and flair• Provide opportunities for competition• Allow freedom of movement and understanding their preference for

action over words• Praise their performance and skillfulness• Allow spontaneity of action

To enhance the participation of bright golds:

• Assign work that requires detailed planning and careful follow-through

• Define the tasks in clear and concrete terms• Provide well-structured, stable work environment and avoid

abrupt changes; be punctual and reliable• Give standard rules and regulations• Share the responsibilities and duties of the workplace and

take the work ethic seriously• Praise their neatness, organizational skills and efficiency• Give feedback every step of the way• Recognize their need to be straightforward, dependable,

responsible, and business-minded• Give tangible recognition for their work

USING TRUE COLORSIN COUNSELING

BLUE – NURTURING STYLE

• Demonstrate keen sensitivity and ability to empathize

• Perceived as approachable, caring and warm• Follow through until resolutions attained• Seek to create harmony• Strengths: patience, trust, sharing, feelings,

communication, closeness

GREEN – CONSULTIVE STYLE

• Use logical and clear approach in counseling; establish rapport on intellectual level

• Use wisdom and insight, try to foster thinking• Make quick observations, assessments• Strengths: logic, self-control, clarity, intelligence,

knowledge, competence, principles

ORANGE – TROUBLE SHOOTING STYLE

• Like to get to the bottom line• Encourage clients to look at here and now• Time is generally unplanned, dynamic• Respond particularly to at-risk clients• Strengths: action, fun, taking risks, variety,

skill, performance

GOLD – ADVISORY STYLE

• Clear sense of right and wrong• Encourage clients to become contributing

members of society• Demonstrate sensible, practical solutions• Tend to foster responsibility and encourage

appropriate behavior• Strengths: stability, tradition, security,

responsibility, purpose, duty, accountability

Running meetings “True Colors” style

• Take into account the “colors” of the participants

• Understand and plan for participants’ needs – play to

members’ strengths• Ensure there is a rainbow around the table• Follow the ingredients for successful meetings

– process when task/meeting is completed

Successful meetings

• Need Goals or a Plan• Clearly defined roles• Clear communication• Beneficial team behaviors• Well-defined decision making process• Ground rules• Data-driven decision making• Awareness of group process/personal styles

Planning• All the things that must be done in

preparation for the meeting– Logistics (where, when, notices, etc.)– Agenda (includes goal, plan or outcomes)– “Niceities” (food, name tags/tents, materials,

handouts, etc.)

Starting

• Setting the tone and climate for the meeting– Introductions– Starting on time– Purpose/goal/objectives– Agreement on agenda– Clearly defined roles– Social time

Focusing

• Keeping the meeting on track– Clear communication– Beneficial team behaviors– Well-defined decision making procedures– Balanced participation– Established ground rules– Bin or car park

Facilitating/Concluding

• The leader must involve the participants, resolve conflict, and work towards achieving outcomes – use what you know about colors/behaviors

• End the meeting in such a way that participants feel satisfied with the outcome, their participation in the meeting, and the follow-up steps.

How do your meetings run?

• Take time to reflect and analyze, plan• Take time at the end of each meeting to talk

about changes for the next meeting, follow-up and who is going to do what

• Think about what you could do more effectively or efficiently

Next Steps

• How are you going to use True Colors in your association work?

• Name one thing you will do differently for your next meeting or session.

Dr. Lynn LindeLoyola University Maryland

llinde@loyola.edu