Using Your True Colors Knowledge
by W. Kirby, L. Kirby, L. Riggs and J.Hellweg
Presenting information with the colors in mind
Gold - Have hand-outs or other ways that detail-minded people can get notes, reminders, written and reusable directions. Be prepared for questions about details and specificity.
Blue - Expect and respond to free-form responses about how they feel concerning the subject, the topic, their progress and understanding, etc.
Orange - Plan sufficient breaks or free moments that provide a chance to talk and interact. Allow as much physical movement as possible. Plan in competitive games and contests.
Green - If possible, allow individuals to work alone at times for the exploration and development of their own approaches.
Allow choices in work, if possible
The key is to allow people to work on projects and assignments that fit their work style.
Golds may prefer some detailed work that requires care and precision.
Blues usually prefer interaction with others and feelings. It is good if there is a prospect for harmony between people.
Oranges do well in situations that allow for physical action; jokes; short-term, high-impact presentations or activities; competition; or trouble-shooting problem situations that call for immediate ingenuity.
Greens may prefer to have time to do some independent investigation, questioning, thinking and logical development.
It is a good idea to offer choices likely to be in accord with the second color, too.
Have people learned to fashion choices for themselves? Have they been authorized and encouraged to do so wisely?
Better training and examples will involve instructions and later checking actions and reactions to see if employees/clients have learned to invent options in accord with their tastes and desires.
People who have learned to use their own strengths will find a way to complete the assignment in accord with their preferred working style.
Interpreting questions and remarks - Realize that different kinds of thinking are probably going on among each of the four Colors. This can help you understand the meaning of various sorts of questions and comments.
Golds will probably base their questions on details, authorization, and what is expected of them--their obligations and duties. Problems and concerns are natural areas for Golds.
Expect questions and remarks about feelings, atmosphere, caring, and morale from those using a Blue approach. Expect Blues to seek ways they can please or delight others.
Expect body language, quick thinking and witty remarks from Oranges. Oranges are naturals at "angling for a deal."
Expect questions involving logical, structural, purpose, and big picture reactions from those using a Green approach.
Sympathizing with a variety of approaches and personalities - Remember that we all have elements of all the colors in each of us.
When we realize that “God is in the details”, that is, that nothing can be done just in general, that everything is in an important sense specific, we can realize the value of Gold thinking, Gold questions and worries, and Gold methods.
When we realize that everyone has emotions, that emotions are probably more immediate and fundamental to human life than purely logical thought, we can appreciate the needs of Blues and the potential contributions of Blue focus on feelings and inspiration or its lack. Blues may be especially aware of accepting-attending behavior and note its presence or absence more keenly than others. Blues are often instrumental in creating more harmonious relations in the workplace and in boosting morale.
When we realize that all animals live in motion, from breathing and blood circulation to chewing, talking, gesturing, walking and running, when we appreciate the energy and flow of bodies with a strong need to move, play and compete, we can better sympathize with Oranges. We can appreciate the quick retort, the jokes, the play, and immediate impact that Oranges love and focus on. For all people, the brain may be most alert and best at retention and problem solving when the body's motion is activated. Oranges often excel at speedy trouble-shooting, especially in unprecedented and baffling situations. They may learn very quickly (but may forget quickly, too.) Their ability to negotiate can serve as a model to others as to how to create their own alternatives in goals, content and requirements that meet their needs.
When we appreciate the power of careful, more or less solitary thinking, the kind of scrutinizing thinking that questions everything from the ground up in the hope of building a better idea, organization or whatever, we can sympathize with the Greens. We can also appreciate the bravery and the loneliness of these long-distance thinkers, who ponder everything and desperately (and hopelessly) seek complete understanding of everything, an impossible but beloved goal of the Greens.
Understanding irritations between Colors
Simple differences in preference often account for what seems like personal rejection or affront.
Golds
Golds may find other colors too cavalier, too careless. They can be amazed and shocked that others don’t know the rules involved or simply flout them. They may imply that others are too "dangerous" to be trusted with anything important.
Golds can be interested in establishing order in a way that offends or irritates others. The usual Gold idea of order and hierarchy can seem like unnecessary baggage or restrictive to other colors.
Golds do not like change and are good protectors of the status quo. They are good at finding fault with new ideas or methods.
Blues
Blues can be very put off by what they consider to be insensitivity to others’ feelings or plight. Other colors may feel that Blues are overly sensitive or concerned about others’ feelings.
They may be against competition that others enjoy.
Any form of conflict, argument or participant withdrawal may affect their emotions. Thus, it is the Blue who can feel upset by arguments between others, even if the Blue is not personally involved.
Oranges
Oranges can be impatient with the detail, formality or simple complexity that others see in a task or project.
They often are uncomfortable with extended reading and writing activities, especially if they involve much self revelation or analysis. If they plan a rotation of activities, with short times for reading and writing, they may manage to be more tolerant and productive.
Oranges can be oblivious to over-all patterns that are apparent to others.
They may seek to stimulate competition that others find burdensome.
Greens
Greens frequently see interesting ideas or directions of development that are not of interest to other colors. Their pursuit of these ideas can be irritating to all the other colors.
They can become locked into a search for the ultimate and perfect answer, procedure, etc. when no one else cares about the subject.
Greens seem arrogant to others at times, as they may make a deliberate choice to ignore rules or others' wishes or concerns. Instead, they tend to focus on their own, more strictly logical picture of what is going on and what should be achieved in the future.
Arranging for better understanding of the 4 Colors
It often makes sense to translate the Colors’ basic themes into language that does not demand any background in True Colors. If you keep in mind the four emphases: rules & obligations; feelings & love of harmony; love of motion, wit & impact; and deep, analytical thinking; you can arrange for everyone of all colors to contribute to occasions when one of these emphases is the focus.
Each Color has a valuable approach to life that awareness and practice will help everyone develop and use.
Sources
Books
David Keirsey - Portraits of Temperament
David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates - Please Understand Me
Kroeger & Theusen - Type Talk at Work and 16 Ways to Love Your Lover
True Colors™ materials
True Colors™, Corona, CA 91720