Embracing Your True Colors

Transcription

1 Professional Development Track Embracing Your True Colors Charlene M. Gaus Regional Director, Volunteer Services Penn State Alumni Association

2 Session Overview What is True Colors? Where Do Introversion and Extraversion Fit In? Self-Assessment General Overview of Each Color Colors at Work Colors in Leadership Colors under Stress

3 What Is True Colors? Originally developed by Don Lowry in 1978 To categorize four basic learning styles Refined version of popular Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Every person s personality consists of all four colors Primary and secondary colors Purpose not to pigeonhole people Personalities might adjust based on environment or associations Way to understand behaviors and motivations Help mitigate potential conflict Copyright True Colors Intl.

4 A Note on Introversion & Extroversion Dimension not included in this model Most helpful to understand when identifying personality styles in others Extraverts (75%) Process their understanding externally Draw energy from outside Like to verbalize Easier to identify styles Introverts (25%) Prefer to process the world internally Draw energy of inner world of ideas Can be sociable but reveal less Often present selves in secondary style, need to ask more questions

5 Self- Assessment

6 Guardian Gold I follow the rules and respect authority. Loyal, Dependable, Prepared I have a strong sense of what is right and wrong in life. Thorough, Sensible, Punctual I need to be useful and to belong. Faithful, Stable, Organized I value home, family, and tradition. Caring, Concerned, Concrete I am a natural preserver, a good citizen, and helpful. TO STABILIZE Famous Golds: Harry Truman Joan Rivers Santa Claus George Washington Lucy Van Pelt (Peanuts) Mr. Rogers Gerald Ford Nancy Reagan

7 Orange Artisan ACTION I act on a moment s notice. Witty, Charming, Spontaneous I consider life a game, here and now. Impulsive, Generous, Impactful I need fun, variety, stimulation, and excitement. Optimistic, Eager, Bold I value skill, resourcefulness, and courage. Physical, Immediate, Fraternal I am a natural trouble shooter, a performer, a competitor. Famous Oranges: John F. Kennedy Charlie Brown Ernest Hemmingway Winston Churchill Amelia Earhart Garfield Teddy Roosevelt Lucille Ball

8 Idealist Blue TO INFLUENCE OTHERS I need to feel unique and authentic. Enthusiastic, Sympathetic, Personal I look for meaning and significance in my life. Warm, Communicative, Compassionate I need to contribute, to encourage, and to care. Idealistic, Spiritual, Sincere I value integrity and unity in relationships. Peaceful, Flexible, Imaginative I am a natural romantic, a poet, and a nurturer. Famous Blues: Mozart Bill Clinton Cinderella Mohammad Ali Ghandi Martin Luther King, Jr. Emily Dickenson Dorothy (Wizard of Oz)

9 Rational Green TO THINK THINGS OVER I seek knowledge and understanding. Analytical, Global, Conceptual I live by my own standards. Cool, Calm, Collected I need explanation and answers. Inventive, Logical, Perfectionist I value intelligence, insight, fairness, and justice. Abstract, Hypothetical, Investigative I am a natural non-conformist, a visionary, a problemsolver. Famous Greens: Socrates Frank Lloyd Wright Thomas Edison Sherlock Holmes Abe Lincoln Madame Curie Dwight D. Eisenhower Eleanor Roosevelt

10 Gold at Work Guardian Provide stability and maintain organization Ability to handle details and to work hard makes backbone of many organizations Believe that work comes before play, even if must work overtime Sees self: Stable Executive type Others may see: Rigid Limited flexibility Provide security Dependable Controlling Uptight Firm Always has a view Dull, boring Sets own agenda TO STABILIZE Efficient Decisive Orderly, neat Punctual Stubborn Opinionated Predictable Rigid idea of time Good Planner Organized Realistic Finisher System-bound Unimaginative Judgmental End justifies means Limited

11 Orange at Work Artisan ACTION Bored and restless with routine and structure Satisfied in careers that allow independence and freedom View any kind of tool as extension of self Natural performer Sees self: Fun loving Spontaneous Flexible, adaptable Carefee Proficient Problem Solver Here and now Do many things at once Eclectic Can deal with chaos Curious Others may see: Irresponsible Flaky Scattered Not serious Indecisive Manipulative Wishy-washy Cluttered Uncontrollable Disobey rules Enjoys life

12 Blue at Work Idealist TO INFLUENCE OTHERS Strong desire to influence others to lead more significant lives Often work in arts, communication, education, or a helping profession Adept at motivating and interacting with others Sees self: Warm Caring Compassionate Romantic Spiritual Creative Likes to please Affirming Expressive, expansive Caretaker Promoting growth Social interaction expert Idealistic Empathetic Others may see: Over-emotional Bleeding Heart Mushy Other-worldly Flaky Hopelessly naïve Talks to much Too trusting Cool, aloof, unfeeling Smothering Teaching nonessentials Slick, manipulative Ignore policy Easily duped

13 Green at Work Rational TO THINK THINGS OVER Conceptual and independent Work is play Drawn to constant challenge in careers, like to develop models and explore ideas Once idea perfected, move on, leaving project to be maintained by others Sees self: Superior intellect 98% right Tough-minded Efficient Powerful Rational Calm Under control Precise Able to find flaws Creative Seeking justice Others may see: Intellectual snob Arrogant Heartless Unrealistic Eccentric Unfair Cool, aloof, unfeeling Afraid to open up Not on my side Weird Unappreciative Ruthless

14 Gold Leadership Guardian Expects punctuality, order, loyalty Assumes right way to do things Seldom questions tradition Rules oriented Detailed/thorough approach threatened by change Prolonged time to initiate any change Expects people to play their roles TO STABILIZE When leading Golds: Be organized, specific, and clear Be precise in stating objectives Be knowledgeable about specific contributions Be consistent with all staff members on rules and procedures Be direct and detailed

15 Orange Leadership Artisan Expects quick action Assumes flexibility Works in the here and now Performance oriented Flexible approach Welcomes change Expects people to make it fun ACTION When leading Oranges: Recognize their positive influence Give them freedom to act on their own Be open for change and permit them to introduce change Recognize their interests Recognize their leadership potential

16 Blue Leadership Idealist Expects others to express views Assumes family spirit Works to develop others potential Individuals oriented Democratic, unstructured approach Encourages change via human potential TO INFLUENCE OTHERS When leading Blues: Being open and non-judgmental Showing integrity Genuine Being aware of feelings Willingness to talk and discuss issues

17 Green Leadership Rational Expects intelligence and competence Assumes task relevancy Seeks ways to improve systems Visionary Analytical Encourages change for improvement Constantly in process of change Expects people to follow through When leading Greens: TO THINK THINGS OVER Be there when they need you Be precise when giving data and facts Be receptive to their observations and opinions Be focused on the topic at hand

18 Gold Stressors Guardian Complaining and self-pity Anxiety and worry Depression and fatigue Psychosomatic problems Malicious judgments about self or others Herd mentality exhibited in blindly following leaders Authoritarianism and phobic reactions Joys: TO STABILIZE Home, Order, Tidy, Organized, Achievement, Serving Others, Tangible Rewards, Establishing Routines, Time for Family

19 Orange Stressors Artisan Rudeness and defiance Breaking the rules intentionally Running away and dropping out Acting out boisterously Lying and cheating Physical aggressiveness Joys: ACTION People, Adventure, Thrills, Life, Success, Variety, Celebrating Results, Being in Charge, Hands-On, Competition/Contests

20 Blue Stressors Idealist Attention-getting misbehaving Lying to save face Withdrawal Fantasy, day-dreaming, and trancing out Crying and depression Passive resistance Yelling and screaming Joys: TO INFLUENCE OTHERS Romance, Hugs, Acceptance, Helping Others, Sharing, Social Groups, Teamwork (Synergy), Meeting New People, Music and Fine Arts

21 Green Stressors Rational Indecisiveness Refusal to comply and cooperate Extreme aloofness and withdrawal Snobbish, put-down remarks, and sarcasm Refusal to communicate Perfectionism due to severe performance anxiety Joys: TO THINK THINGS OVER High Achievement, Recognition, Challenge of Possibilities, Big Picture Process, Exploring the Unknown, Creating Strategies, Solving Problems, Discovery

22 Warm Loyal (15%) (35%) Fun (35%) (15%) Analytical Create a spirit of collaboration, cooperation, and synergy by embracing your team s True Colors!

23 Session evaluations will be ed. Don t forget to attend CASE After Hours this evening to further network with attendees.