True Colors

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True Colors

• Dr. Jay E. Aronson
• Jaronson_at_terry.uga.edu

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True Colors

• By Roger Birkman
• Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN, 1995.

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True Colors

• Birkman Associates, Inc.
• 3040 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 1425
• Houston, TX 77056
• 713/623-2760
• Fax [phone]

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True ColorsLearning Styles

• Learning style affects
• how you learn
• interact with the class
• relate to other group members
• feel about the educational process
• Determine style to
• Find good learning methods
• Cope with a less than perfect match

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Individuals have different

• Cognitive styles
• Perceptions
• Learning styles
• Much research (Jungian see Myers-Briggs)
• True Colors
• Simple method to determine
• Just a few categories

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Personality /Temperament Type

• Dictate
• Personality characteristics
• Needs
• Ways of acting and reacting to
• Stress
• Normal situations
• Help to develop an individual learning method

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Forming Workgroups

• Not everyone should have the same personality
  type
• Identifying personality type can help in
• Job and environment selection
• How to best interact with people
• on the job
• at home
• Caution Professional counseling may be necessary!

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You Arent Normal!

• No one is Normal!!!

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Six Myths

• Im normal, and anyone who is different from me
  is not normal
• My way is the best way
• The way a person acts is the way he or she needs
  to be treated
• Most people feel the way I do.
• There are plenty of spectators, but its the
  doers who get the job done.
• There is one ideal behavioral style.

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Dis-Mythed

• Individuals have differences.
• Individuals have both strengths and weaknesses.
• The positive aspects of personality should be
  emphasized.Differences relate to personal,
  social, and occupational behavior.
• Individuals can manage their behavior.
• People need opportunities for personal growth.
• Every organization has its distinctive
  personality.

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True Colors AssessmentHow Do You See Yourself?

• Here are some statements about yourself. Read
  each statement carefully.
• Please mark every statement, even when you are in
  doubt (on the answer sheet.)
• If you feel a statement is True or Mostly True,
  select T.
• If you feel a statement is False or Mostly False,
  select F.

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Question Group 1

• T F 1. Argue when contradicted.
• T F 2. Openly express differences of opinion
• with groups and individuals.
• T F 3. Argue a point when I know I am right.
• T F 4. Tell a person what I think of him when
• annoyed.

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Question Group 1 (continued)

• T F 5. Bluff to get what I want.
• T F 6. Put annoying people in their places.
• T F 7. Help friends by pointing out their
• faults
• T F 8. Keep others guessing.

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Question Group 2

• T F 9. Like firm and strict supervision
• T F 10. Orderly and systematic.
• T F 11. Seldom leave things until the last
• minute.
• T F 12. Want to be early for appointments.

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Question Group 2 (continued)

• T F 13. Work for accuracy rather than speed.
• T F 14. Like to finish a job I've started
  even
• though others lose patience with
  me.
• T F 15. Can schedule my time for a week or
• longer and stick with it.
• T F 16. Prefer to take care of the details
• rather than take things as they
• come.

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True Colors Score Sheet

• GROUP 1
• T F
• T F
• T F
• T F
• T F
• T F
• T F
• T F

• GROUP 2
• T F
• T F
• T F
• T F
• T F
• T F
• T F
• T F

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Scoring

• Compute the
• Total Number True in Group 1 (Questions 1-8)
• Total Number True in Group 2 (Questions 9-16)
• Determine Color

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THE TRUE COLOR SCORE
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THE TRUE COLOR GRID
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True Colors

• A person in each color has certain
  characteristics and differences in how he or she
  relates to people in the other color quadrants.
• Careful at the cusps (scores 4-5).

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Usual Styles
Assertive
Low Key
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Usual Styles
Assertive
Low Key
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Usual Styles
Assertive
Low Key
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Usual Styles
Assertive
Low Key
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Usual Styles
Assertive
Low Key
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Color Commonalities
Same Actions
Same Feelings
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Color Commonalities
Same Actions
Same Feelings
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Color Commonalities
Same Actions
Same Feelings
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Relating to Yellows

• Yellows prefer, and even enjoy having a set
  procedure for everything. They like numbers,
  rules, and structure.
• So when you relate to Yellows, here are a few
  suggestions

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Relating to Yellows

• Build relationships around task-oriented
  projects.
• Outline the task and let them find practical
  methods for accomplishing it.
• Challenge them to outline specific objectives and
  solutions to problems.
• Allow space and interact rationally and
  objectively.
• Alleviate worry by having a clear-cut strategy.
• Outline a tangible goal.
• Draw on their ability to analyze.
• Take the initiative, but let them suggest
  alternatives.

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Relating to Greens

• These are the conversational, quick-decision-maker
  s.
• If youre not a Green as well, it may be
  difficult for you to try to keep up with these
  individuals.
• But here are some recommendations to get you
  started

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Relating to Greens

• Interact by expressing your concerns and sharing
  feelings.
• Realize the importance of recognition,
  compliments, and appreciation.
• Show an interest and allow them to talk.
• Expect them to get involved and interact.
• Capitalize on Greens ease in relating to others
  and making them comfortable.
• Count on their eager assistance.
• Use their talent for enlivening and entertaining
  in social situations.
• Tell them how they can help, and draw on their
  practical applications.

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Relating to Reds

• Reds generally enjoy building, organizing, and
  seeing projects through to completion.
• They are direct in their approach to problems and
  people, so dont be put off by them.
• Here are some suggestions

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Relating to Reds

• Act, react, and respond to their initiative.
• Challenge and confront them.
• Be forceful, direct and straightforward.
• Identify the need or the problem for them, and
  then hang on as they go to work.
• Draw on their expertise in promoting change and
  new concepts.
• Recognize their practical leadership potential
  and give support.
• Stay involved to give additional/balancing
  viewpoints when new challenges arise.
• Avoid lengthy explanations and sentiment.

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Relating to Blues

• When dealing with Blue people, you might need
  to check occasionally to make sure youve still
  got their attention.
• Their minds have a tendency to springboard from
  whatever youre saying to dozens of other things
  at a moments notice.
• To keep them on track, try these ideas

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Relating to Blues

• Relate to them in a quiet way.
• Run your plan by them for consideration.
• Involve them in the planning.
• Outline the project and allow them to take the
  initiative.
• Ask them to help in ways directly related to
  their talents.
• Give justified support and encouragement.
• Show deserved appreciation by being a friend.
• Make use of their ideas and creativity.

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Interests
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Interests
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Interests
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Interests
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Interests
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Primary Interest When Reading Books
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Primary Interest When Reading Books
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Primary Interest When Reading Books
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Primary Interest When Reading Books
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Primary Interest When Reading Books
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Response When Anxieties Rise and Defense
Mechanisms Take Over
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Response When Anxieties Rise and Defense
Mechanisms Take Over
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Response When Anxieties Rise and Defense
Mechanisms Take Over
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Response When Anxieties Rise and Defense
Mechanisms Take Over
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Response When Anxieties Rise and Defense
Mechanisms Take Over
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Slogans to Live By
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Slogans to Live By
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Slogans to Live By
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Slogans to Live By
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Slogans to Live By
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How a Sense of Significance is Attained
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How a Sense of Significance is Attained
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How a Sense of Significance is Attained
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How a Sense of Significance is Attained
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How a Sense of Significance is Attained
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Negotiating Techniques
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Negotiating Techniques
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Negotiating Techniques
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Negotiating Techniques
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Negotiating Techniques
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Variations of the Golden Rule
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Variations of the Golden Rule
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Variations of the Golden Rule
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Variations of the Golden Rule
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Variations of the Golden Rule
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Motivational Needs
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Motivational Needs
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Motivational Needs
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Motivational Needs
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Motivational Needs
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Outward (Active) BehaviorsBased on Operating
Styles -Appears
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Outward (Active) BehaviorsBased on Operating
Styles -Appears
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Outward (Active) BehaviorsBased on Operating
Styles -Appears
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Outward (Active) BehaviorsBased on Operating
Styles -Appears
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Outward (Active) BehaviorsBased on Operating
Styles -Appears
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Stress (Reactive Behaviors)
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Stress (Reactive Behaviors)
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Stress (Reactive Behaviors)
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Stress (Reactive Behaviors)
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Stress (Reactive Behaviors)
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Reactive BehaviorUnder Stress - Becomes
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Reactive BehaviorUnder Stress - Becomes
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Reactive BehaviorUnder Stress - Becomes
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Reactive BehaviorUnder Stress - Becomes
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Reactive BehaviorUnder Stress - Becomes
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Color Contrasts9 Cats in a House

• Suppose there are 9 cats in a house and it is
  your task to get them out.
• How would you do it?

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9 Cats in a HouseRed

• If you are an autocratic doer (Red), you are
  action-oriented and strong-willed.
• Your approach might be to go into the house,
  bellow Scat! and expect the cats to get out if
  they know whats good for them!
• You would how those cats that you mean business,
  and you wouldnt waste time getting the job done.

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9 Cats in a HouseYellow

• If you are more of a detail person (Yellow), you
  would first plan your work and then work your
  plant.
• You would probably require a system of cat
  removal.
• So, you might begin by assigning numbers to the
  cats-one through nine-and labeling each one with
  a nametag (in calligraphy) Cat 1, Cat 2, Cat
  3, etc.

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9 Cats in a HouseYellow

• Next you would provide nine neat holes in the
  wall, also well-labeled in bold numbers.
• Then you would teach each cat the appropriate
  route of exit.
• (Its not enough for the cats to get out the
  removal must be done properly.)
• So you will be completely frustrated if, for
  instance, Cat 3 goes out Exit 7.

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9 Cats in a HouseGreen

• If your approach to situations is that of an
  enthusiastic salesperson (Green), you would feel
  a sense of empathy for those poor cats who are
  confined in that nasty old house when they could
  be outside instead.
• You would want to sell them on the sunshine,
  fresh air, and other benefits.
• In your emotionally charged approach, you would
  be likely to prop open all the doors and windows,
  place warm milk and cat food outside each
  opening, and stand by to coax them, Here, kitty,
  kitty?

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9 Cats in a HouseBlue

• And if your personality leans toward that of the
  artistic, poetic, philosopher type (Blue),
• you are intensely aware of beauty, reverence,
  creativity, and awe.
• You enjoy quiet and pensive moments of solitude,
  when you can tune into the wonders of the
  universe and the mysteries of life.
• So when confronted with the cats-in-a-house
  dilemma, your response is likely to be,
• What in the world am I doing worrying about
  cats?

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Conclusions 1

• Each personality is unique.
• There is no such thing as a good or bad color
  (personality type).
• You can learn to behave like a color other than
  your own True Color.
• No one color makes a better leader or follower.
• Each color acts and reacts differently in usual
  operating mode and stress.
• Each color relates to others differently.

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Conclusions 2

• You should relate to each color differently to be
  effective.
• Learning styles vary by color.
• To be effective, each group should have at least
  one of each color in it.