True Colors

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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 your learning style to
• Find good learning methods
• Cope with a less than perfect match

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Six Myths

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

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De-Myth-tified

• 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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Take the True Colors Test

• Proceed to next slide
• DO NOT turn to the next page, until you have
  completed the test
• No Cheating!! ?
• Thanks

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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
RED GREEN
YELLOW BLUE

• 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
RED GREEN
YELLOW BLUE

• Compute the
• Total Number True in Group 1 (Questions 1-8)
• Total Number True in Group 2 (Questions 9-16)
• Determine Color Red, Yellow, Green, Blue

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THE TRUE COLOR SCORE
RED GREEN
YELLOW BLUE
Group 1 Group 2 Color Job Category
5 or more and 5 or more Red Production-Centered
4 or less 5 or more Yellow Procedure-Centered
5 or more and 4 or less Green People-Centered
4 or less 4 or less Blue Idea-Centered
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THE TRUE COLOR GRID
Grp1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
RED (gt5gt5) GREEN (gt5lt4)
YELLOW (lt4gt5) BLUE (lt4lt4)
5,5
5,4
4,7
GR 2 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
1
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True Colors
RED GREEN
YELLOW BLUE

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

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Usual Styles
Assertive
Friendly Decisive and Energetic Frank Logical Competitive Assertive Flexible Enthusiastic about new things
Orderly Concentrative Cautious Insistent Insightful Selectively sociable Thoughtful Reflective Optimistic
Low Key
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Color Commonalities
Same Actions
Strong Task Orientation Direct Communication Intense desire to work with people Direct Communication
Strong Task Orientation Indirect Communication Intense desire to work with people Indirect Communication
Same Feelings
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Relating to Yellows
RED GREEN
YELLOW BLUE

• 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

1. Build relationships around task-oriented
   projects.
2. Outline the task and let them find practical
   methods for accomplishing it.
3. Challenge them to outline specific objectives and
   solutions to problems.
4. Allow space and interact rationally and
   objectively.
5. Alleviate worry by having a clear-cut strategy.
6. Outline a tangible goal.
7. Draw on their ability to analyze.
8. 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

1. Interact by expressing your concerns and sharing
   feelings.
2. Realize the importance of recognition,
   compliments, and appreciation.
3. Show an interest and allow them to talk.
4. Expect them to get involved and interact.
5. Capitalize on Greens ease in relating to others
   and making them comfortable.
6. Count on their eager assistance.
7. Use their talent for enlivening and entertaining
   in social situations.
8. 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

1. Act, react, and respond to their initiative.
2. Challenge and confront them.
3. Be forceful, direct and straightforward.
4. Identify the need or the problem for them, and
   then hang on as they go to work.
5. Draw on their expertise in promoting change and
   new concepts.
6. Recognize their practical leadership potential
   and give support.
7. Stay involved to give additional/balancing
   viewpoints when new challenges arise.
8. 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

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

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Slogans to Live By
When in doubt, run in circles and scream and shout! Listen, Lord, your servant speaketh.
If it aint broke, dont try to fix it. Think twice, act once.
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How a Sense of Significance is Attained
Status Popularity
Security The love and respect of a few key individuals
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Negotiating Techniques
Bartering Persuasion
Facts New Ideas
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Variations of the Golden Rule
Do unto others before they do unto you. Do unto others, do unto others, do unto others.
Do unto others and report back to me. Do unto others as they do unto you.
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Motivational Needs
Plenty to do Clear-cut decisions Strong supervision Tangible benefits Discussion and debate Novelty and change Competitive relationships Independent action
To know exactly what to do Scheduled activities To feel part of the group Clearly defined authority Freedom from social demands Time for decisions Low-key direction Personal, warm relationships
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Outward (Active) BehaviorsBased on Operating
Styles -Appears
Objective about people Commanding Competitive Practical Forceful Personable Directive Outspoken Independent Enthusiastic
Sociable Orderly Cooperative Consistent Cautious Perceptive Agreeable Conscientious Reflective, creative Cautious
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Stress (Reactive Behaviors)
Acts Assertive Bossy Impatient Feels Dogmatic Narrow-minded Resistive Acts Assertive Bossy Impatient Feels Hurt Overly sensitive Guilty
Acts Submissive Withdrawn Resigned Feels Dogmatic Narrow-minded Resistive Acts Submissive Withdrawn Resigned Feels Hurt Overly sensitive Guilty
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Reactive BehaviorUnder Stress - Becomes
Unsympathetic Bossy Dogmatic Impulsive Edgy Impatient Defensive Concerned with saving face Argumentative Resistant to rules Easily side-tracked
Too factual Over-controlling Opinionated Fearful of the unexpected Resistant to change Sensitive to criticism Easily hurt Idealistic Withdrawn Hesitant to make decisions
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Conclusions 1
RED GREEN
YELLOW BLUE

• 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
RED GREEN
YELLOW BLUE

• 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.

Direct Communication
Birkman Job Strengths
Expediting Communicating
Administering Planning
Task-oriented
People-oriented
Indirect Communication