Whether you’ve already completed your Insights® Discovery training or are simply curious about the four-colour model, this article will help you understand how to use this knowledge to improve team dynamics in your workplace.

We’re going to break down the characteristic traits, strengths and blind spots of each colour energy. This should help you recognise colour energy preferences in your colleagues which is the first step to more efficient teamwork. In this article, we aim to provide concrete tips for practically applying your knowledge in any work scenario.

Before we begin, it’s worth noting that a person’s colour energy preferences are one part of their personality. Many people exhibit more than one preference and there is no “good” or “bad” energy. Here we will observe blind spots, alongside strengths, in order to provide guidance as to the most successful communication methods for each colour energy.

Fiery Red

Fiery Red energy is characterized by direct and decisive behavior. Those with a preference for this energy are task-oriented and focused on results. They are strong leaders and take charge of projects in the workplace, moving processes forward with pace. These colleagues are comfortable taking on challenges and difficult discussions.

Blind spots

Processes that feel slow and aren’t wrapped up quickly are unappealing to someone of Fiery Red energy. Their decisive style can come across as blunt or confrontational to colleagues of a more introverted nature.

Working effectively with a Fiery Red

Be concise in what you have to say and get straight to the point in meetings. Using direct language and minimizing open-ended discussions will be received well.

Sunshine Yellow

Sunshine Yellow energy is distinguished by optimism and the ability to bring a range of possibilities to the table. Your colleagues with a preference for yellow will have extraverted characteristics, be sociable, persuasive and keep team spirits high. This makes them strong at problem solving, collaborating with others and engaging everybody around them.

Blind spots

A weaker area for those with a Sunshine Yellow preference is getting carried away with their enthusiasm and underestimating or overlooking difficulties that may arise. Long-term projects that require ongoing methodical work aren’t as enjoyable to them as the initial stage of firing off lots of ideas.

Earth Green

Earth Green energy encompasses traits such as patience, empathy and being a good listener. Whilst more introverted than their counterparts, those with a green energy preference place importance on checking in on their colleagues, avoiding confrontation and they thrive in roles that require attention to detail. 

Blind spots

Earth Green leaning colleagues like their team to agree so can find it uncomfortable if a project moves forward without a 100% consensus. They tend to work at a steadier pace so can find fast, high-pressure situations stressful.

Working effectively with an Earth Green

Allow the person time to reflect before expecting a response. Emphasise at all stages of a project the effects of each choice on the team as a whole. It’s best to tackle issues in a private space.

Cool Blue

Cool Blue energy is characterized by a working style that is precise, analytical and task-oriented. People with this energy preference tend to be logical, ask many questions and want to completely understand a concept before moving forwards with a task. Methodical processes that require a high standard of accuracy are well-suited to this group.

Working effectively with a Cool Blue

Give as many precise details as possible at all stages of a task. Be specific in your requests and don’t rush them. Keep meetings to a high level of professionalism and stick to timeframes that are set.

Example scenario

To bring this to life, let’s look at a real-world scenario: a project deadline is three days away and due to certain results taking longer to gather than expected, the team is behind schedule on writing the final report. 

How might a person of each colour energy feel at this moment? 

Fiery Red: frustrated at feeling like they don’t have control of the situation and impatient to finish the task

Sunshine Yellow: easily distracted or losing interest as things are taking too long and finding it hard to focus for long hours to reach the deadline

Earth Green: anxious that the deadline won’t be reached and unhappy that blame may be placed on certain team members for the delay

Cool Blue: stressed that there is now more time pressure and the report might not be written to the highest standard

What are the best focus points for each group now?

Fiery Red: look at what is in their control, what can they do to push the remaining results forward and direct other team members to the most helpful tasks they can complete

Sunshine Yellow: keep the work environment upbeat and provide encouragement to colleagues, focus on people-centered roles that may assist in speeding up results

Earth Green: take a break to get a clear head, seek reassurance from team members that the project can still be done and continue to work on their part of the report in a calm area

Cool Blue: focus on analysing the results that are available and add the new data to the report as it comes

Taking time to think about the communication and working style of those in your team can save you time, conflict and confusion down the line.

As the first, and largest, official distributor of Insights Discovery in Switzerland, Tree Trunk Partners has spent over a decade helping individuals and teams understand and value their unique styles, and implement strategies for realizing their full potential.

Sources: https://treetrunk.ch/ and https://www.insights.com/