Colors and Collaboration

Color Survey True Colors is a personality test developed to facilitate understanding about your time management style and those of the people you work with. You completed a survey and your results indicated which color profile you resemble the most. Look at the characteristics listed on the next slide, and decide which color best describes you.

Color Characteristics: Time Management GOLD BLUE ORANGE GREEN Pays attention to details Relationships are the first priority Wants things done now, but may have a tendency to wait until the last minute. Views time in an objective orderly way. Plans ahead and is well prepared. Is punctual and predictable. Makes decisions about time based on how others are affected Frequently underestimates how long it will take to do something. Sees the whole picture as well as the individual parts. Is accurate in estimating how much time is needed to do something. May fall behind on work because s/he takes on other people’s problems. Is rarely on time for appointments. Is good at creating strategies for completing individual tasks according to priority. Prefers to work on and finish one project at a time. Is frequently over-committed. Likes working on several things at once; thrives on change and hates routine. Wants to make decisions based on facts; needs time to review all the information. Color Characteristics: Time Management Time management and prioritizing

Your Color Is… Gather with your fellow-(greens, blues, golds, oranges)…

In Childhood… GOLD BLUE ORANGE GREEN I wanted to follow the rules and regulations at school. I was extremely imaginative and found it difficult to fit into the structure of school life. I had a difficult time fitting into an academic routine. I seemed older than my years, and would focus on subjects that were interesting to me. I understood and respected authority and was comfortable with academic routine. I reacted with great sensitivity to discordance or rejection and sought recognition. I learned by experiencing and doing, rather than by listening and reading. I was impatient with drills and routines. I adapted easily to the educational system. I responded to encouragement rather than competition. I was motivated by my own competitive nature and sense of fun. I questioned authority and needed to respect a teacher in order to learn from him/her. In Childhood… Does this describe you? Is there another color you think more closely captures your experience/personality as a kid?

At Work… GOLD BLUE ORANGE GREEN I provide stability and can maintain organization. I want to influence others so they may lead more significant lives. I am bored and restless with jobs that are routine and structured. I am conceptual and an independent thinker. I can handle details, and I work hard. I am drawn to the arts, communication, education, and helping professions. I am satisfied when I have independence and freedom in my work. I am drawn to constant challenges in careers. I like to develop models, explore ideas, and build systems. I believe that work comes before play, even if I must work overtime to complete a task. I am adept at motivating and interacting with others. I am a natural performer. Once I have perfected an idea, I prefer to move on and leave the project to be maintained and supported by others. At Work… How closely does this describe you at work? In what ways do these characteristics manifest themselves in your work? In what ways are you not like your color description?

Common Stressors… GOLD BLUE ORANGE GREEN Lack of follow-through, not adhering to schedule or plans. Missing deadlines, not enough time to complete tasks. Conflict, isolation, rejection. Lack of freedom or choices, feeling trapped; routine. Overly sensitive people, emotional outbursts. Small talk and chit-chat. Mistakes and ineptitude in self and others. Change—especially frequent, unplanned, or unanticipated. Interruptions, lack of consistency, leadership or master plan. Being “used” or taken advantage of. Lack of acknowledgement or appreciation. Details, paperwork; indecisiveness; waiting, slow actions. Lack of independent thinking, lack of mental stimulation; redundancy and routine. Nothing new to look forward to. Unclear expectations, lack of rules, instructions or guidelines, not knowing where they fit. Apathy, insincerity, negativity. Not being able to use their skills; forced to keep quiet or not participate. Policies and procedures that block progress; people who don’t try to solve things before seeking help; made to look incompetent. Common stressors… Does this fit your list of pet peeves? How do these circumstances present themselves at work? How do you navigate these stressors when you encounter them? How closely does this describe you at work? In what ways do these characteristics manifest themselves in your work? In what ways are you not like your color description?

Working with other colors… Now go find your team (SDTeams by letter, others by function)

On a Bad Day, You… GOLD BLUE ORANGE GREEN Complain and exhibit self-pity; feel anxiety and worry. Bend the truth to save face; may exhibit attention-getting misbehavior. Break rules intentionally; quit or drop out. Become indecisive; display perfectionism due to performance anxiety. Tend toward depression and fatigue; may have psychosomatic problems. Might engage in withdrawal, day-dreaming. Exhibit defiance; act out boisterously. Refuse to comply or cooperate; become extremely aloof and withdrawn. Make malicious judgements about yourself or others; react with authoritarianism and phobic reactions. May cry or feel depressed; exhibit passive resistance; start yelling and screaming. Fudge the truth or cut corners; exhibit verbal or physical aggression. Indulge in highly critical attitudes toward yourself or others; communicate with sarcasm. On a bad day, you… In what ways do you use your leadership style to support your colleagues and grow professionally? Are there other areas at work that you can contribute?

Strategies for working with… GOLD BLUE ORANGE GREEN Be punctual. Establish a clearly defined goal for your meeting. Have metrics for success. Be optimistic. Focus on the good that the solution will do. Project energy and enthusiasm. Be action-oriented. Start with the big picture to gain consensus on goals. Identify the needs, problems, and challenges. Be dependable. Commit only to what you can do, and if you commit, do it. Be sincere and sensitive to how your statements are received. Test for buy-in and significance. Clearly identify the positive results of utilizing your product or service. Present a written plan beforehand and allow time for them to consider your ideas. Come prepared but ready to modify if necessary. Work out the details before you present it. Arrange your presentation logically, and include pros and cons. Include people’s feelings among the factors to be considered. Present the team-building aspect of your solution. Thank your team for their contributions. Identify the full spectrum of possibilities, from the risky ones to the conservative options and let them choose. Demonstrate how your solutions are visionary, creative, innovative. Make sure the solution is logical, solves the problem, and gives good answers. Strategies for working with… In what ways do you use your leadership style to support your colleagues and grow professionally? Are there other areas at work that you can contribute?

Leadership style… GOLD BLUE ORANGE GREEN Models and expects punctuality, order, loyalty. Solicits opinions and perspectives from team members. Has a democratic, unstructured approach. Flexible approach, makes work fun and expects others to do the same. Expects intelligence, competence, and follow-through. Develops detailed, thorough approaches with clear expectations and roles for team members. Works to develop others’ potential, expects others to develop to their potential. Welcomes change, expects quick action. Assumes task relevancy, seeks ways to improve systems and eliminate inefficiency. Deliberate and intentional about making changes. Assumes a “family spirit,” oriented toward the fulfillment of individuals. Performance oriented, and constantly re-evaluating—works in the “here and now.” Encourages change for improvement, constantly in the process of change. Leadership style… In what ways do you use your leadership style to support your colleagues and grow professionally? Are there other areas at work that you can contribute?

Reflections?