1. Activity to learn about yourself and others.
True Colors
Activity to learn about yourself and others.

2. What is the purpose of True Colors?
Learn to appreciate and understand differences in people
Learn about your own personality and tendencies
Learn to work better with people in groups
Learn how to communicate more efficiently

3. How does True Colors work?
4 True Colors represent personality groups
Word Sort scores indicate your primary and secondary color
Top scores = preferred personality style
Everyone has at least a bit of all colors

4. True Colors: Green “Why?”
Concise communication; precise, not repetitive
Logical; rational
Seek to understand the world
Look for intellectual stimulation
Need to be competent; intelligent
Enjoy interesting discussions
Require intellectual freedom; visionary
Sometimes socially detached
Calm, not emotional
Curious; creative
Believe work is play
Question authority; seeking-justice
Drawn to technical occupations
Innovator; able to find flaws
Push selves to improve
Focus on the future
Seek perfection in play
Bring innovation to society
Abstract thinker
Slow to make decisions

5. True Colors: Green See Self As: Others See: Superior intelligence
Always right
Rational
Great planner
Calm, collected
Objective
Others See:
Intellectual snob
Arrogant
Unfeeling
Afraid to open up
Fault finding
Doesn’t consider people in plans

6. True Colors: Orange “Just Do It” Dynamic, animated communicators
Free and spontaneous
Competitive
Impulsive risk-takers
Deal with the here and now; great in emergency
Active
Optimistic
Bold in relationships
Resist commitment
Generous
Can deal with chaos
Difficulty finding acceptance
Hands-on
Like to be the center of attention
Enjoys living in a casual atmosphere; fun-loving
Great endurance
Welcomes new ideas
Drawn to action jobs
Bring excitement to society
Need variety, flexible

7. True Colors: Orange See Self As: Others See: Fun-loving Carefree
Flexible
Practical
Problem-Solver
Does many things at once
Others See:
Irresponsible
Flaky
Not serious
Indecisive
Disobeys rules
Scattered

8. True Colors: Gold “Be Prepared” Prepare for the future
Inclined to join groups
Stable; dependable
Believe work comes before play
Need to be useful
Protect tradition
Want to be self-sufficient
Prefer order and cleanliness
Value organization and efficiency
Responsible and dedicated
Drawn to respected occupations
Punctual
Schedule their lives
Enjoy positions of authority
Make and keep commitments
Desire structure
Strong work ethic
Bring stability to society
Goal-oriented
Value rules

9. True Colors: Gold See Self As Others See Stable Dependable Efficient
Realistic
Decisive
Orderly
Good planner
Punctual, expects same
Others See
Controlling
Bossy
Dull
Unimaginative
Judgmental
Uptight
Opinionated

10. True Colors: Blue “How does that make you feel?”
Nurture people, plants/animals
Caretaker
Look beyond the surface
In search of themselves
Share emotions; empathic
Need to feel unique
Make decisions based on feelings
Must be true to themselves
Warm; compassionate; loving
Need harmony
Value close relationships; likes people
Adaptable
Drawn to literature
Great communicator
Drawn to helping, nurturing careers
Desire quality time with loved ones
Work tirelessly for a cause
Need opportunities to be creative
Idealistic
Bring unity to society
Compromise and cooperate

11. True Colors: Blue See Self As Others See Warm, Compassionate
Likes to please people
Trusting
Creative
Spiritual
Idealistic
People person
Unselfish
Others See
Overemotional
Too trusting
Mushy
Too nice
Talks too much
Creates chaos
Illogical

12. True Colors: When they talk they…
Blue:
Loves to talk
Direct and honest
Talk about feelings
Avoids conflict
Pays attention to non-verbal cues
Green:
Relies on facts
Asks many questions
Says things only once
Avoids small talk
Argues both sides of issues
Worries they are not understood
Orange:
Says just the right thing
Dominates conversation
Gets right to the point
Makes quick decisions
Creates excitement
Focuses on results
Gold:
Uses clear and precise language
Cuts small talk
Keeps conversation in order
Talks about responsibilities
Focuses on efficiency
Wants to follow an agenda/plan

13. True Colors: When you talk to a ___ be sure to…
Blue:
Relate what you are saying to feelings
Avoid open criticism
Put people’s needs ahead of procedures
Be honest and genuine
Leave room for input/questions
Keep your promises
Green:
Use clear and precise language
Use logic to support your ideas
Get right to the point
Keep the conversation relevant
Ask meaningful questions
Talk about possibilities
Orange:
Cut to the heart of the problem
Be bold and say what is on your mind
Focus on action
Talk about results
Keep the conversation lively
Gold:
Give straightforward direction
Use references to the past/traditions
Do not get sidetracked
Keep the conversation in order
Follow and agenda
Talk about responsibilities

14. True Colors: Problem Solving
Blue:
What are the values involved?
How will people involved react to the outcome?
Green:
What are the pros and cons?
What are the logical consequences?
What is the consequence of not acting?
Orange:
What are the possibilities?
What are other ways to solve the problem?
Gold:
What are the facts?
What exactly is the situation?
What has been done?
What are others doing?

15. What is the True Color?
Sam chose a large highly-ranked public university primarily for financial aid. She first loved the excitement of campus life and football weekends although she felt out of place at parties--like an observer. She preferred reading novels to parties, or talking with one student in a quiet setting. Large lecture classes with 600 students overwhelmed her; she was uncomfortable asking questions. Sam hated multiple choice tests and she rarely had to write papers-- which she loved. Her roommate stayed out late partying and Sam missed the close knit support in her high school. Although she made the dean’s list, she did not return the second semester.

16. Sam’s True Color Sam’s primary color is Blue
Needs time for self; the outside environment can be overwhelming—needs small groups
Needs affirmation and support with strong advising

17. What is the True Color?
BEN, now in his first year at an art institute, had art eight hours a day. He wished he had considered other majors like theater or education, or a college with more majors, but his parents were successful artists. Most students commuted to the institute; his dorm was a boarding house that emptied on Thursday night. He missed the camaraderie of his high school teams and the radio station where he had been a DJ. His roommate practically “lived” in the art studio, and Ben wished he had friends to hang out with.

18. Ben’s True Color Ben’s brightest colors are Orange/Blue
Makes quick decisions to close out choices
Need for affiliation, friends, and campus support
Lack of career exploration
Bored with early career limitations

19. What is the True Color?
Cam applied to 18 “top” colleges, worrying more about getting in to the best school than finding a good match. At the accepted student open houses, most described how wonderful their college was and how great it was to be in the Class of He gained little understanding about which college was the best fit for him. At one school, reps facilitated discussions about how to make a good personal decision about college and what qualities this college had that matched his interests and style. He learned his type, and he met students with similar colors. Cam reevaluated the colleges based on their colors. He chose a roommate from his brightest color group and reconsidered his early choice of becoming a computer engineer by investigating blue and orange majors.

20. Cam’s True Color Cam’s brightest colors are Blue/Orange and Green
Unable to narrow down choices
Unfamiliar with his Blue and Orange needs
Needed specialized college counseling to structure his search

21. Inventory Complete the Word Sort Rank the word groups in the row
4 = most like you
3 = a lot like you
2 = somewhat like you
1 = least like you
Scoring
Transfer each rank next to the corresponding letter in the scoring section.
Add the values across each row
Highest score is your primary color!