THE COLORFUL WORLD OF

INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH2005 SAIR Conference

Mary Harringtonccmary@olemiss.edu

Source

Excerpted from presentation by

The Diagonal Group

ASUG, April 2004

Agenda

Recognizing the four colors of people

Communicating in color Dealing with colorful

clashes Color quiz

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The four basic color groups:Green, Red, Yellow and Blue

Caring, ThoughtfulValue-based

Passionate, Full of GustoSociable

ChallengingBig, BoldFocused

Structured

Detailed

Organized

Are You Red?

Strong-willedCompetitive

FocusedGoal-orientedDemanding

Red Talents

Sets clear goals Is direct with team Presents ideas with

absolute certainty Provides fast response to

team Brings energy and

momentum to project

Red Challenges

In a hurry to identify solution May not listen to others May intimidate others May move on before

finalizing details (80/20 rule) May be too single-minded May dominate meetings

Are You Blue?

DetailedOrganized

PreciseFormal

PreparedAnalytical

Blue Talents

Excellent fact-finder Allows team time to

consider options Pays attention to detail Provides pertinent data Plays “devil’s advocate”

Blue Challenges May appear cold, dispassionate May provide information overload May ask too many questions May be uncomfortable in

unstructured setting May be irritated by disorganized

team members

Are You Yellow?

EnthusiasticDynamic

PersuasiveDemonstrative

ExcitableSociable

Yellow Talents

Brings energy and enthusiasm

Socializes and inspires Makes meetings positive and

upbeat Takes creative approach Brings optimism to team

Yellow Challenges

May focus too much on “big picture”

May lose interest in project May not follow through May make promise that can’t

be kept May not respect deadlines

Are You Green?

CaringEncouraging

PatientRelaxedSharing

Trustworthy

Green Talents

Maintains long-term relationships with team

Listens well Takes collaborative approach Brings voice of reason to team Ensures best interests of all

Green Challenges

May be seen as hesitant May avoid confrontation May take path of least

resistance May appear to lack passion May be seen as slow to

respond

Colorful Words to Live By

Let’s do it TOGETHER

Let’s do it RIGHT

Let’s do it with ENTHUSIASM

Let’s do it NOW

Communicating in Color

Communicating with Reds

DO Be brief, be bright, be

gone Be direct Focus on results

DON’T Hesitate or waffle Try to take over Focus on feelings

Communicating with Blues

DO Be well prepared Be thorough Provide details Put things in writing Be a good listener

DON’T Waste time

brainstorming Provide executive

summary Ask for a quick decision Be flippant on issues Get too close or hug me

Communicating with Yellows

DO Be entertaining Be friendly and sociable Be open and flexible

DON’T Bore with details Ask to work alone Tie down with routine

Communicating with Greens

DO Be patient and

supportive Give time to respond Ask for opinion Show you care

DON’T Spring last minute

surprises Take advantage of good

nature Gossip or malign

Communicating in Color

Be acutely aware of other person’s color

Recognize you may have to become opposite color in order to accomplish goal

Learn to balancing both colors

Dealing with Stress

Dealing with Red Stress

Stress Source:

Indecisiveness

Wasted time

Out of control

First Response:

Aggressive

Demanding

Irritable, Autocratic

Max Stress:

Withdrawn

Offended

Misunderstood

Stress Remedy:

Place back in control

Time out

Fast action

Dealing with Blue Stress

Stress Source:

Lack of structure

Poor quality

Trivialization

First Response:

Withdrawn

Split hairs

Hesitate

Max Stress:

Lose control

Get emotional and unfocused

Become passionate

Stress Remedy:

Provide structure

Analyze the issues

Time out

Dealing with Yellow Stress

Stress Source:

Rejection

No fun, boredom

Working alone

First Response:

Emotional

Indiscrete

Hasty

Max Stress:

Ice cold

No emotion, detached

Clean freak

Stress Remedy:

Distraction

Fellowship

Outside the box

Dealing with Green Stress

Stress Source:

Values violation

Unfair treatment (self and others)

Unrealistic expectations

First Response:

Hurt feelings

Self-doubt

Rumination

Stubbornness

Max Stress:

Angry outburst

Nasty, autocratic

Critical, demanding

Stress Remedy:

Sincerity

Restoration of trust

Personal contact

Colorful Conclusion

Communicate in Color

Think in Color

Respond In Color

Listen in Color