By Beth Allen
Pretty early in the life of a newly created Banner Imaging, our CEO had our senior leadership team participate in a Real Colors workshop. This workshop uses a personality type test that identifies where you fall in regard to four “color” profiles. According to the realcolors.org website, this information can be used to “understand human behavior; uncover motivators to each temperament and improve communication with others.”
There are four personality types common to all people – Gold, Green, Blue and Orange.
Our workshop guide explained these types using an analogy of the implementation of the space program.
Gold is for the executives in charge of the program. Responsible, organized, respect the rules.
Green is for the engineers that will get the details right. Logical, analytical, focused.
Blue is for the media that will share the news. Emotionally driven, creative, enthusiastic.
Orange is or the astronauts. Adventurous, competitive, welcomes change.
It all starts with a small booklet with a series of tests that will help identify which color traits are most prevalent to each individual. Of course, we all have a little bit of each color but usually one or two are more dominant. The workshop presenter helped us understand each of the colors better. We split into groups based on our dominant color and it was hysterical to see how we all performed the tasks we were asked to do exactly as we would be expected to.
We had to make lists of qualities each group found important. The gold group put those lists in two organized rows, basic and to the point. The green team was very specific, and the answers were not always as expected. The blue list was all over the paper – not really in a list. All the different colors of markers were used and I believe there were a few “i”s dotted with a heart. The orange team was quick to complete the task. I just remember that it involved something about most likely to jump out of a plane.
We did this again for our extended leader team. It has been very beneficial to understand which color each of these leaders identify with. This is helpful when trying to assign projects. Who has the skills that will get this to the done bin the most efficiently? We know better what to expect from each other. We understand why someone may react in a certain way. It also helps to identify the colors of our team members and what each individual needs from their leader to be successful.
Our health system has found benefit in this program to help encourage better communication and collaboration. Some of us have a banner beneath our email signature to help those we are communicating with understand which color we are so we can find a way to work together more efficiently.
We are getting ready to send another group of emerging leaders through this training. I love to guess which color someone is prior to training and then find out if I am correct. So far, I have usually been right.
To be successful, we need all the colors. Think back to the space program analogy. All parts of that team are important, and we are not all cut out for each of those jobs. Thank goodness that our team has “gold” people to manage the spreadsheets and it isn’t left to me. Not that I can’t do it if I must. I just won’t like it. I am blue, followed by orange, then green and not a lot of gold. I am not your spreadsheet person.
I will handle the “people” stuff. I am sure that has been apparent in these columns. I do think this training has been a big benefit to our team, especially when we were putting together a new company. We still discuss the color types, and it has been three years since we did the training. We are investing in this workshop for our new leaders to equip them for success. It is presented in a dynamic, entertaining format and definitely worth the time. I recommend you check out the website for more information.
Thanks for all you do!
Beth Allen, RT(R)(CT), CRA, is the director, clinical operations at Banner Imaging.
