Describe Yourself: In the rows of boxes below are groups of words. Score each row of
words, giving yourself (4) for the most like you, (3) for second, (2) for third, and (1) for
least like you. When you’re done, add the columns to determine your color.
Row One
A__________
Active
Opportunistic
Spontaneous
B__________
Parental
Traditional
Responsible
C__________
Authentic
Harmonious
Compassionate
D__________
Versatile
Inventive
Competent
Row Two
E__________
Curious
Conceptual
Knowledgeable
F__________
Unique
Empathetic
Communicative
G__________
Practical
Sensible
Dependable
H__________
Competitive
Impetuous
Impactful
Row Three
I__________
Loyal
Conservative
Organized
J__________
Devoted
Warm
Poetic
K__________
Realistic
Open-minded
Adventuresome
L__________
Theoretical
Seeking
Impactful
Row Four
M__________
Concerned
Procedural
Cooperative
N__________
Daring
Impulsive
Fun
O__________
Tender
Inspirational
Dramatic
P__________
Determined
Complex
Composed
Row Five
Q__________
Philosophical
Principled
Rational
R__________
Vivacious
Affectionate
Sympathetic
S__________
Exciting
Courageous
Skillful
T__________
Orderly
Conventional
Caring
(A, H, K, N, S) ___________________
Orange
(C, F, J, O, R) ____________________
Blue
(B, G, I, M, T) _________________
Gold
(D, E, L, P, Q) _________________
Green
Organizers and Idea Doers
I need to feel unique and authentic.
ENTHUSIASTIC, SYMPATHETIC, PERSONAL
I look for meaning and significance in life.
WARM, COMMUNICATIVE, COMPASSIONATE
I need to contribute, to encourage, and to care.
IDEALISTIC, SPIRITUAL, SINCERE
I value integrity and unity in relationships.
PEACEFUL, FLEXIBLE, IMAGINATIVE
I am a natural romantic, a poet, and a nurturer.
CHARACTERISTICS:
• Asks questions – Blues always want to know what is going on, at every moment.
• Easy going – Blues are very laid back. They don’t let many things phase them and if
anything did, you wouldn’t know it.
• Open – Blues feel comfortable around people. They would rather be
around others as opposed to time alone. You will rarely see these people
alone.
• Likeable
• Expect harmony
• Need appreciation
• Work carefully with others
• Love to visit – This drives Green’s crazy! Blues are the people that go
group to group checking on everybody and seeing what they’re up to.
• Hates conflict – They will do anything to avoid it, even to the point that
others will often use them.
• Know people everywhere – Blues will walk across campus and say hello to
everyone by name.
AT WORK:
I have a strong desire to influence others so they may lead more significant lives. I often
work in the arts, communications, education, and the helping professions. I am adept at
motivating and interacting with others.
IN LOVE:
I seek harmonious relationships. I am a true romantic and believe in perfect love that
lasts forever. I bring drama, warmth, and empathy to all relationships. I enjoy the
symbols of romance such as flowers, candlelight, and music, and cherish the small
gestures of love.
IN CHILDHOOD:
I was extremely imaginative and found it difficult to fit into the structure of school life. I
reacted with great sensitivity to discordance or rejection and sought recognition. I
responded to encouragement rather than to competition.
RELATING:
• Blues internalize conflict
• Blues make chit-chat visits
• Blues like small talk
• Blues love to network
• Blues make friendships that last forever
• Blues always avoid conflict
• Blues are selective about touching
THINGS TO BE AWARE OF:
• Blues will not deal with conflict.
• Blues sometimes take things too personally
• Blues initiate everything
• Blues are sometimes too cautious.
• Conflict causes tension for blues.
FAMOUS QUOTES
• “I’ll take care of it.” (touches self)
• “You’re going to work together and love it, damn it!”
• “Let’s go to lunch, and soon!”
• “I have a comment on that.”
Theme Song – “Don’t Worry be Happy”
Analyzers & Idea Perfectors
I need to follow rules and respect authority.
LOYAL, DEPENDABLE, PREPARED
I have a strong sense of what is right and wrong in life.
THOROUGH, SENSIBLE, PUNCTUAL
I need to be useful and to belong.
FAITHFUL, STABLE, ORGANIZED
I value home, family, and tradition.
CARING, CONCERNED, CONCRETE
I am a natural preserver, a parent, and a helper.
CHARACTERISTICS:
• Study in the library – Golds are the ones who give you dirty looks by peering over
their books.
• Ask questions – Golds are curious and want to know all the information possible –
not to be nosy, but rather to be informed.
• Fact-oriented – These people deal with the definite, tangible things.
• Structured / Keep to schedules – This is religion to Golds. Their
calendars are their bibles.
• Prefer to work alone.
• Policy / Procedure accurate – Golds will not deviate from a set
plan, no innovation
• Greens and Golds ask “who hired this person.”
• Will not say something if it has already been said – They are
stereotyped as not wanting to get involved, but they think it is a
waste to be repetitious.
• Very high standards – They will not lower them for anyone.
• Very private people
• Get frustrated by small talk
• Expect accuracy
AT WORK:
I provide stability and can maintain organization. My ability to handle details and to
work hard makes me the backbone of many organizations. I believe that work comes
before play, even if I must work overtime to complete the job.
IN LOVE:
I am serious and tend to have traditional, conservative views of both love and marriage. I
want a mate who can work along with me, building a secure, predictable life together. I
demonstrate love and affection through the practical things I do for my loved ones.
IN CHILDHOOD:
I wanted to follow the rules and regulations of the school. I understood and respected
authority and was comfortable with academic routine. I was the easiest of all types of
children to adapt to the educational system.
RELATING:
• Golds don’t like to be touched, but won’t tell you.
• Golds are private and allow very few in their “inner circle.”
• Golds are worriers.
• Golds won’t volunteer.
• Golds are comfortable within the bounds of policy and structure.
THINGS TO BE AWARE OF:
• Golds have an expectation of accuracy.
• Golds will not take time for themselves.
• Golds are worriers.
• Giving or getting wrong information causes tension for Golds.
FAMOUS QUOTES:
• “Do we have enough money?”
• “Let’s please get back on track.”
• “Yes, I have made a mistake … once.”
• “If someone asks me one more time how things are going, I’ll scream.”
Golds’ Motto: “If you do it, do it right!”
Persuaders & Idea Promoters
I act on a moment’s notice.
WITTY, CHARMING, SPONTANEOUS
I consider life as a game, here and now.
IMPULSIVE, GENEROUS, IMPACTFUL
I need fun, variety, stimulation, and excitement.
OPTIMISTIC, EAGER, BOLD
I value skill, resourcefulness, and courage.
PHYSICAL, IMMEDIATE, FRATERNAL
I am a natural trouble-shooter, a performer, and a competitor.
CHARACTERISTICS:
• Like people – Oranges are never alone for an extended period of time.
• Positive/optimistic – Oranges are the people that get on your nerves by always saying
“the glass is half full.” Sometimes, this causes them to have a death warrant
sworn out on them by other people.
• Wants to be liked – Of course we all do, but oranges especially need this to
be effective. Whereas greens don’t care if you like them, only respect
them.
• Boisterous – Oranges are always those heard in a crowd.
• Need recognition – Oranges need reassurance of doing a
good job and get discouraged if their work goes unnoticed.
• Make quick decisions – Often, decisions are made spur of the
moment, on instinct and … are often right.
• Bold/impulsive – Oranges are sometimes irrational.
• Expect freedom – Oranges hate to follow a set plan or go by the
status quo.
• Flexible
• Great verbal skills – They are passionate and emotional.
• Touchy-Feely – Greens and Golds hate this!
• Will go crazy in a secluded office – these are not 9-5, sit behind a desk people. They
must constantly be in action.
AT WORK:
I am bored and restless with jobs that are routine and structured. I am satisfied in careers
that allow me independence and freedom, while utilizing my physical coordination and
my love of tools. I view any kind of tool as an extension of self. I am a natural
performer.
IN LOVE:
I seek a relationship with shared activities and interests. With my mate, I like to explore
new ways to energize the relationship. I need to be bold and thrive on physical contact. I
enjoy giving extravagant gifts that bring obvious pleasure to my loved ones.
IN CHILDHOOD:
Of all types of children I had the most difficult time fitting into the academic routine. I
learn by doing and experiencing, rather than by listening and reading. I need physical
involvement in the learning process and am motivated by my own natural competitive
nature and sense of fun.
RELATING:
• Oranges love to touch and energize others.
• Oranges are those “with a smile.”
• Oranges like to entertain. These are people who are always throwing parties.
• Oranges live a “credit card lifestyle.” They are impulsive.
THINGS TO BE AWARE OF:
• Oranges are poor organizers (sometimes).
• Oranges make a lot of promises.
• Oranges need constant attention.
• Oranges cannot stand rejection.
FAMOUS QUOTES
• “Why don’t you like me?”
• “If it feels good, do it.”
• “I like people.”
• “Come in, we’re having a party.”
• “I have a comment on that.”
• “I’m not easy, but we can discuss it.”
• “I’m sorry.”
Theme song – “Wild Thing”
Controllers & Idea Generators
I seek knowledge and understanding.
ANALYTICAL, GLOBAL, CONCEPTUAL
I live life by my own standards.
COOL, CALM, COLLECTED
I need explanations and answers.
INVENTIVE, LOGICAL, PERFECTIONISTIC
I value intelligence, insight, fairness, and justice.
ABSTRACT, HYPOTHETICAL,
INVESTIGATIVE
I am a natural nonconformist, a visionary, and a problem solver
CHARACTERISTICS:
• Want action/change – these people do not have the ability to just sit back and watch.
If they see a problem then they want it fixed now! Also, if they see that whoever is in
charge is not accomplishing this, they will take over.
• Have strong opinions – they will also let you hear them.
• Need to be in charge – Like it was stated before, these people cannot just sit in the
background.
• Decisive – There is no wavering. Greens are very strong in their convictions.
• Expect efficiency – Greens despise waste – wasted time, wasted motion, and they
hate people who use one hundred words when ten would suffice.
• Expect results – To a green, the final goal is all that matters. Do not come back
without results; and remember, no excuses!
• Work fast alone – Too many people around disrupt their train of thought.
• Difficult to intimidate – Don’t even try this.
• Like conflict/Like a good fight – Greens thrive on this. This is when they are at their
best. When their backs are up against the wall, greens come out swinging and they
take no prisoners.
• Think-ahead people – Greens are always thinking two steps ahead of everyone else.
They usually have a plan for as long as a year in advance.
• Ability to separate facts and feelings – Greens can put their emotions aside. To them,
all that matters is achieving the stated goal. As a result, they are often viewed as cold.
• Get the job done – they do this at all costs. Business like
• Demanding – Yet, greens will not ask more than they are willing to do. Often, they
will get down and d the drudge work. They love it.
AT WORK:
I am conceptual and an independent thinker. For me, work is play. I am drawn to
constant challenge in careers and like to develop models, explore ideas, or build systems
to satisfy my need to deal with the innovative. Once I have perfected an idea, I prefer to
move on, leaving the project to be maintained and supported by others.
IN LOVE:
I prefer to let my head rule my heart. I dislike repetition, so it is difficult for me to
continuously express feelings. I believe that once feelings are stated, they are obvious to
a partner. I am uneasy when my emotions control me: I want to establish a relationship,
let it maintain itself, and turn my energies back to my career.
IN CHILDHOOD:
I appeared to be older than my years and focused on my greatest interests, achieving in
subjects that were mentally stimulating. I was impatient with drill and routine,
questioned authority, and had to respect teachers before I could learn from them.
RELATING:
• Greens hate to be touched (and they will tell you so).
• Greens do not need pats on the back.
• Greens have high and clear expectations and standards.
THINGS TO BE AWARE OF:
• Greens may have poor listening skills – This, however, is often a stereotype. Greens
usually have researched the topic of discussion and already know what the other
person is going to say.
• Slow talkers drive greens crazy.
• Greens easily disregard feelings and are viewed as insensitive.
• A lack of control causes tension for ones.
FAMOUS QUOTES:
• “What do you mean you don’t like my idea?”
• “The buck stops here!”
• “You can talk to me … but don’t touch me?”
• “Dead horses deserve to be beat into the ground.”
• “You’ll get over it.”
And the ever popular…
• “I don’t like you, and I don’t have to.”
Greens are people who create ideas and delegate others to do it and are unable to let loose
of the reins. They must play an active role in the everyday on goings of the organization.
There is little B.S. to these people.
There is no “right” style.
A good team will contain all styles.
To be a good leader, it is important to understand your teams’ needs.
Understanding your own style will help you identify areas of strength and weakness.
All four styles are part of your personality.
One style may be more dominant than the others, yet we can work to develop
characteristics of other styles to improve our own leadership abilities.
Green (controllers and idea generators): Strength in achieving results and
accomplishments
+
Orange (persuaders and idea promoters): Strength in creating involvement and
enthusiasm
+
Blue (organizers and idea doers): Strength in forging relationships and bringing
stability to a group
+
Gold (analyzers and idea perfectors): Strength in promoting precision and accuracy
TEAM EFFECTIVENESS: A BALANCE AND PARTNERSHIP OF DIFFERENT
LEADERSHIP STYLES
Area of Life
Green
Orange
Blue
Gold
Intelligent about:
Strategies
Our senses
People
Material, information
When disturbed
becomes/begins:
Seeks:
Compulsive
A “little parent”
Emotional
Complaining
Problems
Stimulation
Belonging
Security
Injustice
Clumsiness
Hypocrisy
Disobedience
Fair things
Action
Honesty
Orderliness
Lacks will power
Experiences
cowardliness
Lets another down
Experiences greed
The illogical
Told how to do
something
Impersonal treatment
Rules are ignored
Wisdom is affirmed
Freedom is given
Acceptance
Service is appreciated
Dislikes:
Loves:
Feels guilt when:
Irritated by/when:
Rewarded
by/when: