Showing Our True Colors

The last time I took a personality test and was compared to Saddam Hussein, I decided no more tests! Well, yesterday at our DOVIA meeting (Directors of Volunteers in Agencies) we did a group exercise using the True Colors Personality Perspective. Thankfully, instead of just comparing people with rogue dictators (as the case may be), this test actually has useful objectives. It's suppose to help us understand the differences, unique skills and values in self and others, as well as how to better communicate with them. As an ice breaker, we had to individually list a few things that others do at work that frustrate us. Then we had to prioritize lists of adjectives that describe us from best to least. That determined our personality color, and we were divided into like groups...either gold, green, blue, or orange (I'm a gold). Then in our color groups, we had to identify five strengths and five stressers, things that others do that cause us stress. It was fun to see how each color groups' answers compared with the personality test lists. We were pretty much on target. Golds' core value is responsibility, and our characteristics are: prepared, detailed oriented, strong sense of duty, conscientious, belief in policies, well-organized, conservative, and loyal. Given that, it's no surprise that our stresses include: people who are always late, flaky people, slobs, inefficiency, unreliable people, procrastinators, waiting, and inconsistency. Yeah, I'm definitely a gold...with green overtones (core value is competency). We went through this whole process for each of the four color groups, then looked at how each personality type uses their strengths to contribute to an organization. I found it interesting that some companies actually include this in their pre-employment screening, so as to maintain a healthy and productive balance among their employees. I have to admit that we golds do have our weaknesses, so it's nice to have a few blues around to offer praise, provide optimism and empathy; greens for problem solving, technological understanding and logic; and oranges for trouble shooting, negotiating, and adding fun to projects. The bottom line is that all personalities are important for the success of an organization, so it's important to understand and appreciate our respective strengths and weaknesses.