characteristics of Blue comm.

• Friendly

• Helpful

• Expresses emotions

• Optimistic

• Foster harmony

• Takes time to relate

• Empathetic

• Creative

• Indirect

• Reads between the lines

• Personal

• Polite & compassionate

how Blue listens“More than words”

• What’s the meaning behind the message?

• What do I see, hear, feel, about what’s being communicated?– What value is the speaker trying to

relate to me? Does it match mine?

• Message is secondary

how to communicate w/ Blue

• Acknowledge them• Let them know you

care• Pay attention to

congruency (body language)

• Include them• Patience• Listen for feeling

• Let them share what they know

• Hear them out• Show appreciation• Use gestures of

friendship• Tactful feedback• Recognize

contributions

characteristics of Gold comm.

• In writing

• Purposeful

• Appropriate

• Task focused

• Loyal

• Predictable

• Chronological

• Detail oriented

• Status quo

• Judgments

• Closure

• Accountable

how Gold listens“Devil’s in the detail”

• Chronological details

• Not “filling in the blanks”

• Listen for responsibility

• Information gathering

• Right & wrong/Appropriateness– Speaker intentions

– Speaker status within given context

how to communicate w/ Gold

• Be specific• Outline procedures• Plan ahead• Stay on target• Save surprises &

novelty• Don’t interrupt• Apologize when

appropriate

• Appeal to strong sense of right & wrong

• Acknowledge hard work

• Maintain composure• Be consistent• Recognize

contributions

characteristics Orange comm.

• Confident

• Loud

• Casual

• Desire to speak in the moment

• “Now” oriented

• Quick

• Brief

• Straightforward

• In motion

• Flexible

• Varied

• Involved

how Orange listens“Make it work”

• Looking for entertainment, impact, relevance, usefulness

• Lose interest easily if lengthy• Make interesting connections • Try to determine motives• Concerned with how to use

information now

how to communicate w/ Orange

• Be prepared to listen for straight content

• Lighten up• Use sound bites• Match their

speed• Move with them

• Appreciate their flair

• Give them an audience

• Offer options• Make it a

challenge• Recognize their

contributions

characteristics of Green comm.

• Purposeful• Private• Logical• Think before they

speak• Irritated with

“stupid questions”• Abhor redundancy• Theoretical

• Like the big picture• Love to share ideas• Ask a lot of

questions• Use big words• Communicate with

conviction• Wry sense of humor

how Green listens“Problem solved, what next?”

• Looking for information (data gathering) & purpose of communication

• Assume you want a problem solved or are providing necessary communication

• Redundancy, extreme emotion, things they aren’t interested = tune out

• Problem solving

how to communicate w/ Green

• Give time to think• Don’t misinterpret

need for info• Give big picture• Stick to logic• Watch your

vocabulary

• Notice their humor

• Debate for fun• Speak with

purpose• Understand &

heed• Recognize their

contributions

Ways you can improve your

communication with others…

Blue, maybe try…• Practicing objectivity

• Saying “No”

• Learning to hear “No”

• Speaking up

• Recognizing the difference between politeness & interest

• Finding others who communicate like you do

Gold, maybe try…• Giving in a little

• Having more patience

• Considering other options

• Practicing peripheral listening

• Accepting others

• Stepping back

Orange, maybe try…

• Being aware of how others may see you

• Waiting for a response before proceeding

• Identifying others requirements• Noticing when you’re

exaggerating• Focusing when listening to others

Orange, try…

• Pausing before commenting

• Recognizing others

• Using softeners when making requests or giving direction

• Making a decision & sticking to it

• Finding other oranges

Green, maybe try…• Being more aware of what people are asking

of you (details or no details)?• Tempering your “why”• Making room for others emotions• Paying attention to other people’s needs• Listening without fixing• Acknowledging others’ intent• Not debating• Making time for your relationships• Letting others know what’s going on with you

How is this color displayed in your

work life?

How is the color displayed in your personal life?

What do you like about your color?

What do you dislike about it?

How do others misunderstand you? What’s that like for you?

What do others need to know about working with you?

“The thing you need to know about our color is…”

“We know you don’t understand it, but here’s why we…”

“You need us in your group because we…”

What do you value in your communication with others?

What’s important to you when people are

communicating with you?

How do you approach communicating with others?

What do you need to remember to be careful about

when communicating with others?

How do you listen?

What would this group value in their communication with others?

What would you assume this group sees as the purpose of communication?

What would be a “turn off” to this person when you are communicating with them?

What is the correlation between communication and the relationship of the communicators?

When this group is listening to you, what do you think they are listening for?