THE COLORFUL WORLD OF INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH 2005 SAIR Conference Mary Harrington

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

The four basic color groups: Green, Red, Yellow and Blue Caring, Thoughtful Value-based Passionate, Full of Gusto Sociable Challenging Big, Bold Focused Structured Detailed Organized

Are You Red? Strong-willed Competitive Focused Goal-oriented Demanding

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? Detailed Organized Precise Formal Prepared Analytical

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? Enthusiastic Dynamic Persuasive Demonstrative Excitable Sociable

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? Caring Encouraging Patient Relaxed Sharing 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