True Colors Activity to learn about yourself and

+ True Colors Activity to learn about yourself and others.

+ What is the purpose of True Colors? n Learn to appreciate and understand differences in people n Learn about your own personality and tendencies n Learn to work better with people in groups n Learn how to communicate more efficiently

+ How does True Colors work? n 4 True Colors represent personality groups n Word Sort scores indicate your primary and secondary color n n Top scores = preferred personality style Everyone has at least a bit of all colors

+ True Colors: Green n “Why? ” n Logical; rational n n Seek to understand the world n Need to be competent; intelligent n n n Require intellectual freedom; n visionary n n Curious; creative n Question authority; seeking-justice n n n Push selves to improve n n Seek perfection in play n n Abstract thinker n Slow to make decisions n Concise communication; precise, not repetitive Look for intellectual stimulation Enjoy interesting discussions Sometimes socially detached Calm, not emotional Believe work is play Drawn to technical occupations Innovator; able to find flaws Focus on the future Bring innovation to society

+ True Colors: Green n See Self As: n Others See: n Superior intelligence n Intellectual snob n Always right n Arrogant n Rational n Unfeeling n Great planner n Afraid to open up n Calm, collected n Fault finding n Objective n Doesn’t consider people in plans

+ True Colors: Orange n“Just Do It” Free and spontaneous n Impulsive risk-takers n Active n Optimistic n Resist commitment n Can deal with chaos n Hands-on n Like to be the center of attention n Great endurance n Drawn to action jobs n Need variety, flexible n Dynamic, animated communicators n Competitive n Deal with the here and now; great in emergency n Bold in relationships n Generous n Difficulty finding acceptance n Enjoys living in a casual atmosphere; fun-loving n Welcomes new ideas n Bring excitement to society n

+ True Colors: Orange n See Self As: n Others See: n Fun-loving n Irresponsible n Carefree n Flaky n Flexible n Not serious n Practical n Indecisive n Problem-Solver n Disobeys rules n Does many things at once n Scattered

+ True Colors: Gold n“Be Prepared” Inclined to join groups n Believe work comes before play n Stable; dependable n Protect tradition n Need to be useful n Prefer order and cleanliness n Want to be self-sufficient n Value organization and efficiency n Responsible and dedicated n Drawn to respected occupations n Punctual n Enjoy positions of authority n Schedule their lives n Desire structure n Make and keep commitments n Bring stability to society n Strong work ethic n Goal-oriented n Value rules n Prepare for the future n

+ True Colors: Gold n See Self As n Others See n Stable n Controlling n Dependable n Bossy n Efficient n Dull n Realistic n Unimaginative n Decisive n Judgmental n Orderly n Uptight n Good planner n Opinionated n Punctual, expects same

+ True Colors: Blue n“How does that make you feel? ” Nurture people, plants/animals n Caretaker n Look beyond the surface n In search of themselves n Share emotions; empathic n Need to feel unique n Make decisions based on n Must be true to themselves feelings n Warm; compassionate; loving n Need harmony n Value close relationships; likes n Adaptable people n Drawn to literature n Great communicator n Drawn to helping, nurturing n Desire quality time with loved careers ones n Work tirelessly for a cause n Need opportunities to be n Idealistic creative n Bring unity to society n Compromise and cooperate n

+ True Colors: Blue n See Self As n Others See n Warm, Compassionate n Overemotional n Likes to please people n Too trusting n Trusting n Mushy n Creative n Too nice n Spiritual n Talks too much n Idealistic n Creates chaos n People person n Illogical n Unselfish

+ True Colors: When they talk they… Blue: Loves to talk Direct and honest Talk about feelings Avoids conflict Pays attention to non-verbal cues Green: Relies on facts Asks many questions Says things only once Avoids small talk Argues both sides of issues Worries they are not understood Orange: Says just the right thing Dominates conversation Gets right to the point Makes quick decisions Creates excitement Focuses on results Gold: Uses clear and precise language Cuts small talk Keeps conversation in order Talks about responsibilities Focuses on efficiency Wants to follow an agenda/plan

+ True Colors: When you talk to a ___ be sure to… Blue: Relate what you are saying to feelings Avoid open criticism Put people’s needs ahead of procedures Be honest and genuine Leave room for input/questions Keep your promises Green: Use clear and precise language Use logic to support your ideas Get right to the point Keep the conversation relevant Ask meaningful questions Talk about possibilities Orange: Cut to the heart of the problem Be bold and say what is on your mind Focus on action Talk about results Keep the conversation lively Gold: Give straightforward direction Use references to the past/traditions Do not get sidetracked Keep the conversation in order Follow and agenda Talk about responsibilities

+ True Colors: Problem Solving Blue: What are the values involved? How will people involved react to the outcome? Green: What are the pros and cons? What are the logical consequences? What is the consequence of not acting? Orange: What are the possibilities? What are other ways to solve the problem? Gold: What are the facts? What exactly is the situation? What has been done? What are others doing?

+ What is the True Color? n Sam chose a large highly-ranked public university primarily for financial aid. She first loved the excitement of campus life and football weekends although she felt out of place at parties-like an observer. She preferred reading novels to parties, or talking with one student in a quiet setting. Large lecture classes with 600 students overwhelmed her; she was uncomfortable asking questions. Sam hated multiple choice tests and she rarely had to write papers-- which she loved. Her roommate stayed out late partying and Sam missed the close knit support in her high school. Although she made the dean’s list, she did not return the second semester.

+ Sam’s True Color n Sam’s primary color is Blue n Needs time for self; the outside environment can be overwhelming—needs small groups n Needs affirmation and support with strong advising

+ What is the True Color? n BEN, now in his first year at an art institute, had art eight hours a day. He wished he had considered other majors like theater or education, or a college with more majors, but his parents were successful artists. Most students commuted to the institute; his dorm was a boarding house that emptied on Thursday night. He missed the camaraderie of his high school teams and the radio station where he had been a DJ. His roommate practically “lived” in the art studio, and Ben wished he had friends to hang out with.

+ Ben’s True Color n Ben’s brightest colors are Orange/Blue n Makes quick decisions to close out choices n Need for affiliation, friends, and campus support n Lack of career exploration n Bored with early career limitations

+ What is the True Color? n Cam applied to 18 “top” colleges, worrying more about getting in to the best school than finding a good match. At the accepted student open houses, most described how wonderful their college was and how great it was to be in the Class of 2009. He gained little understanding about which college was the best fit for him. At one school, reps facilitated discussions about how to make a good personal decision about college and what qualities this college had that matched his interests and style. He learned his type, and he met students with similar colors. Cam reevaluated the colleges based on their colors. He chose a roommate from his brightest color group and reconsidered his early choice of becoming a computer engineer by investigating blue and orange majors.

+ Cam’s True Color n Cam’s brightest colors are Blue/Orange and Green n Unable to narrow down choices n Unfamiliar with his Blue and Orange needs n Needed specialized college counseling to structure his search

+ Inventory n Complete the Word Sort n Rank the word groups in the row n n 4 = most like you n 3 = a lot like you n 2 = somewhat like you n 1 = least like you Scoring n Transfer each rank next to the corresponding letter in the scoring section. n Add the values across each row n Highest score is your primary color!