Whether it’s a shift in strategy, new technology, or organisational restructuring, the impact of change is felt at every level- from individuals to teams and to leaders.
Successfully managing change requires understanding how it affects people differently and taking intentional steps to support everyone involved.
The Insights Discovery model, based on the four colour energies of Fiery Red, Sunshine Yellow, Earth Green, and Cool Blue offers a framework for understanding how individuals naturally respond to change.
By recognising the strengths and tendencies of each colour energy, leaders can better support their teams through periods of transition.
People that lead with Fiery Red are likely to approach change head-on. They are quick to act, making fast decisions to keep things moving forward. Their strong focus on outcomes means they are often eager to see immediate results and may push others to accelerate the process.
They are natural leaders in times of change, guiding the team with clear direction and high expectations. Those who lead with Fiery Red typically thrive in environments where swift action is needed and may be less concerned with the details or emotional impact of the change process.
Individuals that lead with Sunshine Yellow are likely to view change as an exciting opportunity for growth and innovation. They typically embrace transitions with enthusiasm, eager to explore new possibilities and rally around the vision of a better future.
Their people-oriented approach means they often excel at keeping morale high during times of uncertainty, using their positivity to inspire others to adapt more easily, and foster a sense of community and shared purpose. However, they may struggle with focusing on the practical details of change and can be overly optimistic, assuming everything will fall into place.
Individuals who lead with Earth Green approach change with a focus on people. They are naturally concerned with how transitions affect others and are likely to step into supportive roles, ensuring everyone feels heard and valued.
During times of change, they provide stability by creating a calm, consistent environment, helping others process their emotions and adjust to new realities. However, those who lead with Earth Green may resist change if it feels too disruptive or threatens the harmony they value.
Individuals with high Cool Blue energy navigate change by focusing on data and structure. They often prefer to gather all relevant information before making decisions, and they’ll develop well-thought-out plans to ensure the change process is as smooth and logical as possible.
Those who lead with Cool Blue are excellent at anticipating risks and thinking through the implications of change. However, their methodical approach may make them slower to act, particularly is they feel they don’t have enough information to make an informed decision.
Navigating change is complex, but by adopting the language of colour, leaders can tap into each personality’s unique strengths to create a smoother, more supportive transition. Whether it’s the decisiveness of Fiery Red, the optimism of Sunshine Yellow, the empathy of Earth Green, or the precision of Cool Blue, every colour energy plays a valuable role in driving a successful change process.
Since we are all a blend of these colour energies, some team members may respond to change in ways that combine traits from different colour energies, and that’s perfectly natural.
By understanding both your own and your team’s strengths and potential challenges, you can come together to navigate change with confidence.
Recognising these varied approaches helps leaders and team members meet people where they are, guiding them through change in ways that align with their natural tendencies.
Embracing these diverse perspectives enables you to build a more resilient, adaptable, and collaborative team during periods of transformation.