Whether it’s a shift in strategy, new technology, or organizational restructuring, the impact of change is felt at every level- from individuals to teams and 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 color energies of Fiery Red, Sunshine Yellow, Earth Green, and Cool Blue offers a framework for understanding how individuals naturally respond to change.
By recognizing the strengths and tendencies of each color energy, leaders can better support their teams through periods of transition.
What does this look like?
Fiery Red energy is characterized by action, decisiveness, and a focus on results.
Individuals with a strong preference for Fiery Red energy tend to be assertive, competitive, and driven by getting things done.
How Fiery Red navigates change:
People who 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.
Tips for those who lead with Fiery Red:
- Stay open to input: While those who lead with Fiery Red energy excel at taking charge, it’s important to pause and listen to feedback from others. This helps to ensure that decisions are well-rounded and considerate of different perspectives across the team.
- Balance action with reflection: Encourage those who lead with Fiery Red to reflect on the impact of their decisions, allowing for more sustainable, long-term solutions instead of just quick wins.
How Sunshine Yellow navigates change:
Individuals who 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.
Tips for those who lead with Sunshine Yellow:
- Focus on structure: Those who lead with Sunshine Yellow energy typically thrive on ideas and excitement but can sometimes overlook the practical details. Ensuring there’s a clear structure and plan in place will help them stay grounded during change.
- Manage enthusiasm: While their optimism is infectious, it’s important for those who lead with Sunshine Yellow to recognize that not everyone shares their immediate excitement. They should provide support for those who may need more time to adapt.
How Earth Green navigates change:
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.
Tips for those that lead with Earth Green:
- Embrace flexibility: Encourage those who lead with Earth Green to view change as an opportunity for growth, helping them shift their perspective from resistance to acceptance.
- Balance harmony with action: While maintaining harmony is important, those who lead with Earth Green should be reminded that progress during change is necessary. Balancing their support for others with proactive steps will help the team stay on track.
🔵 Cool Blue Energy: Navigating Change with Logic and Precision
Cool Blue energy is analytical, detail-oriented, and focused on accuracy. Individuals who lead with Cool Blue energy are likely to be methodical and thoughtful, approaching change with careful planning and analysis.
How Cool Blue navigates change:
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 systematic approach may make them slower to act, particularly is they feel they don’t have enough information to make an informed decision.
Tips for those that lead with Cool Blue:
- Stay open to adaptation: While planning is a strength, those who lead with Cool Blue may need to remain flexible, as change often involves unexpected shifts. Encouraging them to adapt as new information emerges will help them remain effective.
- Communicate clearly: Those who lead with Cool Blue often value clarity and precision, so regular, transparent communication is essential to keep them engaged throughout the change process.
Navigating change is complex, but by adopting the language of color, 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 color energy plays a valuable role in driving a successful change process.
Since we are all a blend of these color energies, some team members may respond to change in ways that combine traits from different color 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.
Recognizing 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.
