Wouldn’t work be easier if we all spoke a common language? The language of color energies is key to effective communications, especially when things go south...
Have you ever wondered why there are some people at work you just can’t get through to? You simply can’t connect with them, no matter how hard you try. You get frustrated waiting for your teammate to make a decision, or to read that detailed plan you sent them weeks ago.
Ask any team in any organization what’s the number one thing they need to get better at, and good communication will most likely come out on top.
When we’re aware of another person’s color energies, we can understand why they say and do the things they do
Effective communication requires a common language and is a vital human skill
In a recent study carried out by Insights, the top human skill required for high-performing teams and organizations is effective communication, closely followed by creativity and problem solving. Globally, effective communication is a requirement across almost all industry sectors, and the need for it in the US is surpassed only by that in the UK.
So, how do we improve communication at work? How do we navigate those difficult conversations without making people feel as if they’re being punished?
First of all, we need to create a safe space where we can address tricky issues without judging or criticizing – where employees feel accepted, listened to, valued and recognized. And we need to speak a language that everyone understands.
It’s not them – it’s their color energies. Recognizing someone’s color energies is the first step to understanding them
At Insights we’ve developed a language around color energies. It’s a way of communicating that’s so easy to learn that many of the world’s largest organizations are already using it.
The result? Increased efficiency, productivity and higher morale.
But what exactly do we mean by color energies? It’s a method we use to help us understand why some people behave in the unique way they do. It’s a way of becoming more aware of ourselves and those we work with.
For example, someone with Cool Blue energy is often good with detail, whereas someone with Sunshine Yellow energy may prefer to see the bigger picture. It’s not because there’s anything wrong with them – it’s just the way they’re wired, and that may be different to how you’re wired.
Where it all began … How the language of color energies came into being
The idea of personality typing is nothing new. In the 1920s, Dr Carl G Jung developed his well-known theory of psychological types.
He proposed that an individual’s personality is a blend of several elements, including introversion and extroversion, and when combined, these elements produce common personality types. It’s the way in which these elements are balanced that gives us our unique personality.
A century later, Andi Lothian, founder of Insights Learning & Development, along with his son Andy (current CEO of the Insights Group), developed a way to measure the balance of these various elements and interpret them using four colors.
By filling in a questionnaire, a participant receives a report, based on their responses. This is called the Insights Discovery personal profile. It shows a person’s unique balance of color energies on a graph, along with tips on how to communicate with them. The profile provides a full and accurate picture of a person’s own unique personality, which they can then share with others if they choose to.
It's a simple, yet profound, system for communicating.
The four color energies and how to communicate with them
Once we develop this awareness of color energies and learn to recognize them in ourselves and others, communication in the workplace becomes smoother and more effective.
It unlocks opportunities for individual growth and positivity, as we learn to adapt to others’ styles. We can modify our language to address problems in a safe, non-judgmental way.
Learning the language of color energies is all about awareness
Dr Tanya Boyd, Principal Product Content Manager at Insights, has identified four stages of awareness we might go through when learning the language of color energies.
Stage 1: Self-awareness
This is the ‘ah-ha’ moment when we discover our own color energies.
If we’re aware of what we’re saying and doing, and more importantly why, we perform more effectively. With this awareness of ourselves and our impact on others, we can adapt how we communicate.
Stage 2: ‘Other’ awareness
This is when we learn to recognize another person’s color energies.
When we’re aware of another person’s color energies, we can understand why they say and do the things they do. We become aware of their strengths, possible weaknesses and needs, and from there learn to resist judging, criticizing or making assumptions about them.
Stage 3: Situational awareness
This is when we identify the problem.
This means noticing and paying attention to the situation or environment that’s causing conflict. At this stage we know our own color energies and those of the person we’re talking to, so we can look at the situation objectively, accept it, understand it, and work together to find a solution.
Stage 4: Awareness of future possibilities
Moving forward in a positive direction.
As well as being aware of where we are right now, we need to be aware of what might happen in the future. So, now that we have this new awareness, we become more active in shaping the future and can prepare for similar conflicts that might arise.
How to apply the language of color energies in your team right now
The beauty of this color energy system is that you can adopt it in your team or organization right now.
When everyone in your team understands how their color dynamics affect the way they communicate, motivation among the team will increase and communication will improve. You’ll make connections immediately and your ability to communicate with your colleagues will open up new possibilities for growth.
So, for your next difficult conversation, sit down together with your Insights Discovery profiles, look at each other’s color graphs and talk about your color energies. Then you’ll understand where each other is coming from, and the conversation will flow.
Insights Discovery is an L&D training system that creates high-performing teams by enhancing awareness and workplace relationships. Using a memorable four-color model to illustrate different behavioral styles, it creates a common language that connects colleagues across geographical and cultural boundaries, fostering collaboration, driving productivity and transforming workplaces.
