True Communication with True Colors

ave you ever tried to communicate something to someone and it just didn't come out right? Or perhaps you thought it came out right but they took it wrong? Why is it that communication flows so smoothly with some while with others it can be bumpy and frustrating? Of course the mood you are in, your relationship with the person, (boss to subordinate, spouse, best friend…) and your background, such as education or expertise in an area, will have an influence on the way you communicate-but there is something more. The way you communicate with others has a great deal to do with your basic personality.

We all have a blend of characteristics that make up our personality. These characteristics have an effect on the way we communicate. Although there are numerous systems for explaining our behaviors and the origins of our personalities, the True Colors communication model is one of the easiest to remember and most fun to apply. Following are some general descriptions of the communication styles of the four colors in the True Colors model. Read over the descriptions and determine which one is closest to your particular style.

A Blue's world revolves around people, relationships, and fostering growth in themselves and others. When speaking, they first focus their attention on establishing a relationship or reconnecting with the person. The information they wish to convey is woven into this relationship-building endeavor.

	Friendly, Helpful, Empathetic
	Optimistic
	Expressive with Emotion
	Fostering or Maintaining Harmony
	May use metaphors to embellish points

	Acknowledge Them
	Show Appreciation
	Include them
	Have patience
	Don't "bark" orders

Golds are generally respectful and responsible. They listen for details so they know what their part is. They usually size up a situation for what would be most appropriate before responding.

	Purposeful, Plans Ahead
	Respectful, Appropriate
	Supportive of Policies and Rules
	Detail Oriented, Chronological
	Loyal, Devoted

	Be Prepared, Give Details
	Stay on Target, be Consistent
	Show Respect
	Don't Interrupt
	Recognize Their Contributions

Greens for the most part, communicate for the purpose of gaining or sharing information. During a conversation, their attention is usually focused on the matter at hand, not on the relationship.

	Logical and Objective
	Includes Facts and Information
	Big Picture, Conceptual
	Questioning, Critiquing
	Wry Sense of Humor

	Allow Them Time to Ponder
	Skip the "small talk"
	Avoid Redundancy
	Give Big Picture or Point first, then fill in details if asked
	Don't misinterpret their need for info as interrogation

	Casual, Playful
	Spontaneous, Now Oriented
	Fast-Paced, Changes Subjects Quickly
	Straightforward
	Active, Involved, Mobile

	Use "Sound Bites"
	Move with Them While They Multitask
	Appreciate Their Flair
	Allow Options and Flexibility
	Lighten Up

dentifying your style and those of others gives you insights to help you improve communication. Instead of trying to get others to change, recognize what you can do. The next time you have an interaction with another person, notice what style is most dominant for them. Remember the suggested tips and experiment with which ones work best with each individual. Like learning to drive, it gets smoother and more automatic with practice.