Insights Discovery colour types

The Benefits of the Insights Colour Model

One of the main benefits of the Insights Discovery Model is its accessibility – the Insights Colours are so easy to grasp and recognise in the everyday behaviours displayed by those around you. The Discovery Colour Model also benefits from its memorability – enabling behaviour to remain front-of-brain in our efforts to get the best out of ourselves and those with whom we come into contact.

Fiery Red

Appears: Business-like, functional
Wants to be: In control
Primary focus: Results
Likes YOU to be: Brief
Fears: Losing control
Can be irritated by: Inefficiency, indecision
Under pressure may: DictateDecisions are: Pragmatic

Sunshine yellow

Appears: Informal, outgoing
Wants to be: Admired
Primary focus: Interaction
Likes YOU to be: Engaging
Fears: Disapproval
Can be irritated by: Rules, routine
Under pressure may: Dramatise or over-react
Decisions are: Spontaneous

Earth Green

Appears: Casual, conforming
Wants to be: Liked
Primary Focus: Maintaining harmony
Likes YOU to be: Pleasant
Fears: Confrontation
Can be irritated by: Insensitivity, impatience
Under pressure may: Feel over-burdened
Decisions are: Considered

Cool Blue

Appears: Formal, conservative
Wants to be: Correct
Primary focus: Problem solving
Likes YOU to be: Precise
Fears: Embarassment
Can be irritated by: Carelessness, vagueness
Under pressure may: Withdraw
Decisions are: Logical and deliberate

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Preparation

Have clear objectives in mind and be prepared to share them. Have a concise overview of the area of under-performance that needs addressing.

Environment

Keep it formal and business-like.

Communication

Get to the point without waffle or trying to ‘pad’ the bad news. Link performance to success criteria and emphasise what success would mean to them.

Preparation

Allow plenty of time to talk things through. Have clear examples of the under performance as evidence.

Environment

Casual and informal – maybe out of the office in a cafe or coffee shop.

Communication

Frame the issue within the wider picture and use stories to illustrate the under-performance. Acknowledge and praise areas where performance has been good. Watch out for blame being passed. Use Humour.

Preparation

Don’t expect buy-in to be complete after one meeting. Consider the impact on the wider team as a result of the under-performance. If possible, provide some information up-front so that they have time to reflect on what you have to say before they respond.

Environment

Relaxed and comfortable, if possible over coffee, and not across a desk. Somewhere quiet and private is best.

Communication

Take it slowly and allow time for a response. Frame the issue sensitively and avoid allocating blame. Stress the benefits to the team as a whole.

Preparation

Be well prepared and factual. Ensure that you have enough evidence to support your claims of under-performance and that these are based in logic and fact. Use actual examples to demonstrate the issues. Provide a written agenda with plenty of information before the meeting.

Environment

Formal and correct, demonstrating competence, orderliness and professionalism. Somewhere quiet and private, away from prying eyes.

Communication

Present the facts in an orderly and timely manner. Have the information written down for analysis later on. Allow for periods of silence and reflection.

The Insights Discovery Colour Energies Under Stress

However much we may try to adapt our behaviours to connect better with colleagues, other stress-inducing events are out of our control. Our colleagues, like us, can succumb to these pressures by behaving in unhelpful and, at times, inappropriate ways. By recognising what causes stress in each colour energy and what signals will be visible, you can implement solutions to minimise the disruption – see below:

Stress Triggers
Lack of focus
Indecisiveness
Being out of control

Stress Signals
Becomes aggressive
Impatient
Irritable, demanding

Remedy
Allow for fast action
Take decisions or time out
Put them in control

Stress Triggers
Restriction on flexibility
No interaction or fun
Personal rejection

Stress Signals
Over responsive
Appears opinionated
Argumentative

Remedy
Allow room for manoeuvre
Save face
Distract onto something different

Stress Triggers
Unfair or impersonal treatment
Violation of values
Interruptions or time pressures

Stress Signals
Becomes silent, withdrawn or hurt
Judgmental, impersonal, resistant
Stubborn and over cautious

Remedy
Personal contact to restore trust
Understanding sincerity
Put the task aside for another day

Stress Triggers
Lack of information, structure and logic
Poor quality work
Time wasted or task rushed

Stress Signals
Becomes questioning and deliberate
Nit picking
Aloof, withdrawn and resentful

Remedy
Get their feedback on the way forward
Informational and emotional support
Go back and analyse more carefully

On a Good Day:

Self-disciplined, Dedicated, Pragmatic

On a Bad Day:

Blunt, Insensitive, Critical

Likes:

Rigorous thinking, Problem solving

Goals:

Excellence, Perfection

Fears

Criticism, Lack of respect

On a Good Day:

Consistent, Precise, Organised

On a Bad Day:

Reserved, Defensive, Detached

Likes:

Logic, Facts

Goals:

Understanding, Objective truth

Fears:

Confusion, Time pressure

On a Good Day:

Thoughtful, Diplomatic, Dependable

On a Bad Day:

Anxious, Withdrawn, Hesitant

Likes:

Order, Security

Goals:

Correctness, Duty

Fears:

Disorder, Risk

On a Good Day:

Caring, Cooperative, Patient

On a Bad Day:

Compliant, Passive, Stubborn

Likes:

Being of service, Accommodating others’ needs

Goals:

Harmony

Fears:

Change, Conflict

On a Good Day:

Engaging, Encouraging, Empathetic

On a Bad Day:

Over-emotional, Gullible, Needy

Likes:

Intimacy, Affection

Goals:

Making a difference, Connection

Fears:

Isolation, Rejection

On a Good Day:

Sociable, Optimistic, Expressive

On a Bad Day:

Unreliable, Unpredictable, Too talkative

Likes:

Interaction, Getting involved

Goals:

Popularity, Approval

Fears:

Disapproval, Loneliness

On a Good Day:

Assertive, Dynamic, Enthusiastic

On a Bad Day:

Indiscreet, Hasty, Manipulative

Likes:

Adventure, Unlimited opportunities

Goals:

Prestige, Respect

Fears:

Being restrained, Lack of recognition

On a Good Day:

Decisive, Self-reliant, Courageous

On a Bad Day:

Impatient, Forcing, Aggressive

Likes:

Competition, Being In Control

Goals:

Success, Progress

Fears:

Losing control, Failure

Treat everyone as a unique individual – remembering we are a blend of ALL the colour energies – not just one.

Be mindful of other factors in an individual’s life which could affect their choices – take a holistic approach where necessary.

Identify, and draw attention to, the difference between your opinions (or personal judgements) – and facts.

Keep your input as general as possible – it’s easy to prejudice others’ opinions. Far better to ask more questions than you answer.

Jung said “Every individual is an exception to the rule”. Understand and allow for this.

Remember this is a behavioural model – it is about preference, not capability. It is not a measure of skill or intelligence. It describes but does not define.

Box anyone in – ever!

‘Diagnose’ or interpret ‘facts’ using the colours. The expert is the individual.

Make suppositions about a given colour spread.

Use the colours in a belittling or pejorative way – or ‘hide’ behind your own colour spread (e.g. just because you have Blue as least preferred, doesn’t mean you ‘can’t’ do a spreadsheet!).

Restrict anyone’s ability to have transcended their behavioural preferences by experience, education and perseverance.

Say someone is ‘wrong’ or demean their choice of colour spread (even to someone else) or tell someone what colour you believe they are before they have chosen for themselves.

The 8 Types of Behaviour – Colour Energy Masterclass

The ‘8 Types of Behaviour – Colour Energy Masterclass’ introduces the Insights model of behaviours through the eyes of the eight behavioural types. We investigate who we are as individuals: our strengths and challenges, our communication preferences, our motivations and how our behaviour may affect those around us. This interactive self assessment and experiential programme is regularly described by delegates as thought-provoking, insightful and inspirational, accompanied by light-bulb moments of “Ah, now I understand why …!”

PersonalEffectiveness

TeamDevelopment

Leadership Development

Organisational Development

Coaching

Events

Insights Discovery Colour Energies: A Beginners Guide

What is your preferred Insights Discovery Colour Energy?

The Benefits of the Insights Colour Model

Fiery Red

Sunshine yellow

Earth Green

Cool Blue

Interested in finding out your Colour Energy mix?

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Working With the Colour Energies

Red Energy

Preparation

Environment

Communication

Yellow Energy

Preparation

Environment

Communication

Green Energy

Preparation

Environment

Communication

Blue Energy

Preparation

Environment

Communication

The Insights Discovery Colour Energies Under Stress

The Insights Discovery Colour Energies Uncovered

Reformer

Observer

Coordinator

Supporter

Helper

Inspirer

Motivator

Director

Want to use Insights Discovery with your teams?

How to use our Colour Insights

Do:

Don’t:

The 8 Types of Behaviour – Colour Energy Masterclass

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