What is your preferred Insights Discovery Colour Energy?

Follow this guide to find out how Insights Discovery can transform teams and leaders through an understanding of the four Colour Energies.

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:

Dictate

Decisions 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

Working With the Colour Energies

Recognising the Insights Discovery colour energies in others is only part of the battle – adapting your own behaviour to better meet others’ needs is the key. So here’s a handy guide to remind you of the basics when preparing for and executing that critical performance review meeting to ensure that feedback is delivered respectfully and received well:

The Insights Discovery Colour Energies Under Stress

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

The Insights Discovery Colour Energies Uncovered

How to use our Colour Insights

1. Treat everyone as a unique individual – remembering we are a blend of ALL the colour energies – not just one.
2. Be mindful of other factors in an individual’s life which could affect their choices – take a holistic approach where necessary.
3. Identify, and draw attention to, the difference between your opinions (or personal judgements) – and facts.
4. Keep your input as general as possible – it’s easy to prejudice others’ opinions. Far better to ask more questions than you answer.
5. Jung said “Every individual is an exception to the rule”. Understand and allow for this.
6. 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.

1. Box anyone in – ever!
2. ‘Diagnose’ or interpret ‘facts’ using the colours. The expert is the individual.
3. Make suppositions about a given colour spread.
4. 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!).
5. Restrict anyone’s ability to have transcended their behavioural preferences by experience, education and perseverance.
6. 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