The Cool Blue Manager

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Posted on 23rd January 2012 by Andy Britnell in Insights Discovery Colour Energies

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Insights Discovery Cool Blue Manager With personality there is no right or wrong, but with leadership there definitely is a right way! Understand this way, and how your personality colours your leadership style, then you begin to make a significant difference. It is one more reason why we start all our Leading & Developing High Performance training with the Insights Discovery model.

In previous blogs you have had a glimpse of the Fiery Red manager, the Sunshine Yellow manager and the Earth Green manager. Now here comes the Cool Blue manager.

What is Cool Blue energy?

This colour preference is characterised by the following adjectives:

• Cautious
• Precise
• Deliberate
• Questioning
• Formal

These managers are detached and can take a logical, objective look at data, analysing it to make sure everything is correct. Stability and order rule, and they have a detached single-minded ability to do what is right and ethical. They also prefer formal lines of reporting.

When dealing with this type of manager you need to know that they want to see evidence and will not take anything on hearsay. For something important, it is best to send an e-mail with all the information to give the manager time to analyse rather than expecting a hasty response. Their mantra is “Give me details!”.

It is best to get your expenses done, your appraisal forms completed and your paperwork in order as you will be measured on the quality of your systems, filing and ability to present things in a logical order, rather than for being a wonderful person!

In fact they will categorically fail to see just how wonderful you are, until these basic administrative things are in place.

What I appreciate about this energy

When you see this energy in action, it is so cool! The Cool Blue manager’s ability to stay detached and not get involved in the emotion of a situation can help defuse things and allow logic and truth to emerge. They are diligent and consistent. Interactions with you will be one-to-one and low key and, because their thinking goes on inside their head instead of being blurted out, they remain composed even in a crisis, quietly going about getting things done.

When Cool Blue energy gets in the way

These very strengths, if over used can be devoid of emotion. When there’s a lot of work to be done they would prefer to come into the office, go straight to their desk and get on, failing to see the need to walk round and say “good morning”, or even be nice. To the staff member this can seem stuffy, lacking any kind of warmth or humanity – you can literally feel ‘out in the cold’.

This manager under pressure seems more:

• Suspicious
• Reserved
• Rigid
• Indecisive
• Nit-picky

Cool Blue energy and L&DHP

With awareness this leader will be your rock and guide, explicitly stating what needs to be done and how. Their sound rationale and logic mean their assessments are thoughtful and correct, ensuring you stay on track towards the goal. They are more inclined towards support than challenge believing no-one can possibly do such a good job as them, which can keep them locked in the transactional stages of leadership, and poor at delegation.

The key thing to remember for the Cool Blue manager is that they need to consider their peoples’ emotional welfare, recognising that not everyone can take such a detached and clinical approach. It is important to recognise that everything cannot be fixed by a system and that sometimes people just need a hug! When they do this, Cool Blue managers shine as leaders.

Do you recognise the Cool Blue manager? We would love to hear your comments.

You may also be interested in reading about:

The Fiery Red Manager

The Sunshine Yellow Manager

The Earth Green Manager

Observable differences between Cool Blue and Earth Green preferences

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Posted on 3rd January 2012 by Andy Britnell in Insights Discovery Colour Energies

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Insights Discovery - difference between Earth green & Cool Blue EnergyWhen working as a team you discover that the observable differences between colour energy preferences become more acute. It reminds us how the Insights Discovery colour energies are inextricably linked with leadership.

A while ago, on a pouring wet day, two groups of Insights practitioners came together for an outdoor challenge at a water park in Gloucestershire. One team had a Cool Blue observer going round with them, keeping an eye on group interactions etc, the other had an Earth Green observer – me!

The teams were in competition, that’s the important bit! I have noticed with Earth Green energy that where there is competition, especially in sport, they have a burning desire to succeed, which often takes people by surprise.

So, although I had taken my umbrella, with my Earth Green preference I didn’t feel I could put it up. I wanted to be right in there with my team, spotting what was going on, picking up on cues and clues, and generally egging them on when spirits were flagging. We were soaked!

We came together with the other team for the final exercise and it was a neck and neck race. We won by a whisker! The rain stopped and the warm summer sun started to appear!

My fellow observer, I noticed, was completely dry! I asked him how come.

He said “I had a umbrella of course.”

I said, “So did I, but it didn’t occur to me to use it. I couldn’t possibly stay dry while my team were getting soaked.”

He said, “Where is the logic in that?”

He got me … where indeed?

On questioning his team members, they seemed quite happy – they said sometimes when the going got tough they could join him under the umbrella for a moment for a moan and a bit of respite.

Oh! Perhaps after all there is a case for adopting a little more of the Cool Blue approach!

For the debrief however, I couldn’t help feeling that, as the rest of us steamed gently dry standing on an ornamental bridge over a beautiful fish pond, my Cool Blue friend missed some of the shared magical warmth of that moment.

It was a very valuable lesson. As leaders we need to be able to tap gracefully into all four colour energies, all aspects of our personality, to bring out the best in our teams.

The Earth Green Manager

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Posted on 29th December 2011 by Andy Britnell in Insights Discovery Colour Energies

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Earth Green manager - Insights personality typeTo continue our series of blogs about personality, and how your personality colours your leadership style, we present to you the Earth Green manager. This comes from the Insights Discovery model which is where we start all our Leading & Developing High Performance training. Todays post has been written by Ali Stewart who is the perfect person to educate us about the qualities of this supportive, friendly and helpful personality.

What is Earth Green energy?

This colour preference is characterised by the following adjectives:

• Caring
• Encouraging
• Relaxed
• Sharing
• Patient

The Earth Green manager is appreciative and respectful, builds harmony and group cohesion, believing that if you value people they will give of their best. They aim to create the ideal environment for those around them and above all want everyone to be happy. They want to achieve goals too, and can be very driven, but if the human cost is too high they will change the goal. Quieter by nature, they prefer low-key conversations, and will only act vociferously if values are at stake.

It is best to keep the Earth Green manager informed, they like to know what’s going on, but will give you free reign to go about things in your own way. In order for you shine when working for this type of manager, show how you support others and the team, rather than striving selfishly for your own gain.

What I appreciate about this energy

They understand you! When you see this energy in action, it is calm, quiet and supportive. The Earth Green manager has your best interests at heart, and will generally give you the benefit of the doubt. They gently control situations by deciding things by consensus, getting buy-in to projects, building harmony and loyalty, so that in times of strife, the team pull together well and successfully. Generally they are peacemakers, but when things go wrong, you can be taken aback by their strength of conviction.

When Earth Green energy gets in the way

These very gifts can be seen a lot less nicely when over used. The Earth Green leader, when trying to please everyone can end up pleasing no-one. This will cause them to retreat, almost like a tortoise into its shell. They will become uncommunicative, avoid making decisions and will shut themselves off until they have worked through the issues in their own mind. To others this energy can appear stubborn and sluggish. Best to leave them alone at first, then quietly ask if there is anything you can do to help.

Under pressure this manager can seem more:

• Docile
• Bland
• Plodding
• Reliant
• Stubbon

Earth Green energy and Leading and Developing High Performance

The Earth Green preference means there will be a focus on high support rather than high challenge. This could mean the team and members in it are not pushed to be the best they can be. The leader may take the blame for mistakes and correct inaccurate work that is handed in, when actually the team member should be held to account.

You may not always know what the manager is thinking and work may lack structure and process. They will excel in the coaching and mentoring aspects of the role, inspiring and developing the greatness in you for they can see it is already there.

What is your experience of being, or working for, an Earth Green manager? We would love to read about your stories.

You may also be interested in reading about:

The Fiery Red Manager

The Sunshine Yellow Manager

The Cool Blue Manager

The Sunshine Yellow Manager

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Posted on 14th December 2011 by Andy Britnell in Insights Discovery Colour Energies

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Sunshine Yellow Manager - InsightsFollowing on from our post on the Fiery Red manager I am delighted to present a post from Nicky Cowling on the Sunshine Yellow manager. Nicky has lots of sunshine yellow energy and has teamed up with another Insights practitioner, Judith Yates, to form a company called Good Day Yellow!

What is Sunshine Yellow energy?

This colour preference is characterised by the following adjectives:

• Sociable
• Dynamic
• Demonstrative
• Enthusiastic
• Persuasive

They are full of ideas and plans for the future and welcome change. They will be able to paint vibrant pictures of what the future will be like, possibly with words, equally likely with coloured pens on a poster that they will stick to the wall.

Their enthusiasm will be infectious and you’ll find yourself doing things without always needing to know why.

They are open and honest (perhaps sometimes too honest?) If their words don’t tell you and others what they’re thinking then their body language and facial expressions are likely to. You may want to remind them before attending negotiation meetings to try and keep a ‘straight face’ rather than disclosing your position too soon?

They will definitely know where they’re going, possibly how to get there but won’t always be sure where they and you are right now.

When dealing with this type of manager they would prefer you to involve them! ! Engage them in your plans early, whether it’s for a social event or a major project, to avoid a possible ‘hijack’ at a later stage because they believe they have a ‘better’ idea.

What I appreciate about this energy

They’ll understand how your work as a team fits into the bigger picture for your organization. If it looks like an obstacle is going to stop the team from achieving objectives (eg a budget constraint) they will have a creative solution or know someone somewhere to help you overcome it!

There will be few surprises in appraisals as they let you know if they’re happy with your work or not as you go along. When things are going well they’ll be a powerful advocate for you, singing your praises to the rest of the business.

When Sunshine Yellow energy gets in the way

Once we understand the gifts of a Sunshine Yellow manager we will appreciate that when these strengths become overused this energy can get in the way of high performance. Just like the sunshine used as a metaphor to describe their behaviour at their ‘brightest’ you may need to protect yourself from their full glare in order to avoid a headache! They are the ‘drama kings and queens’ of the management team.

They’ll remember the cake for birthday celebrations but forget the plates and the matches!

This manager under pressure will leak the following behaviours:

• Excitable
• Frantic
• Indiscreet
• Flamboyant
• Hasty

Sunshine Yellow energy and L&DHP

The Sunshine Yellow energy will bring high level of style flexibility to their leadership responsibilities. They are likely to be equally comfortable challenging and supporting but may rely too heavily on their own experiences to choose an appropriate style. They may fail to fully understand the detailed circumstances of the team member and the situation they are dealing with before jumping in with a solution. Their challenge will be with style effectiveness. The team as a result will feel confident that they will get time and a response but may be unsure of whether they will get the right response for them.

The challenge for the Sunshine Yellow energy is to adopt the right style at the right time. In particular making sure that they listen to their team member and gather the full facts before determining a solution.

What is your experience of a Sunshine Yellow manager? It would be great to get your perspective.

You may also be interested in reading about:

The Fiery Red Manager

The Earth Green Manager

The Cool Blue Manager

Are you a work victim?

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Posted on 15th November 2011 by Andy Britnell in Self Directing Professional

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Young Man with His Hand on His Forehead -Self Directing Professional or work victim?Julian looked forward to his new job and expected a successful long-term career with the company he had joined. Steady promotion, satisfying, interesting and responsible work and using the expertise he worked hard to build-up was his vision of things to come. Unfortunately the reality for Julian is somewhat different.

There is plenty of work to do and Julian is run ragged most of the time and is never entirely on top of things. He’s given instructions which he diligently follows and gets frustrated when he discovers that the required course of action takes him down the wrong path. His manager appears to be so busy that they never get a chance to talk about Julian’s development and future career. Encouragement and supportive comments are rare although his colleagues are quite friendly.

Julian feels he could tackle more demanding work but thinks he does not have the required know-how and also worries he might make mistakes and that his workload would become even more of a burden. He did take on a project but got caught out by the political games that people seemed to play in this company so the project fell short of expectations. He often feels left in the dark and has to guess what is required which results in unexpected problems that seem to come out of nowhere.

He has some contact with clients but they seem uninterested in his expertise and elegant proposals for solving problems and are more focused on their own needs rather than his suggestions. His might be a more expensive solution but Julian gets indignant when they can’t see and appreciate the long term benefits of his ideas.

Ultimately Julian has lost the plot and his enthusiasm. He still puts in long hours out of necessity but his heart is no longer in it. He is stressed out, feels powerless and goes home exhausted with no energy left for his passions outside of work. He marks time waiting for things to change for the better and dreams of an opportunity that will rescue him from his life of drudgery.

Meanwhile another organisational shuffle is due – he wonders what fate is in store for him this time!

Julian has become a work victim and it’s not a good place to be. It might feel comfortable as it’s easy to pass on the blame and he has decided that there is not much he can do about it except reduce expectations and settle for a ‘quiet’ life. However it’s not a secure, satisfying or rewarding place to be stuck in. It creates different stresses, frustrations and dissatisfactions.

No-one gains – least of all Julian.

Have you been in this situation? How did you break out of the mindset that Julian is currently in?

There is more about this in The Self Directing Professional book

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