To kick off a Leading & Developing High Performance programme we always start with Insights Discovery to help people understand themselves, understand others and learn about how their personality preferences will affect their behaviour. So we thought we would take a look at the positive (good day) and not so positive (bad day) behaviours of managers based on their personality preference. This post gives an insight into the Fiery Red manager.
What is Fiery Red energy?
This colour preference is charactarised by the following adjectives:
- Competitive
- Demanding
- Determined
- Strong willed
- Purposeful
They are active and move in a positive and forward direction. They have a strong determination that influences those they interact with and are single-minded in their focus on results. They approach others in a straightforward manner and will value competence, efficiency and effectiveness. When dealing with this type of manager they would prefer you to be brief, be bright and be gone!
What I appreciate about this energy
I’ve had a few managers like this and they can be extremely useful in that they will protect you from any nonsense coming down from the top. You are unlikely to be doing mindless stuff that gets you nowhere because your manager would have categorically said no. They will also defend you and the team to others if you do something wrong or make a mistake – then they will tell you off loudly!
When Fiery Red energy gets in the way
Once we understand the gifts of a Fiery Red manager we will appreciate that when these strengths become overused this energy can get in the way of high performance. On a bad day they will get in at 9 am and by 9.05 they have left a trail of destruction behind with the receptionist in tears and a puzzled look on their face as if to say “What did I do?”. This manager under pressure will leak the following behaviours:
- Aggressive
- Controlling
- Driving
- Overbearing
- Intolerant
Fiery Red energy and L&DHP
The Fiery Red preference means that there will be a focus on high challenge rather than high support. This means that the team can be run ragged. If it were a horse it might be ridden until it keeled over. The challenge for the Fiery Red energy is to adopt a more supportive role, and take on board the softer skills that are required to develop a high performing team.
What is your experience of a Fiery Red manager? We would love to hear your thoughts.
You may also be interested in reading about:
Andy Britnell says:
What colour personality is your boss? Insights personality types – The Fiery Red manager http://t.co/kift7QqG
20th October 2011 at 11:58 am
Andy Britnell says:
What colour personality is your boss? Insights personality types – The Fiery Red manager http://t.co/kift7QqG
20th October 2011 at 11:59 am
EMMA DARLINGTON says:
Excellent blog well done . Interesting when you understand the colour energies to identify those you work with it is such a powerful tool to help you understand what makes people tick and how to get the best from them . We all have something special to offer in our own way, one mans nightmare may be another’s gold .
20th October 2011 at 12:34 pm
Andy Britnell says:
Thanks for your comment Emma.
You reminded me of the quote ‘If we knew what made people tick we wouldn’t get so wound up!’
Insights can unlock the gold and prevent the nightmares
20th October 2011 at 12:48 pm