Mixing Yellow and Blue doesn’t make Green it makes confusion.
I'm back! I did say i would make time for another blog. I am actually making time in my sprints for blogging and week noting now because its so important to be open and transparent with work, thought, and feelings.
This should be common practice!
Anyway, this week i am talking about a piece of work i am currently a part of, the challenge of insights energies and challenging yourself.
So what is Insights?
A simple, memorable model that creates lasting self-awareness, builds strong relationships and drives business performance
Its basically a profile mapping tool to greater understand where your strengths are and how you can behave.
The model is split into four colours:
It simply uses four colour energies; Fiery Red, Sunshine Yellow, Earth Green and Cool Blue. These Insights colours represent a person’s personality and how those behavioural energies influence a person. The combination of the four Insights colours with potentially one colour dominating is what makes a person unique!
This graphic breaks down the 4 main areas that people can fit into, they can fit into all of them but there is often one they are stronger in or have more of an affiliation with.
Its really useful for creating a language that you can use in the workplace, if someone says you are very blue today you know what they mean.
What does yellow mean in Insights?
People with a preference for Sunshine Yellow energy are strongly enthusiastic, radiant, creative, and friendly. They are usually positive and concerned with good human relations. They will approach others in a persuasive, democratic manner, radiating a desire for sociability.
A good example of this is probably Leslie Knope from Parks and Rec.
But she can channel some other energies in there as well…
What i am working on
I am currently working on a important piece of a bigger work programme that is all about data and insights. Which (you guessed it) requires a lot of blue energy!
Looking at data, finding data, talking about data. Data, data, data.
Makes me feel like i have to do this to fit it and understand it all…
My struggles
As many in the team can attest to, i am normally quite strong yellow energy in both good and bad days but part of my role is about insights, analytics and research so lots of looking at data and spreadsheets.
After a long sesh of doing this it can often feel like this..
Which i find weird because i used to be very strong blue when i first started as an IT apprentice. Due to a lot of factors i came out of my blue shell and emerged as a yellow butterfly with more confidence to talk about my ideas rather then be shut down (long story for another blog). Long story short, blue is now my lowest energy with Yellow and green being my top.
So how can you not put yourself in a box and not get so stressed or confused by using your lesser used energies?
How you can adapt
Just because you’re one type doesn't mean its exclusively that. You can change, i used to be strong blue remember! Just like writing and lots of other things is just a muscle that you need to train to make stronger and therefore easier next time.
Just because data and analytics isn't my strongest area doesn't mean i am going to do this every time i am presented with a spreadsheet!
Channelling energies
Sometimes it can be as simple as concentrating on channelling the energy you need. You need to have an important conversation with people that needs some empathy and understanding? Really try on channelling that green energy and being people focused and caring.
Thinking ‘today i need to be red’ for whatever is required of you is a great psychological trick for this.
I mean, being honest. Its not going to be that easy. The whole premise of this blog is that I'm finding the blue a challenge but.. a challenge is something to overcome not shy away from!
Finding an outlet
Another thing ive learnt is that i have to find an outlet for my Creative or yellow energy. Which explains the very overdesigned graphic i put together for this blog… I needed to channel my energy before i exploded!
I often take on odd jobs or make graphics, edit a video or do something creative to take a break because i cant sustain my blue (or my concentration) for long periods of time. Its funny because some people can see being creative and coming up with ideas as draining but i think i need it to relax.
So whatever energy is your most natural whether that green, yellow, blue, or red. I would find an outlet to help you relax, maybe for green this would just be sitting down for a cuppa and chat with someone occasionally.
Everyone needs breaks!
To be continued…
That's it from me this week, i will be back soon with some other ramblings or insights to bestow upon you! I'm also working on encouraging some of my team and others i work with to get back into writing and blogging so keep a look out…
Although it is up to them if they want to only post internally versus out in the wild west of medium.
Sam out.
P.s
You might have noticed my username on medium and other social media has changed. That's a story for a separate blog i think!
But here is a tease… Keep a look out soon for Sam’s Bright Ideas.
