Dear Jeremy,

Any tips or experiences about Red-Blue relationships? Do you find that it really is a “Blood, Sweat, and Tears” combination?

Thank you!

Laura

Dear Laura,

Great question! I love it. “Blood, Sweat, and Tears” does just sound so ominous, doesn’t it? I think it gets this nickname because roughly 85% of the conflicts that we deal with in training situations are of a Red-Blue nature. A lot of the personal coaching that we have done also has revolved around these two personalities.

The fact of the matter is, a Red-Blue relationship is typically the hardest relationship to be in because both have a hard time readily accepting the other person. Another name we have for this combination is “Non-Complementary Opposites”. That means that many of their traits are extremely opposite from the other person, but they don’t necessarily mesh together very well without a bit (or several gallons!) of elbow grease. White-Red combinations and Blue-Yellow combinations are an example of more “Complementary Opposites” where their opposite natures actually work extremely well together and produce natural synergy.

What is also true for the Red-Blue relationship is that they have unlimited potential for success. In fact they can be the MOST dynamic of all color combinations if they can just learn how to get over themselves and learn to appreciate and accept the other person. So the term “Blood, Sweat, and Tears, should never be taken to mean the relationship can’t work. It just takes work – like any relationship. If they learn how to get past the conflicts there really is nothing this team cannot accomplish once they get united.

Here is a breakdown of some tendencies of this combination as well as a few tips for you:

• There is great joint loyalty here that covers all bases. For example, the Blue is fiercely committed to the people and the relationship side of the equation, and the Reds will be just as driven to get things done and take care of important tasks.

• The Blue will generally take care of quality and details, and the “how-to-get-there” part of any plan, and the Red will stay focused on the big picture. In other words, they help each other in areas where the other person doesn’t particularly care to focus.
• Mutual dependability is another great plus here. That’s why this relationship happens a lot, actually, because both parties show up, commit, and make things happen.
• Here’s where things start to get a little tricky. Blues and Reds are both heavyweights – meaning, they both seek to control others. Sometimes people have a hard time believing this, but typically the Blue will be the more controlling person in this relationship because their sense of control is largely based on emotional reactions/feelings. Reds are also controlling, but their control is strictly logical, which is easier to deal with if the Blue can stay rational. When Blues and Reds try to control each other, this relationship will struggle. Instead, they should try to learn to accept one another for who they are as opposed to trying to change each other. Then, they can allow the other person the room to do the things they are best at without offering any negative judgment or criticism.

The last thing I’ll mention here is that while Blues tend to think from their hearts, Reds will always think with their heads. This can work either for or against them depending on whether they are in a synergistic mode or whether they are more concerned with who is right as opposed to what is right.

Very best of living,

Jeremy

Jeremy Daniel (Core Color: Yellow) has been working with the Color Code since 1998 in various capacities from training in the field personally with Dr. Taylor Hartman to designing customized corporate solutions and new training programs for various industries.  To ask about Jeremy’s training or speaking services, please email and inquiry to jeremy@colorcodetraining.com.