Editor’s Note: Names have been changed in the following story to protect the individual’s identities 

In my executive coaching practice, I have found that differences in communication styles can play a larger role in someone’s success in an organization more than other skills. That was the case when Barb reached out to me about some difficulties she was having with her boss in her new job.  

In addition to training webinars, I use the Color Code as a tool to help solve real-world business problems. Barb was brought into a mid-size industrial organization to lead their HR department.  She was so excited for this new opportunity as it represented a promotion, more money and growth for her career. In her new role, Barb was reporting directly to the CEO. This was exciting, but she had to admit that she was a little bit intimidated.  Her new boss was asking her to be a thought partner and to be more strategic. He wanted her input on compensation strategies and employment engagement.  Barb was excited about these initiatives, but she did not seem to be connecting with her new boss. They were different. Barb was located in the South, and Pierre’s office was on the West Coast.  Pierre, who had previously been a CEO for another company, was very strategic. Barb, a first time HR Partner, was very tactical. Pierre was French and Barb was African American. 

When she zigged, he zagged.  When she went right, he went left.  Have you ever had a boss that you just could not connect with? “We seem to be speaking two different languages,” Barb told me during our initial discovery session.  Her boss even mentioned a performance improvement plan during their last one-on-one meeting. This implied that her new job was in jeopardy!

Barb came to me six months into her new role. We discussed her situation in depth, and then we put together a plan. I use the Color Code as my initial assessment in my coaching practice. I have found that it serves dual purposes: It helps the leader to articulate their strengths and limitations, and it allows me an opportunity to get to know them from an objective perspective. In Barb’s situation, we went a step further.  We used the “Quick Coding 101” tool to determine Pierre’s Color Code. The Quick Coding 101 Tool helps you guess the primary and secondary colors of an individual who may not have taken the training.  With this information, you can intelligently adjust your communication style and better connect to the recipient of your information.  That’s when the puzzle of Barb and Pierre’s relationship began to come together! 

Barb is a primary White personality with a Blue secondary. Very task-oriented, Barb often needs time to gather her thoughts about a response to Pierre’s requests.  She was not confident speaking “off of the cuff” on strategic subjects.  After discussing Pierre’s communication style, we determined that Pierre is a primary Blue with a secondary Red.  

I suggested that Barb alter the manner in which she presents information to Pierre. She could start by preparing an agenda before each meeting. That way she would feel more prepared for each interaction and not be forced to speak “off of the cuff.”  This could give her more confidence, which would put Pierre more at ease. In addition to this, Pierre, as a primary Blue, is emotional.  I suggested that Barb invest a little time at the beginning of each one-on-one connecting with Pierre emotionally. “How was your weekend, Pierre?” “How are the kids?” And because Pierre is a secondary Red (and complex), Barb should follow up each meeting with a document to track progress on each task. This will give the Red in Pierre a logical sense of accomplishment!

Barb made these changes to her delivery style and experienced a  breakthrough in her relationship with Pierre.  After weeks of successfully delivering to Pierre, Barb went from being an employee in danger of losing her job to a high-potential employee.  Barb was recommended to attend training at the company’s home offices in France! Two years later, she was recommended for a promotion. 

With a deeper understanding of her own skills and some intentional thoughts about the wants and needs of her listener, Barb began to reach her full potential. Have you ever experienced a miscommunication in the workplace due to personality differences? How did you resolve it? Let us know in the comments below. 

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DC Lyons is the owner of Korrior, Inc. He is a licensed Color Code Trainer and John Maxwell Certified Trainer/Coach/Speaker. His first book, “With Worn Out Tools: Navigating the Rituals of Mid Life” will be released later this year.