Month: June 2021

A Two-Blue Parent Family (And Our Three Children — Yellow, Blue and White)

First Off, The Two Blue Parents — A Bit Of History

We met about 40 years ago and got acquainted by way of introduction.

My friend mentioned to me that there was this girl…so off I went with him on this girl-finding mission.

We met and got to know each other better, finding over the course of a few short visits that we had a lot of common interests.

She was from Eastern Canada, and I from the West, some 1600 or so miles apart. Feeling homesick, she decided to go back to her Eastern stomping grounds.

I let her go without much being said or done to prevent her from going back.

Of course, letter writing was part of the deal, but it worked only so well as I dropped the ball and only managed to send one of the letters I had written. 

Being a perfectionist, I decided I wasn’t doing so well in my writing of letters, so most of them went into the garbage.

About two years later, she came back out West and was staying only two hours away. Her sister told her to phone me. She did and asked if I would like to see her. I told her to come, and we can meet again. We picked up like nothing had changed.

Two weeks and thirteen diamonds later, we were engaged. Two months later, we were married. Three years in, we became parents of our first child (we didn’t know about the Color Code yet). 

Blue Parenting Without Knowing So Until Later

It’s a boy, and he was born in the Eastern stomping grounds of my wife’s past. We had moved there after homesickness had hit her again.

We began to raise our son and could see early on that fun was his M.O.

Anything that was fun was what attracted him.

As he grew up, his need for fun and friends was so great, and this, although quite fascinating to us, was a bit exhausting for us and a bit perplexing, because he was not easy to discipline. If we took something away from him we felt would matter to him and help him come to terms with our direction, he just moved on and found fun through some other means, therefore our desired impact was rendered virtually useless.

Reigning him in to complete his assignments or chores of any kind became a defeated task, as we Blue parents expected so much more than he could personally give. By this time, we were in the know about the Color Code and began to understand better. Life was a lot easier and more exciting.

Upon reflection after all the years and their unknowns, we have a very well-grounded Yellow son as an adult, so we have to believe that we have done a good job of raising him. A big part of this came as a result of using the Color Code to teach and understand one another.

We have adjusted as Blues to understand him better, and he as a Yellow has aligned with our Blue personalities very well and is a treasure in life to so many in our circles.

A Few Years Later, We Enjoy a Beautiful Daughter

We really had a blessing added to our life here as we had a Blue personality daughter who responded very well to any bumping and steering we provided along the way.

The connection is huge to this day, and relating is never too far off in our thinking and actions.

As a little girl, her artistic abilities and pride that comes with doing great art was brought to my attention by her little smile and, “Come see what I did, Daddy”  request…and a trip around the other side of our new Suburban.

Once around to see her art on the side of the vehicle slightly etched into the clear coat, I, although a bit taken aback, had to smile, yet be serious enough to make a point, when I calmly said to her, “It looks great!” Then I proceeded to ask her, “What do we say about writing on the walls in the house?” She replied that, “We don’t do that,” and I replied, “This is like the walls.” Her response was a simple, “OK, Daddy.” I knew to handle it from a state of alarm and a huge, lengthy reprimand would have crushed her.

As she grew, and I as a dad wanted to guide her for her safety in life, I have to admit that I could go on with every angle of every topic we addressed for a long time. I didn’t want my point to be missed in any way, so if I felt I was getting the “deer in the headlights look,” I was on it from a different angle.

This was true with all my children; however, my beautiful Blue daughter decided to leave during one of my lengthy worries being expressed yet another way, and I was left figuring out what just happened. I am pleased I had enough insight to let it be and believe it was not out of disrespect.

Her short letter was an eye-opener for me…she understood. This letter set the stage for better parenting for all my children and connection with their friends. It mellowed my Blue personality reactions a lot.

Blessed With Our Agreed Gift — Our Third — A Daughter

White as Yoda.

Whenever we got into a discussion that she really felt the need to address, I could tell I was to be bested regardless of the topic of concern. 

It wasn’t a power struggle so much as it was a digging in by my White personality daughter who felt beyond a doubt she had to be heard and understood.

She was very easy to raise and so calm in nature it oozed out of her; however, as a young adult, if she needed to set things straight to realign her life in our Blue personality minds so she could reset that calm over the present issue, she was by far the most challenging.

We had to let it go most of the time and trust that for the most part she had the foundation of good judgement and things would work out well — and things have.

Although all our children increased our friendship base, our White personality daughter brought us into new relationships the most, as she was a natural connector with the patience to bring people together for meaningful events.

Here We Are Now, Beyond the Raising of Our Three Children

As Blue personality parents, we have learned a lot from raising our three children with three different personalities and are so grateful for their education through life. They have taught us in so many ways how to successfully meet the differences we all have as a direct result of our DCMs (driving core motives).

All our children add so much value to our lives and the differences in personalities really are a blessing that is also the spice in our interactions.

Knowing how their personalities work helps so much in knowing where they are coming from and vice versa. This ‘enables’ our relationships that could otherwise be cause for discontent. We have everything to be thankful for in using the Color Code to develop our deeper understanding and appreciation for each other.

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Ron Preston has owned and operated nine different businesses in a design remodeling, restoration, and retail background. Through the years of working with people, Ron is convinced this is one of the most effective tools in the personality growth science available. Ron has been working with  Color Code for over 14 years. He studies human behavior and writes for different forums and trains on a person-to-person basis. You may contact him by email at brkscc@telusplanet.net.

Returning to the New Normal

It goes without saying that 2020 was a year that we won’t ever forget, but there is now some light at the end of the tunnel. The question is, after a year of fear, grief, and solitude, how will we handle a new normal?  

Now, halfway into 2021, we see some light at the end of the long, dark tunnel. Many of us are apprehensive, asking ourselves what that light brings. What is the new normal?

THE NEW WORKPLACE

For some of us, it’s time to put away the PJs and sweats, squeeze into our office attire, and head back to the brick and mortar of our jobs. For others, it’s possible that your company has embraced the idea of remote working and plans to continue the policy. According to a survey by Enterprise Technology Research (ETR), the percentage of workers permanently working from home is expected to double in 2021.

What does that mean for you?

If you are a Red or White personality, you are probably more than okay with continuing to work remotely. Reds are productive, and Whites are self-regulated. You are happy to be away from office politics and are content to stay home. Because you are so task-focused, you might send your first email at 6am and your last at midnight. Be sure to make time for yourself. Pick a time to log off and take care of your needs. The emails can wait.

If you do go back to the office, you will do well to remember you no longer have a mute button that allows you to make snide comments in a meeting. So it’s time to brush up on your people skills.

If you are a Blue or Yellow personality, the office setting might be preferable if given a choice. You thrive on relationships and social interaction with your coworkers. Being a part of an in-person team, rather than the less-satisfying online meetings, motivates you.

If your job is now officially remote, allow for your need of others. Blues might want to cultivate a relationship with a mentor or coach available to listen when you feel the need to talk through work issues. Yellows will need to focus on discipline. Make lists of tasks that need to be accomplished, set deadlines, and reward yourself with social time only after completing the job.

NEW SOCIAL NORMS

Mask mandates are lifted, many of us have been vaccinated, and the world is slowly opening up to us. However, the year 2020 has instilled new behaviors in us. We no longer shake hands, we instinctively stand 6 feet apart, and we panic a little when we hear someone cough. So how will we handle our re-emergence?

Reds, by nature, don’t need that people connection as much as others. So you have been content to go on solo adventures away from the crowds. It’s time now to start allowing people back into your life. Be patient with the comfort level of others. Allow them to set the rules of engagement.

Blues are more tentative. You are the ones who followed the rules. You made sure you had plenty of hand sanitizer and masks if you had to venture out. Now you might be distrustful of your fellow humans. Still, you need to finally hug the loved ones you have been so fiercely protective of. Take baby steps. Do what makes you feel safe.

White personalities won’t notice much of a difference, except now your friends won’t accept excuses. The pandemic has given you a reason to become reclusive. Still, it’s time to change, or you run the risk of it becoming a lifelong pattern.

Let’s face it. Yellows were the least likely to have followed the “letter of the law” when it came to restrictions. The best part of the country opening up is the places you’ll go and the people you’ll see. Gone are the outfit-matching masks. Remember to be aware and respectful of the obstacles some of us still face. Not everyone is as impatient as you to return to normal activity.

We have all had our own unique reactions to the past year. How we adjust to the new normal is a personal choice. Take care to move at your own speed and with what makes you comfortable. 

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Teresa Glenn has been working with the Color Code since 2006, where her main focus is product development. She has been in the publishing and product development field for over 20 years. Teresa is a core Red with a strong Yellow secondary.

Color Code and The Great Global Shuffle

When I first started using the Color Code in my team-building trainings, I was imparting to individuals this magnificent tool that establishes motive and gives you ideas to help with people unlike you. Each personality type has a bright side and a ‘not so bright’ side. 

I’ve witnessed team-building exercises be so helpful for leaders because once they know their company’s color portfolio, they have an easier time when team members come to discuss their problems. Usually, they don’t drop in with how happy they are and how great their job is!  So my question to you in the midst of this global shuffle we have been experiencing (i.e. the entire world’s challenges and changes) is how are you holding up? 

I call chaos “the great teacher,” because it is during these times of crisis that we are pushed to find out what we are really made of, and the Color Code helps with that. As managers, we need to be the listening ears and hearts to solve dilemmas and often resolve personal life travesties that affect performance as well. The pandemic and global shuffle can actually create more loyalty with your workers than before. Here’s an example of how.

My first live training post-pandemic was with 20 essential workers — plumbers. With people at home 24/7, their toilets and sinks had more usage and problems than usual. This plumbing company and team had more than enough work, and when we gathered, I was anxious to see how people would interact—socially distanced—on the post-pandemic side of life.

The owners of the company got their goals met in a half-day training. They wanted staff appreciation, team development and fun. Their excitement and the team’s response meant a home run for everyone. 

What we all need right now is the reminders of how gifted and unique we each are and that every personality type is fully equipped for the challenges of this great global shuffle. Here are four suggestions to help leadership manage the four motives of the personality colors better:

 

1)  Know How to Control Fear and demonstrate this to your team. The Blue personality is worry-prone, and leaders can alleviate Blue’s worry-prone personality by showing them the way to capitalize rather than awfulize when unexpected bad news arrives. The boot camp of COVID taught us we have to capitalize, (Zoom Meetings, anyone?) and good things can result as teams adjust — remind Blues to focus on this.

2)  Build Up Confidence! Do the tasks that build confidence FIRST! This strategy can help your White personality team members get motivated. When Whites feel good, they can then tackle the other challenging tasks with the feel-good serotonin to help them stay confident and move along.

3)  Release Old Defeats.  Reds are so driven to succeed, this mantra has to remind them to get back to their visionary selves and create a better future. Whatever complications the COVID world took from the Red leaders, they can’t bemoan it now — let go and get back on track.

4)  Be Socially Positive, even though things are taking longer to get back on track. Enlist your Yellows’ talents to be optimistic and cheer up the rest of those who are carrying around past drama and baggage. We are at the dawn of a new day, and new days don’t like yesterday’s troubles! Shine the light of Yellow to diminish gloom and doom.

 

Trainers and team-building events can assist with creating team involvement in setting new goals. How you integrate the events in your life define your life. Teaching others how to thrive during unexpected crises has defined my speaking and coaching career for the last 20 years. I’m convinced that self-care and team-care is imperative to have a long, successful and healthy company. The Color Code is a tool to use or revisit to strengthen your team in this global shuffle.

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Carolyn Gross is a 20-year trainer for the Color Code and is located in Southern California. As a professional speaker and trainer, she has authored several books and CD’s: “Rise Above the Chaos,” “Managing Chaos with Confidence’ and “Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos.” She has been featured on ABC, NBC and Lifetime TV. She is a frequent guest on NPR, too. She delights in interactive team-building trainings. With the churning of the global shuffle, her favorite work is supporting mental health and productivity. For more information, visit www.creativelifesolutions.com  or email info@creativelifesolutions.com. To schedule a call, you can reach her office: (760) 741-2762 

Building Relationships through Personality Decoding

As an HR professional with years of corporate and consulting experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with some very savvy managers and business owners. Interestingly, it always seems that the number one issue they all face is difficulty understanding and connecting with the very people they are closest to, whether it’s personal or professional.  They all ask, “How do I get better at understanding and communicating with these people that I need in my life?”

Just the other day, I had a long-term CEO client call me (we’ll call him Mr. Big), and he was at the end of his rope. He said the key person he’s been working with for years is just “not getting it,” and if things don’t change, he’s going to have to let her go…but he really didn’t want to lose her.

After talking Mr. Big down from the ledge and getting to the heart of the matter, it all boiled down to the perception he had that she just didn’t understand what he was trying to tell her, but she never asked questions until it was too late.

While I tried not to chuckle and maintain my professional demeanor, I asked him if he was willing to give her a little time to learn something new and was he willing to invest a little money in her training?  He said he was, but he didn’t hold out much hope for any changes.

My next step was meeting with the employee and getting her read on the situation. By the end of our conversation, I was certain we’d be looking at a very successful solution in a short matter of time.

For me, a Color Code believer and management trainer since the late 1980’s, the obvious solution was pretty straightforward. IF this employee was willing to learn the magic of the Color Code personality assessment, do her homework, and then have the courage to apply the concepts, then I knew success was within her grasp.   

However, the biggest stumbling block she came up against (and let’s face it, so do most people who come to Color Code for the first time) was getting past the skepticism of, “what’s the big deal about another personality test?” And to be perfectly honest, that’s a valid reaction based on how impractical solving work issues may have been with these kinds of tests in the past. 

After taking her test and spending a little time with her personal assessment report, I asked her what she thought. She said it was very interesting, and she thought it would help her understand herself better, but she wasn’t so sure it was going to do anything about the problems she was having with Mr. Big, because she was pretty sure he wasn’t going to take a personality test, much less read the assessment. 

Well, as we all know, here’s where things began to make a turn for the better. I told her he didn’t have to take a test for her to solve the question of what makes him tick and what she needed to do to make things work out better.

Was she skeptical?  You better believe it.  But she was also curious and courageous enough to give it a try. 

Enter the concept of Quick Decoding.

Using the “quick decoding primer” that Dr. Hartman had the forethought to develop to help anyone who understands the basics of Color Code readily follow, she got busy learning the basics of decoding and experiencing for herself how simple the process really is.

Here are the basic decoding questions we asked her to focus on and use in her first homework assignment – Discovering Mr. Big’s Primary Color.

Decoding Question #1:  Introvert or Extrovert?  Does this person seem to be more introverted or more extroverted? (There’s a lot of definitions and a lot of controversy about introverts and extroverts, but for purposes of this decoding, we define an extrovert as someone who not only enjoys social interactions, but also gets their batteries charged by them.) Or does the person seem genuinely drained after engaging in large social interactions or meetings and just needs to be alone afterwards?  Here’s a perfect example: I’m a Yellow, and I remember doing a speaking engagement to what I considered a small group (less than 100), but for me it was fun and fast and networking with people afterwards left me totally energized and raring for more.  My business partner, who was my co-presenter for the evening, is a warm, organized, and lovely blue.  She did her on-stage part, then engaged in many small conversations after the event, but finally grabbed me and said, “IT’S TIME TO GO.”  As I chattered all the way into the car, she just got in and stared at me. As she looked at me, she put her head down on the steering wheel and said in a world-weary voice, “Please be quiet. I don’t understand how you have any energy left. I’m so tired of talking, I’m not going to speak or even see anyone for at least a week!” There you have it, folks…the perfect example.

So, here’s the bottom-line answer to Question #1: As a general rule, Reds and Yellows display extroverted personalities. Whites and Blues are introverted.  Reds and Yellows get energy from being in the thick of things and taking center stage. Blues and Whites walk away needing quiet and solitude to get their equilibrium back on track.

Decoding Question #2:  Logical or Emotional? How do they process information and what words do they use when they’re responding to statements, questions, or just life in general? Reds and Whites tend to be more logical and want to be sure that their ducks are in a row.  They want the facts and the figures and will generally do a quick analysis to make certain that everything adds up.  They use words like, “I think, I will, wouldn’t it make more sense to, the facts are…”   Blues and Yellows are more emotional when they process information or ideas. They use words like, “I believe, I feel, I sense, My gut is telling me…” These are very common words in their vocabulary. Blues and Yellows sense and feel things and most are true believers in following their instincts. While they do deal in facts and figures just like all of us, you’ll often hear the passion and emotion that lurks just behind what drives their decisions and motivates them to take action. 

The bottom-line answer to Question #2 is pay close attention to what people say and what words most frequently enter their vocabulary. Listen to whether they are emotional or passionate about things they have strong opinions about. Are they more comfortable with facts and figures and want to leave the “touchy-feely stuff” to someone else?

Decoding Question #3: Communication Style  Is their normal way of speaking rapid-fire or is it more deliberate and thoughtful? As you’ve probably figured out by now, Reds and Yellows can be very rapid-fire communicators, especially when they are in a hurry. They speak quickly. They make decisions quickly. And they move on quickly.  The downside of that is that they can be in a hurry, so they speak before they hear the whole story. Typically, Whites and Blues are very deliberate speakers and want to have their responses well-prepared. They put a lot of thought into how and what they are going to say and do before taking action. And when they’re put on the spot for an immediate reply or reaction, paralysis of the brain can appear to set in. In more common vernacular, Whites and Blues are the people who will aim very, very carefully before firing.  Sort of like “ready, aim, aim, aim, aim, and then let’s aim again.”  Reds and Yellows have already fired the gun…and maybe several times.

Here’s the bottom-line answer to Question #3:  Listen and watch how people respond to situations and how they go about taking action. Watch how they move and charge through life and the effect this “charge through life” has on other people. Pay attention to how they make decisions and what they need before they are willing to make a final commitment.

So fast-forward a couple of weeks to my follow-up meetings with the employee and discussions about her second homework assignment…Putting her Decoding lesson into action.

Here’s what she had to say: 

“I think that he’s a Red and very, very comfortable being a Red. The reasons for saying that is because he’s very straightforward, he makes so many decisions so fast, he has a vision of where the company is going, and he’s not afraid. But most of all, he doesn’t have a clue about the effect his actions have on those of us trying our best to keep up with him. Now please understand, it’s not because he’s mean or bad or anything like that, but just because he’s so focused on what needs to get done next, and his goal is getting it done. And then once he is ‘finished’ (in his mind anyway), it’s on to the next thing. If you don’t have your running shoes on, he’ll leave you in the dust without ever meaning to.

“Now that I know I’m a Blue and that telling the whole story is part of who I am,  I feel better knowing about how he reacts when I get put on the spot. I think I understand why he seemed to tune me out or appear not to care about what I had to say. I understand I’m responsible for me, and I just didn’t understand what I was giving him isn’t what he needed from me. He just wanted to hear the bullet points, and I wanted him to read the novel.”

She went on to tell me that she put her theory to the test during a recent meeting she had with him and the other directors. She said he asked her to give him a quick rundown of some of the things that were happening in her department.  She said she looked him straight in the eye, gave him a quick synopsis of the major issues, and then handed him a written report containing some additional data he might need …and then she sat down.

In her words, “He was floored. He asked me if I was ok and did I want to add anything else.” When I said, no I was done unless he had questions, he turned to the remainder of the directors and said, “Now that’s the way an update should be given.”

In looking back at this one event, it really personifies the impact Color Code has on people’s lives – both at work and in their personal lives. Of all the classes we teach about the Color Code concepts, I believe that decoding is the one that brings the most value to our students and has the largest impact on how people navigate their world. 

While other classes like Why You Do What You Do may have the more “AHA moments,” learning and practicing the concept of Decoding brings us the ability to really understand and to connect with people in all aspects of our lives and can benefit all of us for our entire lifetime.

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Carol Westberry was introduced to Color Code in 1994 and certified as a Color Code Trainer in 2011. Carol has made Color Code and the principles outlined by Dr. Hartman an integral part of her human resources professional services and client trainings. A fun-motivated (flaming) YELLOW, Carol uses her natural talents of enthusiasm and optimism to guide her clients through all the serious facets of human resources. Her career includes being a certified Human Resources professional in the corporate as well as the consulting worlds, a management and leadership trainer, an international best-selling author and an accomplished workshop and seminar presenter. As a featured speaker at numerous annual conferences and conventions, Carol has designed and delivered HR Compliance Color Code-focused workshops to thousands of people. Carol is married to her high school sweetheart, has traveled extensively, and admits that she plays “at” playing golf. She also enjoys reminding her Red husband that she is the only one in the family who has ever made a hole-in-one.

Reducing Stress Through Personality-Specific Yoga Poses

I remember the first time I did yoga. I was in a warm, smelly gymnasium, surrounded by my fellow sixth graders. The lights were dim, and my hippie-dippie sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Harris was leading us in the zen practice she loved so dearly. I stifled laughter the entire time. The idea of pretending to be a tree or a chair could not seem crazier to me. I thought it was so stupid and did not care for the experience at all. 

More than 17 years have passed, and I’ve not only come to love yoga since then, I recently started my training to become a certified yoga instructor. Maybe it’s the added stress life has handed me since the somewhat carefree days of sixth grade, but I now find yoga to be extremely soothing and joy-inducing! One of the things I love most about it is that it can be tailored to individuals so that everyone is going at their own pace and doing what feels right to their body that day. As Color Code teaches us, we are all different, and some of those one-size-fits-all workout programs out there are just not going to work for everyone.

Another thing I love about yoga is that even just doing one pose in a day can increase mindfulness and reduce stress! Stress-free, sixth grade me found chair pose and tree pose to be difficult and pointless, but fast forward a few years, and 16-year-old me relished the minutes I spent focusing on my breathing in corpse pose as I let the stress of high school melt off of me. As adults living in a global pandemic, I’d say we could all use a stress reliever. If yoga seems intimidating to you, or you feel you are too busy to do an entire yoga flow, have no fear: I am here to introduce you to just one pose you can do each day that caters to your personality.

FOR THE BLUES

Blues, as you know, life is all about relationships. You guys constantly work hard to serve others, spend time with loved ones and provide a listening ear for friends and strangers alike. You are doing a great job on building relationships with others, but what about your relationship with yourself? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by how much you are giving to others? Does it ever feel like you are giving way more than you are taking? Instead of letting that feeling build up inside you until you start to hold grudges, try taking a little of that time you put toward others, and put it toward yourself. It’s amazing to me how powerful the practice of giving yourself a hug is. I remember the first time I did this in a yoga practice, and it felt like I was being swallowed up in love. Try doing this by lying flat on your back and then drawing your knees up toward your chest. Wrap your arms around your legs and slowly begin to rock back and forth. Then, close your eyes, focus on taking deep breaths, and feel that love radiate throughout your body!

FOR THE YELLOWS

It might not seem like Yoga and Yellow go together, but my very Yellow sister loves to do yoga! Yoga really helps with concentration and can actually be really fun. One of the most fun poses to try out is Crow. Now don’t get me wrong, Crow is challenging and took me years to master. However, part of the reason it is fun is because you can get a good laugh out of making yourself look like a fool the first several times you try it. And the great thing about Yellows is y’all are great about laughing at yourselves. Once you do master it, you’ll have a blast doing it. To get started, get into a squatting position with your toes and knees pointing outward and your hands placed flat on the floor in front of you. Then, begin to lean forward until your legs are resting on the backs of your arms and you’re holding almost all of your body weight with your hands. Finally, lift both of your feet off of the ground so that you basically look like a frog in mid-flight. Pro-tip: To keep your balance, keep your gaze focused just in front of you. Fun, right?? 🙂

FOR THE REDS

A Red personality’s core motive is power, and I can’t think of a better power pose in yoga than Warrior I. When I do Warrior I, it makes me feel strong and brave, which, let’s be honest, is probably how Reds feel most of the time. But life is stressful, and even Reds could use a reminder now and then that they can slay any project that comes their way. To do Warrior I, get into a lunge position and raise your arms up toward the sky. The deeper the lunge, the better the workout and the stronger you’ll feel. 

FOR THE WHITES

For a White personality who values peace above all else, the chaos of the world can get extremely overwhelming. Yoga brings a lot of inner peace to its students, so I would recommend becoming a practiced Yogi to any White. However, if a regular yoga flow doesn’t appeal to you and you’d rather stick with one pose a day, I’d suggest Child’s Pose. Child’s Pose is perfect for checking in with yourself and recharging for a minute or so. It brings immediate peace and relaxation, and it’s pretty comfortable, so it’s a pose you can stay in for a while. White’s, we all know you are silently stubborn and do NOT enjoy feeling controlled. But, inevitably, life is going to feel like it’s controlling you at times. Child’s Pose to me is a pose of surrender. Envisioning yourself surrendering to life and your circumstances in this pose can help you feel like you’re taking a leap of faith and accepting your journey rather than allowing others to throw your peace off balance. To get into Child’s Pose, get into a kneeling position, then lean forward so that your forehead is resting on the floor. Reach your arms out in front of you and let the mindful breathing begin!

If you’re one of the many who wishes they had less stress in their life but can’t seem to figure out how to make that happen, give your respective yoga personality pose a try. Breathe in, breathe out, and let us know in the comments if it helps! Namaste.

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Megan Christensen is a Blue who has been writing her feelings for as long as she can remember. Megan graduated from BYU-Idaho in 2014 with a degree in communication. A lifelong fan of the Color Code, she’s thrilled to be the content editor of the blog and hopes to help as many people as possible become more self-aware. When she’s not writing, Megan can be found reading, doing yoga, and spending as much time as she can outdoors.

How Teachers Can Build Teamwork in the Classroom

High school seniors, in October, right after lunch.  As teachers, we understand what this means as far as classroom dynamics go for about the first 5 to 10 minutes of class.  Students go off campus, load up on sugars and carbohydrates, chat in the parking lot with friends, conjure up the next plan for the weekend events, commentary on social media, and have a moment of disconnect from the demands of performing on AP assignments and exams and college preparation as well as maintaining a work-school-home balance.

It was this class that prompted the utilization of Color Code as I recognized a disconnect with clique-like groups that had formed throughout the last several years of their education.  High schoolers do tend to connect with those who have similarities such as athletics, academics, extracurriculars, work schedules, and hobbies, but they lack skills to work in collaborative teams that are outside their norm.  I witnessed groups of students always leaning towards their comfort group without thinking through how many different perspectives might lead to a greater outcome and build socio-emotional skills in others and as future leaders. 

As we shifted into project development, this collaborative disconnection remained important for me to overcome and began to think through ways to differentiate the class into working groups.  It was Color Code that offered the platform to bring the class together and implement strategies that encouraged students to reach across the aisle and understand how personality characteristics can impact collaborative work and build skills for college and career readiness.  

To introduce the idea of an experiential learning project and working in collaborative groups, I used water bottle rocketry as the means to deliver Color Code.  After having my seniors (and juniors in a different class) take the free assessment, we split into teams of like colors to discuss our differences and also begin to understand the perspectives and similarities of others that we may not have understood previously.  Students then received a colored dot to place onto their student badge (required) so that there was a visual representation for the remainder of the school year. 

The first step of the design build was intentional grouping of same personality color groups, which engaged students in working with others that they would not normally select. Knowing full well that the Reds and Blues would likely break out the rulers, calculators, and draft their designs, the Yellows would likely be the last group to finish and have a non-functioning rocket that looked really pretty, and the Whites would have a horrible time getting going on their design. It took a room tour for two groups of Whites to look at other projects and see where to begin. Blues and Whites experienced struggles working together.  In fact, there were times where students created their own representation and then brought it to the group as an addition instead of a cohesive and collaborative plan.  As suspected, my prediction was true. The Reds had the highest flying and functioning rocket, and the Whites, well, I can’t even recall if it left the ground, because its paint (many layers at that) was still drying.  

The reflection piece was the most pertinent for growing students in this process.  It set the stage for a large collaborative project that would be their final STEM capstone.  They learned from one another and began to understand the skills that people bring to a group and lessened the hesitation of working with those that they didn’t know or value.  Students learned how to value one another differently and were able to set clear expectations of their teammates based on their personality color.  

This was a reminder of the importance of creating classroom structures, even for seniors, that offered an environment that was inclusive of all ideas and captured the skills of all learners.  As we send students off into a world that is full of people with lots of different skills, I hope that this process inspired them to reach out to others, different from themselves, who offer a great deal of knowledge and value to any collaborative team.         

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Machin Norris is an 11th year STEM/STEAM/STEMM educator in northern Colorado.  With a background in Agricultural Education from Colorado State University as well as a former Emergency Medical Technician, she has developed her passion of aerospace and environmental education via experiences with the Space Foundation, Space Center Houston, the National Air and Space Museum, National Geographic, and the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship.  Norris is a believer in experiential and transformational science education specific to strengthening skills of underserved, underrepresented, and at-risk students.  Color Code, alongside mentorship, has offered her a platform to develop effective teams in and outside her classroom and encourage student growth in self-efficacy and agency.