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