Navigating the journey of self-discovery can be daunting, yet it's a crucial step towards becoming the leader you aspire to be. It's not just about facing the challenges; it's about understanding how those challenges shape how you approach the challenges you face. At Extraordinary Advisors, we start this journey with a simple yet profound step: discovering your 'Color Code' personality.
Why Your Color Matters
Your Color Code isn't just a label; it's a lens through which you see the world, especially under stress. Knowing whether you're a power-efficient Red, a deep-feeling Blue, a fun-loving Yellow, or a peace-seeking White, can illuminate not only your strengths but also the reactive patterns that might be holding you back.
Each color has a motivation –
- Reds – efficiency
- Blues – intimacy
- Yellows – fun
- Whites – peace
My Color Code Journey
As a 'Blue,' I've experienced firsthand the depth of empathy and sincerity this color represents. Blues are driven by a need to be understood and appreciated, which deeply resonates with me both at home and in my work. However, this also means I can take criticism personally and feel deeply, which has been both a strength and a challenge.
In moments of high stress, my Blue nature can lead me to retreat and ponder, often more than necessary. Recognizing this has been a game-changer for me. It’s helped me to step back and manage my responses more effectively, especially in crucial conversations where my natural sensitivity could cloud my judgment.
I have a client who is also a Blue who shows up differently because we’re all unique humans, but her motivation of intimacy and connection are the same. Also, like me, when she’s triggered, she responds similarly–defensively.
When you’re asked to take the test, it will ask you to respond as if you were your childhood self. So when this client took the test, she showed up to our first meeting, tripped, and triggered–"I'm not a child, and I've come a long way from being that scared little girl." Lo and behold, she showed up completely as expected – defensive, and she took the results deeply personally.
Knowing she shows up that way when triggered allows her to take more thoughtful action. To ask herself crucial questions about why she’s triggered, what’s making her feel defensive, and most importantly, allows her to own her part in it (see previous newsletter). She now leads her team with thoughtful curiosity. She can hear others and their ideas without taking them personally. She can lead with vulnerability while still being able to make tough decisions.
Take the Next Step
Embark on this journey of self-discovery. Visit the Color Code website, take the assessment, and share your results with me. Understanding your primary Color is the first step in a process that's both revealing and transformative.
Our Next Steps:
1. Visit the Color Code website and take the assessment.
2. Email us your Color.
3. Receive personalized insights on recognizing when you're triggered and strategies to manage your responses.
This process is not about confrontation but about compassion—for yourself and for those you lead. Knowing your motivations and triggers and then understanding how to manage them can transform how you lead, making you not only a more effective leader but also a catalyst for creating a truly supportive and psychologically safe environment.
Let’s make this exploration one of the most empowering actions you take this year. I look forward to hearing from you.
With gratitude,
Todd
