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Color Communication Styles

Posted By: Joan Burge on 5/18/2009

Red, green, yellow or blue - which are you? It’s just plain fun to learn about communication styles. But more important than that is you can really have an impact on others when you understand various styles. Not everyone has a “preferred” communication style but if someone does, you will want to try to determine that and which one. The reason is you want that person to listen to you and be open to whatever it is you are communicating. You can also use this information to be persuasive, build rapport, and balance the other person’s style.

Red: Concrete, impulsive, risk taker. Likes to get things done and is very action-oriented. Wants to know the short-term objectives of a project. Doesn’t like indecision and vagueness in others. Be supportive of Red’s goals and objectives. Be businesslike. Avoid trying to get personal. If you disagree, argue the facts, not feelings. Be short and to the point.

Yellow: Empathetic, personal, intuitive. Emphasizes human relationships and feelings when communicating. Likes to be involved in decision-making process. Enjoys friendly, informal relationships with everyone. Don’t hurry the discussion. Emphasize feelings. Try to avoid arguments, but look for alternative solutions you can both agree on.

Blue: Introspective, creative, conceptual. Makes associations, has insights. Needs personal freedom. Enjoys expressing ideas. Asks questions for understanding. Can take small pieces of information and form a whole. Be supportive of Blue’s feelings and idealism. Try to show that you are interested in him/her as a person. Be informal, casual.

Green: Precise, analytical, impersonal. Likes consistency and logic. Prefers clear procedures, rules and regulations. Wants guidelines and structure. Needs to know deadlines. Be systematic, exact, organized and prepared with Green. Give Green time to make a decision. Don’t push for quick action or responses. Provide solid, tangible evidence to support your ideas.

This information is taken from our World Class Assistant Part 1 and 2 high-end boot camp.

Today's entry was also shared in my weekly Monday Motivator message. I want to hear from you, my blog readers, do you think you have a preferred style of communication and if so, which one? Other ideas on how you like to be communicated to that will help our readers?

Joan Burge

3 Comments

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- May 18 2009, 1:46 PM Jessica
- What do you get when you mix red, yellow, blue & green? My conglomerated communication style! Actually, I believe I am predominantly green, but here's the points in the other colors that seem to fit me. Red - like to get things done (action/task-oriented); Yellow - I try to be sensitive to others and communicate in a way that works best for both of us; Blue - I always ask questions to be sure I understand. Thanks, Joan, that was fun!
- May 18 2009, 4:21 PM Tori
- I am definitely blue and red. I usually start out as blue, then move to red. If I already know what is involved, I go straight to red.
- Jun 02 2009, 11:09 PM Joan Burge
- Hi Jessica and Tori! Good comments. When a person embraces characteristics from each of the colors it means they don't have a predominant style. That means that you can move in and out communicating with others of those colors more easily than a person (like me) who definitely has a predominant communication style. I'm pretty much red most of the time. Then next in line is blue, green, and yellow is my least favorite. Your challenge would be if you had to communicate in one style for any length of time. Whereas it is easy for me to communicate in a red style for hours. This information is very helpful in interacting with others who have definite preferred styles. If you want them to be more open to you, you communicate in the style they need. Again, this should be easier for you because you take in the various color characteristics.

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