True Colors in Your Workplace (& Other Guidelines for Navigating True Colors at Work)

Updated: Jan 21, 2022

It's not always easy to self-evaluate, especially in a work context.

True Colors can help achieve this while providing a solid foundation to build upon individually and with a team. But when it comes to introducing True Colors to your workplace, you want to do it the right way! I've come up with a few DOs and DON'Ts that can help you and your team get the MOST out of your True Colors experience!

Here are my ground rules for using True Colors with your team:

DO: Talk about True Colors With Your Coworkers!

How can a team grow and level up after a workshop if you never discuss the things you've learned? Make it a part of the conversation!

DON'T: Weaponize True Colors

Topics centering around our personalities are, well, personal. It's how we see and interface with the world, so it shouldn't be used to tease or belittle a team member. When touching something personal, even light jokes can feel like a direct insult or attack.

DO: Stay Curious

Take an opportunity to develop your skills of self-observation and self-awareness by looking deeper into your brightest colors.

Read more about your personality type and ask questions about how colors manifest differently in others.

DON'T: Make It the Topic of Every Team Meeting

The purpose of True Colors is to help with team development, but it's not the sole method of professional introspection.

Bringing up our colors at every meeting won't do much for your team other than causing burnout. It's more productive being brought up periodically, rather than constantly, as it helps to increase retention and create change in the work culture.

DON'T: Hire/Fire by Type

A color type doesn't make for a better or worse employee/teammate, nor does it predict one's performance and job skills.

True Colors shouldn't be used as part of the job application process, but rather utilized to help bring cohesion in the workplace and understanding amongst coworkers thanks to deeper knowledge and respect of temperaments.

DO: Have a Visual Reminder

Try displaying any True Colors or team reports, graphics, workbooks, or fun workshop creations around in your workspace. Having the information you learned on hand can make it easier to retain in your mind. Not to mention, they can also be excellent conversation pieces!

You and your teammates can also help decorate each other's workspace by making holiday or birthday gifts (stickers, keychains, office supplies, nameplates, candles, etc.) in their brightest colors to display.

DO: Embrace All Four Colors

You are more than just a singular color!

Your brightest color might say a lot, but it's not the only aspect that defines you. Even if someone is an energetic, outgoing Orange, that doesn't mean they can't have strokes of the innovative, analytical Green, or can't also be punctual, organized Gold. We are all diverse and complex beings of various shades, which means our personalities can be a blend of all four colors.

Keep an open mind in learning new things about yourself and your coworkers.

DON'T: Use Your Color as a Crutch

"Because they don't align with your color", is never a valid reason for procrastinating or shirking your job responsibilities.

Green could be your farthest color but that doesn't mean you won't be analyzing numbers or reports for your job. Whether or not you're a bright Gold, you will still have that task checklist of tasks or spreadsheets to fill out, okay?

DON'T: Stereotype Others

No one should be in a position where they feel constrained or have to defend who they are.

Telling a teammate "Oh you're such a Blue" whenever something related to emotions occurs can result in your Blue coworkers feeling misunderstood or even becoming closed-off.

A team can't truly understand one another and grow together if they're isolated into labels. Engagement should come with curiosity instead of rigidity.

DO: Expect Growth Over Time

Personal development isn't something that happens overnight. What you learn today might take time to understand and apply.

Always keep in mind that substantial growth does not follow a quick, linear path; it's something that takes hard work, dedication, and patience.

DON'T: Isolate the Info

Learning about True Colors isn't a one-and-done type of deal. It's a lesson that works best by continuing the conversations in the workplace, both formally and organically.

Scheduling follow-up workshops, coaching, or training sessions can help keep the topic relevant and useful for your team.

DO: Hire a Professional

Is the internet very helpful in finding information and references? Certainly! Can you find a True Colors assessment worksheet just by typing it in the search bar? Sure. But, while the internet might offer a few articles or a quick quiz on the topic, it can't truly help your team learn and grow as a unit nor as individuals.

That's why hiring a certified True Colors facilitator can make all the difference if you want to see significant change. They can work with your team in helping to understand their colors, the history, and philosophies associated with the program, the importance of personality typology, and how it can help in matters like interpersonal development and improving the workplace environment.

When Used Responsibly True Colors Can:

Offer awareness of personality similarities and differences.
Diffuse interpersonal conflict and improve communication by providing your team a common language with which to talk about themselves.
Aid in self-disclosure appropriate for the workplace.
Offer sustainable personal and professional development to all employees.
Help develop leadership and managerial skills.

When NOT Used Responsibly True Colors Can:

Cause lasting damage to a team or an individual's career through stereotyping, weaponizing color characteristics, or firing based on type.
Create division between those who like true colors and those who don't.
Open the door for pettiness, judgment, or criticism based on type.
Seem "fluffy" or substance-less if not delivered in its entirety or by a trained professional.

Avoid using True Colors the WRONG way by selecting a True Colors Certified Facilitator with the right experience, training, education, and ethics to fit your team.

Look for the certified facilitator badge when selecting your True Colors facilitator, like the one next to my signature!! Ready to take your True Colors experience to the next level?? Yeah, you are!! Let's do this.

Get started with True Colors here!