Given summer’s heat and opportunity for reflection, thoughts turn to trust, which can be maddeningly elusive. This month let us consider subtle yet essential threads that bind families, friends and colleagues, creating bridges where walls might now stand.
As a lifelong seeker, I have pondered the steps of what can be a delicate dance, especially within leadership teams. From high school to my career in journalism, higher education advancement and teaching, the nuances of human connection have captured my imagination.
Recently, the graduation of my friend Lisa Hudson and Aims colleague Larry Pakowski from Leadership Northern Colorado stirred memories of my own transformative year with Leadership Omaha four decades ago – a portal into awareness of self and one’s field of endeavor.
Back then, the Gregorc Style Delineator helped illuminate our thinking styles. Unlike the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or the Enneagram, this self-administered tool focused on problem-solving approaches. Were we structured and hands-on, or intuitive and emotionally engaged? Within the LO class, a canvas of personalities unfolded, revealing unique hues.
Newly arrived at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, my management authority expanded beyond writing and editing to broader community “outreach.” As a group leader and counselor to the executive team, I delved into personality typology, self-awareness and interpersonal communication. The big idea? One learns to collaborate effectively with less stress and conflict. When we truly understand ourselves and others, trust emerges.
Fast forward to Fall 2024, wherein my business students will engage “True Colors,” a popular diagnostic tool that I have experienced twice at Aims, most recently to mutual respect and confidence within the faculty association leadership team. Or we may tackle a second, “OCEAN (CANOE),” which also offers promise.
For the record, I enjoy experimenting with my students, learning through hiccups and triumphs. Openness to discovery also embraces revolutionary large language models in artificial intelligence, unseen collaborator with the following capsule summaries. First, True Colors, fun, purposeful tool for a future Chamber of Commerce “leadership” class?
Four colors: empathy, stability, ingenuity, adventure
Blue souls seek connection, to bridge chasms of misunderstanding. Empathy flows through their veins, and they yearn for their feelings to be honored. In the workplace, your Blue colleague is the peacemaker, soothing ruffled feathers and weaving unity. At home, Blues listen with their hearts, recognizing that vulnerability binds relationships.
Gold is the color of tradition, responsibility and unwavering loyalty. These individuals value family, authority and punctuality. Their desks are orderly, calendars precise. The bedrock upon which institutions thrive, their reliability guides fellow travelers through life’s storms.
Green represents innovation, abstract thinking and independence. These minds crave puzzles, dissecting problems acutely. Greens scoff at routine, preferring the uncharted path. Yet, they often need help with minutiae – details that escape their lofty thoughts. Green entrepreneurs dream of changing the world, one disruptive idea at a time.
Orange is the hue of spontaneity, optimism and unbridled energy. These souls thrive on risk, dancing on the edge of convention. Routine is their nemesis; they crave the thrill of the unknown. The Orange friend invites you to leap from cliffs. Their zest for life is contagious, their laughter echoes.
Big Five personality traits
Lately I have come to appreciate complementary insights into human behavior deriving from the OCEAN model (sometimes CANOE) Big Five Personality Traits: The OCEAN Model Explained (positivepsychology.com):
• Openness … reflects curiosity, creativity and a willingness to explore fresh ideas and experiences. It embraces diverse perspectives, encourages learning from different viewpoints and fosters an environment where creativity and innovation thrive.
• Conscientiousness … Individuals so disposed are organized, dependable and goal-oriented. They demonstrate reliability and consistency, set clear expectations and encourage others to be diligent and responsible.
• Extraversion … thrives on social interactions, assertiveness and energy from others. Extraverts build trust by actively engaging with colleagues and family members, encourage open communication and collaboration and invest in networking.
• Agreeableness … are friendly, empathetic and cooperative. Such individuals show kindness and understanding toward others, resolve conflicts with empathy and a win-win mindset. They foster a positive and supportive atmosphere.
• Neuroticism … relates to one’s susceptibility to negative emotions such as sadness, worry and low self-esteem. Low scores in this domain suggest less self-doubt, greater capacity to manage stress effectively and avoid unnecessary conflict.
Recognizing that trust blooms across bridges, infrequently behind walls, wisdom suggests these traits be pondered in humility, taking care no single “color” be championed “best.” May the humble Francis of Assisi be our guide … “grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.”
Next time: a fresh look at two archetypes featured in a new book that bears on relationships: One leaves us craving validation, the other fills our cups. Stay tuned.
Lou Cartier teaches at Aims Community College, focusing on ethical challenges facing business leaders and the enduring “soft skills” that underlie success at work, home, and community. Views and opinions here are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of Aims.
