A few years ago a dear friend of ours offered to give a couple of his married friends a breakdown of something called the colour code. What the heck is that I thought? And as much as I enjoy and like Johan, it would be more fun to just hang out with some of our friends rather than do some test and check....and then learn.
[Credit from Youtube]
Needless to say, as a white (will explain why this is significant) I went along with the plans and was going to just try enjoy the whole experience.
We quickly learned that there was a way to find out what our core motives were, and also find out what our significant others (whether wife/husband/children etc) core motives are, and how to best interact with them, and also what strengths and weaknesses our own personalities have as well.
It sounded almost too good to be true.
I have been in the corporate world where psychometrics have been used for years to try ascertain if a person would fit a role that the organisation is needing. These were always quite insightful, but unfortunately they changed according to the current experiences the person was going through.
For example, you may require a positive personality for a sales position, yet the person who is normally very positive may be going through a divorce during the time that they took the test, and this would then show that the person has very little positive energy or positive self image due to their experiences. You can see the issue with this.....
Now the colour code was a very different system altogether, as this would give the persons CORE motives. These don't change! You know what you're dealing with and what pushes buttons, affects the person regardless of what situation their lives are in.
The secondary colours that the person shows are based on their situations, and experiences that are happening constantly. A person is different at work compared to home with the kids.
I was personally shocked at how accurate this colour code was with regards to the wife and I. It was spot on!! And this was the experience with all the couples that were there with us.
I got intrigued and read the book that has the breakdowns in detail, how to deal with other colours, how to overcome your weaknesses, how to strengthen yourself etc.
I would go as far as to say this changed everything for me.
I found out what colours my children were, and then my staff. Dealing with them knowing this made things a lot simpler and better understood.
I'm not saying this is a save all, or all knowing and perfect system, but it is really the best on the market!! If you want to understand yourself and those with whom you interact, check it out.
Please take note, that I am NOT affiliated with the program at all, and am speaking as one that has felt the benefit of the system.
Check out the page, where images and tests come from.
https://www.taylorhartman.com/
Overview of colours (to find out your colours check the test at the end of the blog)
REDS - logical
Reds are hungry for power
Simply stated, Reds want their own way. If they have been raised in environments where they were able to
manipulate their parents and siblings, they become difficult to manage as they get older. When they have gotten
their way for too long, Reds find it almost impossible to relinquish their power and freedom when they meet
authorities in society (teachers, bosses, police, clergy, military officers) who refuse to grant them the total
control they demand.
Reds want to be productive
Reds like to work—in school, in their careers, and in their relationships. Just don’t expect them to attach the
same importance to things other people care about—like other people’s schooling, careers, and marriages. But
give them a reason to produce, and watch them take off. Reds like to get the job done. They are often
workaholics. They will, however, resist being forced to do anything that doesn’t interest them.
Reds want to look good to others
Reds need to appear knowledgeable. They crave approval from others for their intelligence and insight. They
want to be respected even more than they want to be loved. They want to be admired for their logical, practical
minds. When you deal with a Red, be precise and factual. Reds are unmoved by tears and other displays of
“weakness.”
Reds shouldn’t be taken too seriously
Reds are often just stating the facts as they see them, despite their antagonistic demeanor. They seldom say “in
my opinion” before stating their opinions. I have seen too many Blues, Whites, and Yellows become greatly
concerned over issues raised by Reds, only to discover later that the Reds were simply interested in debating.
Reds enjoy a good power play. But once you get emotionally involved arguing issues, you may be disappointed
and frustrated to find that a Red is no longer interested.
Reds seek leadership opportunities
Despite the rigidity of the military, many young Red men and women select it as a career in order to experience
leadership. Reds are often called “control freaks.” They like to be in the driver’s seat. Red children are often
frustrated in school because teachers (often Blue personalities) won’t let them take charge. If a Red can get the
upper hand, he or she will. Reds are willing to pay any price for an opportunity to lead
BLUES - emotional
Blues are motivated by altruism
Blues love to do nice things for others. They look for opportunities to give up something in order to bring
another person happiness. Selflessness rather than selfishness is their guiding philosophy. Many Blues are
uncomfortable doing things solely for themselves. They hold doors open for people, offer rides when someone’s
car breaks down, contribute to charities, even devote their entire lives to helping others.
Blues seek intimacy
More than anything else, Blues want to love and be loved. A true Blue will sacrifice a successful career to
improve an important relationship. Once considered solely a female characteristic, this nurturing is more
accurately understood as a Blue personality trait.
Blues crave being understood
Blues are gratified when they are listened to, when they feel understood and appreciated. They are notorious for
revealing their inadequacies, because they value being known and understood so much. In the eyes of a Blue,
being vulnerable is a small price to pay for the chance to connect emotionally. Blues may have their hearts
broken more than most people, but they also spend much more time in love.
Blues need to be remembered and appreciated
With Blues, a simple pat on the back will not suffice. Blues expend such great effort in making the world a better
place that sometimes they need to be told how wonderful they are. They need to be thanked and specifically
remembered for their good deeds. They need sincere gratitude. They delight in being remembered on birthdays
and other special days, especially if the remembrance is personal—a homemade anniversary card, a welcome
home party, a special day that isn’t on the calendar. Blues need tender loving care.
Blues are directed by a strong moral conscience
Blues are motivated to behave in a proper, appropriate manner. They have a moral code that guides them in
their decision-making, their value judgments, even their leisure time. Blues enjoy being “good.” Of all the
personality colors, Blues come equipped with the strongest sense of integrity. A Blue would rather lose than
cheat. Blues are trustworthy. Ethically, Blues are the people who should be in positions of power, but seldom
are.
WHITES - Logical
Whites are motivated by peace
Whites will do almost anything to avoid confrontation. They like to flow through life without hassle or
discomfort. Feeling good is even more important than being good.
Whites need kindness
While Whites respond beautifully to thoughtfulness and amiability, they have a strong, silent stubbornness that
surfaces when they are treated unkindly. They resent being scolded. They dislike harsh words. They open up
instantly to people who are kind, but recoil from those who are hostile. They are motivated by kindness—and
can’t understand why other people are unkind.
Whites prefer quiet strength
Whites enjoy their quiet independence. What appears to some people as quiet desperation can show itself to be
bullheadedness. Those who misinterpret the peace-loving nature of a White as an invitation to be demanding
and bossy will soon meet a wall of passive resistance. Whites are tougher than people think.
Whites like to keep a low profile
Whites like to be asked their opinions. They won’t volunteer them. They value the respect of others, but they
rarely go out of their way to seek it. They need to be coaxed to talk about their skills, hobbies, and interests.
Whites are independent
Unlike Reds and Blues, who want to control others, Whites seek only to avoid being controlled. They simply
refuse to be under another’s thumb, especially when treated without the respect they feel they deserve. Whites
want to do things their own way, in their own time. They don’t ask much of others, and resent it when others
demand things from them. They often comply with unreasonable demands—just to keep peace. They will
express their anger and frustration only when they can no longer stand being bossed around. Whites don’t like
to be pushed, and they can be fearsome when they finally “blow up.”
Whites are motivated by other people’s desires
Whites are open to the recommendations of others on ways to resolve any and all situations. White executives
value new management ideas from employees. White children welcome help—they are receptive students.
Whites make agreeable dates. They are interested in making sure the other person has a good time, and are
willing to do whatever the other person wants. Whites, however, want suggestions—not demands.
[Credit colorcode.com]
YELLOWS - Emotional
Yellows value play
Yellows consider life to be a party. And they’re hosting. One father (Blue) was disappointed when his son
(Yellow) preferred spending time with friends instead of with him. I reminded the father that his son was
motivated by fun, and suggested that he should try to come up with activities that his son felt were exciting. It
was the “better offer” principle—and it worked. Yellows just want to have fun.
Yellows welcome praise
Yellows need to be noticed. Little else improves a relationship with a Yellow more than praise. Yellows need to
know they are valued and approved of. Yellows often act as though they have the world by the tail, but they do
have their fears and frustrations—which they rarely confide until they know they are emotionally safe. Safety is
most effectively evidenced to Yellows through praise.
Yellows need emotional connections
Yellows often appear so nonchalant that people think they don’t care about anything. Nothing could be further
from the truth. Yellows need a great deal of attention. They need to be stroked. Yellows enjoy touching. To
them, physical contact is often the most direct, comfortable intimate connection.
Yellows want to be popular
Yellows like to be center stage. Social acceptance is very important to them. Friendships command a high
priority in their lives because popularity answers one of their basic needs—the need for general approval.
Yellows are highly verbal. They relish good conversation, but they can also simply go with the flow. Yellows can
superficially chitchat with the best of them.
Yellows like action
Easily bored, Yellows seek adventure. They can never sit still for long. They choose friends who, like them,
refuse to allow the “boring details” to get in the way of the most important think in life—play. Ironically,
numerous people are currently misdiagnosed as having ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) when, in fact, they are
merely Yellow personalities struggling with their innate inability to sit still very long and/or stay focused.
[Credit Colorcode.com]
The Test
https://www.taylorhartman.com/taylorhartmantest/form/taylorhartman
It would be interesting to know if you're aware of this, and also how this helped you and your relationships. It has been brilliant for me and the wife and it seems the same for thousands of people worldwide.
I think its an inspired program, and the insight and information is wonderful! And there is a LOT more depth to it than what I've tried to explain.
From a white, have fun finding out who you are and your part in the world.
Cheers!