To be a successful communicator, we first need to understand ourselves. Then we need to understand others, but how?

Insights Discovery shows us that we all have a preferred style when it comes to communication and it’s split into colours.

Have a look and see which colour is most like you:

Cool Blue

• Prefers to work alone
• Analytical – process driven
• Cautious
• Precise
• Deliberate
• Questioning
• Formal

Fiery Red

• Prefers to lead others
• Positive – results driven
• Competitive
• Demanding
• Strong willed
• Purposeful

Earth Green

• Prefers to work 1 on 1
• Focuses on others
• Caring
• Encouraging
• Sharing
• Patient
• Relaxed

Sunshine Yellow

• Prefers to work in groups
• Focus on motivating
• Social
• Dynamic
• Demonstrative
• Enthusiastic
• Persuasive

Put a tick next to the words that best describe you. This will give you an understanding of your preferred style when it comes to how you see yourself and how you see others.

We are all made up of all the colours, however its which one (or sometimes two) is our preferred style that shows how we communicate.

This was a game changer for me, it made me want to know more about the different styles and how their personality traits affected their communication with others. Once you can identify the preferred ‘colour’ of your colleagues, corporate partners and prospects, it really does open up a whole new dynamic!

You can even look back on specific interactions and pinpoint why they turned into a disagreement or an important win. You will also see why you instantly ‘click’ with some people and not others.

So next time you’re in a meeting and there’s someone who is doing all the talking and they are really taking over they are probably ‘Yellow’ in their energy and want to be involved.

That person who is sat quiet taking notes, they are probably ‘blue’ and analysing all the facts, to ensure they understand the process logically before they start what is expected of them.

“Come on team, lets make it happen” there’s your ‘Red’ colleague, focusing on the result.

“Is everyone ok with this, do you need any support?” This is your green colleague making sure everyone is working in harmony.

Applying insights to corporate partnerships

So how can we use this information when we want to engage a corporate prospect or strengthen a current partnership?

Read the emails they’ve sent to your or their messages on social media to pick up clues on what ‘colour’ the person is. Then you want to  mirror their style.

So if you want to secure a meeting with a ‘Blue’ it’s important to talk facts and figures, remember they are analytical in their thinking, don’t expect a quick response as they will need to consider all the options.

With a ‘Green’ it’s important to focus on your shared purpose and what you can do as a partnership. What are the benefits for both of you? It’s all about feeling.

With a ‘Yellow’ expect to talk about a few subjects before you get down to the matter in hand, they will want to talk about anything and everything! Once you have their attention make sure you follow it up in writing, so they don’t forget.

Finally, ‘Red’ they will be precise and decisive, so using facts and getting straight to the point will get you an instant answer to your request.

Insights Discovery is a really powerful tool for anyone that wants to communicate with others more effectively. Think about the preferences of your colleagues, corporate partners and prospects and how you can better match their style to strengthen your relationships.

This blog is a guest post by Zoe Beattie, Community & Business Partner, Deafblind UK.