Stop Misunderstanding Everyone Around You (Part 2)

Let’s get into the Greens and Blues - the types that keep the world running (even if they don’t get the glory).

# Greens: Your Rock

Think of that friend who’s always there for you, rain or shine. That’s your Green! These are the people who hold the group together, valuing harmony and stability above all.

Green Traits:

- Reliable and patient

- Good listeners

- Calm

- Conflict-avoidant

Greens are like that old sweater you can’t bear to get rid of - familiar, comfortable and always there when you need them. They’re the ones organizing the class potluck or remembering everyone’s birthdays.

Green Superpowers:

- Loyalty: They’ll stick with you even when you’re being a total arse.

- Peacemaking: Greens can smooth over conflicts like a pro.

Green Challenges:

- Indecisiveness: Choosing a lunch spot? Prepare for a long wait.

- Silent Resistance: Instead of speaking up, they’ll quietly seethe and then vent to others later.

- Trouble expressing opinions or taking control

Interacting with Greens:

- Create a calm environment - they hate chaos!

- Be patient - they need time to process.

- Offer reassurance - Greens can be worriers.

- Take the lead when necessary - they might struggle with big decisions.

Remember, Greens are the most common type. They might not be the loudest in the room but they’re often the backbone of any successful team.

# Blues: The Detail-Loving Perfectionists

Ever met someone who can spot a typo from a mile away? That’s your Blue! These analytical types love precision and getting it just right.

Blue Traits:

- Logical and methodical

- Very detail oriented

- Strive for perfection

- Value accuracy and quality

Blues are like human computers - processing information, finding patterns and solving complex problems with ease.

Blue Superpowers:

- Fact-checking wizards: They’ll find those tiny errors everyone else missed.

- Independent workers: Give them a task and they’ll crush it solo.

- Planners extraordinaire: Need every detail of a project mapped out? Call a Blue!

Blue Challenges:

- Analysis paralysis: They can get stuck overthinking every possible scenario.

- Emotional bottling: Blues keep their feelings locked up tight.

- Losing the forest for the trees: They can focus so much on the details they miss the big picture.

Interacting with Blues:

- Bring facts and data - they love accuracy!

- No emotional appeals - stick to logic.

- Give them time to think it through.

- Help them zoom out.

If you see someone color-coding their notes or fact-checking every statement in a group discussion, you’ve got a Blue!

# We’re All a Mix

Most of us are a mix of two colors, around 80%, and it can change depending on the situation. I’m probably a mix of Blue and Green. (Yeah, there’s an 80% chance you’re a mix of two or three colors). Once you start seeing these colors in yourself, you can start to see them in others, your friends, parents, teachers, and even those classmates who drive you crazy!

# The Ultimate Life Hack: Learning to Adapt

Communicating with someone of a different color is all about meeting them where they are. You wouldn’t expect a Yellow to geek out over spreadsheets, right? Or a Red to patiently wait while you weigh every pro and con of a decision?

Adapting your communication style to match others is like having a secret superpower. It can help you:

- Build stronger relationships

- Avoid unnecessary conflicts

- Turn those “difficult” people into awesome collaborators

Erikson’s book is full of advice on how to navigate different personalities. It’s not about changing who you are - it’s about adjusting your approach to connect better with others.

Why This Matters

Understanding personality colors isn’t just about putting people in boxes. It’s about:

1. Recognizing we’re all wired differently (and that’s okay!)

2. Learning to communicate more with everyone

3. Building diverse, well-rounded teams that can tackle anything

Think about it - a team of all Reds would be all action and no planning. All Greens? They might never make a decision! We need a mix to create something truly awesome (and way less frustrating).

This is just the tip of the iceberg of “Surrounded by Idiots”. The book is full of real-life examples, practical advice and even a quiz to test your color knowledge. It’s not just for school - this stuff is life-changing!

Remember, as Erikson says, “The impossible just takes a little longer.”

So, what’s your color combo? Comment below! (Plus, comments keep these posts visible, so comment them! 🙏)

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