Using Colour Theory To Understand Your Team

Every team is a blend of personalities, each with its own strengths, quirks, and motivators. Colour theory helps leaders and teams understand those differences, creating stronger collaboration and higher performance.

The idea comes from models like 'DISC', a model that Thomas Erikson discusses in great detail in his book, 'Surrounded By Idiots'.

Each of the four personality types are linked to colours: red, green, yellow, and blue.

Each of these colours represents distinct traits: Reds are typically action-oriented leaders, Yellows bring creativity and enthusiasm, Greens value harmony and support, and Blues bring structure and precision. 

recognising these "colours" within your team can help you play to everyone's strengths and build a workplace culture that is inclusive and efficient.

Red – The Driven Leader

Reds are natural leaders, known for being decisive and results-driven. They push projects forward, keep everyone focused on goals, and make sure deadlines are met. Having a Red personality on your team can add that extra momentum, especially when you’re facing tight timelines or ambitious objectives. If you’re a Red, consider how you can channel this energy to inspire your team, keeping them motivated while staying open to input from others.

Yellow – The Creative Optimist

Yellows bring enthusiasm, creativity, and positivity to the group. They excel in brainstorming sessions, coming up with fresh ideas, and encouraging everyone with their infectious energy. Their strong people skills also make them great at building client relationships. If you or someone on your team is a Yellow, try to embrace that energy in collaborative projects, using it to create a friendly and open atmosphere where everyone feels encouraged to share ideas.

Green – The Supportive Mediator

Greens are the peacekeepers, helping maintain harmony within the team. Their calm, dependable nature ensures everyone feels heard and supported, which is essential for a balanced work environment. Greens are great at mediating conflicts and keeping the mood steady when things get stressful. If you’re a Green, you might naturally create a safe, inclusive space for others to express themselves, which can be invaluable for team cohesion.

Blue – The Analytical Perfectionist

Blues are the detail-oriented critical thinkers who bring precision and structure to the table. They excel in analysing data, refining ideas, and ensuring that the work meets high standards. Blues are essential in the execution phase, providing the structure that turns ideas into polished results. If you’re a Blue, your focus on quality can inspire the team to do their best, especially when it comes to delivering accurate, high-quality work.

Applying Colour Theory in Your Own Workplace

Whether you’re leading a team or part of one, you’ll likely recognise these colours within your group. Here’s how you can apply this theory to help everyone work more effectively together:

1. Identify the Colours on Your Team

Take a moment to think about the personalities in your workplace. Who brings the energy and creativity? Who is detail-focused? Recognising these traits can help you better understand the dynamics within your team and assign tasks more effectively.

Action: Hold a short team session to discuss how each person sees their own "colour" to build awareness and start conversation about how different styles and personalities manage tasks and situations. 

2. Encourage Self-Awareness

Encourage everyone to identify their primary and secondary colours and understand what that means for them. This isn't a labelling task, instead a way for individuals to understand how they work best.

Action: Use a short quiz or informal exercise to help your team discover their colour mix and encourage team members to share ways they can help each other thrive.

3. Leverage Each Colour’s Strengths

Once you understand the balance on your team, assign tasks that play to each personality type’s strengths. 

• Reds: decisive, results-focused — great for leadership or decision-making roles.
• Yellows: expressive and creative — perfect for brainstorming and motivating others.
• Greens: empathetic and supportive — strong in mentoring or client care.
• Blues: detail-driven and analytical — ideal for quality control, process, or planning.

By matching roles to personality traits, you’ll likely see an increase in productivity and satisfaction.

4. Promote Open Communication

Use this model as a tool to improve communication. Knowing that someone is a Red, for example, might help you understand their direct approach, while understanding a Blue’s need for detail can help avoid misunderstandings. When people understand each other’s work styles, they’re more likely to communicate openly and effectively.

Bringing It All Together

Every workplace is a unique mix of colours and that’s what makes it effective.

When leaders and teams embrace these differences, they create environments where people feel understood, valued, and empowered to perform at their best.

Applying colour theory isn’t just a team exercise. It’s a leadership tool for improving collaboration, engagement, and long-term results.