“Self-awareness is a superpower.”
When we understand how we express ourselves, identify our strengths, and recognize blind spots we may have never noticed, we gain valuable insights into questions like:
- How am I currently behaving at work?
- How do others perceive me?
- Am I presenting my best self to my colleagues and those around me?
Asking questions about aspects of ourselves we may have overlooked can lead to personal growth and better collaboration skills.
Self-awareness makes it easier to identify areas we need to improve. By understanding our personal style in decision-making, communication, and working, we can pinpoint opportunities for growth. For example, we might learn to develop greater empathy as leaders to connect more effectively with our teams or improve decisiveness to achieve goals more efficiently. Self-awareness is a crucial key to intentional self-development because no one wants to stay stagnant forever.
When workplaces foster growth through increased self-awareness, a stronger team culture naturally develops. Sustainable growth as an organization often starts with intentional effort and the ability to adapt to different situations. This involves using the right color energy or personality traits to suit different groups and occasions.
What Is Color Energy?
Insights Discovery is based on the work of Dr. Carl Jung and uses color as a metaphor to create a simple and accessible language. The model divides personalities into four color energies:
Fiery Red | Sunshine Yellow | Earth Green | Cool Blue
These four personality types are derived from three key aspects:
- How we respond to the outside world and recharge our energy (Introvert/Extrovert)
- How we make decisions (Thinking/Feeling – head vs. heart)
- How we perceive and interpret information (Intuition/Sensing – big-picture vs. details)
Here’s how the color energies align with these traits:
- Fiery Red (Extroversion + Thinking): Goal-oriented, forward-focused, action-driven, and quick decision-making.
- Sunshine Yellow (Extroversion + Feeling): People-focused, collaborative, idea-sharing, and sociable.
- Earth Green (Introversion + Feeling): Values-driven, supportive, empathetic, and relationship-focused.
- Cool Blue (Introversion + Thinking): Thoughtful, detail-oriented, analytical, and prefers quality over speed.
While everyone has a preference for certain energies, we all possess a mix of all four. Importantly, with self-awareness, we can adjust our energy to fit the situation, making us unique and adaptable.
Personal Reflection on Using Insights Discovery :
During a training session with several L&D professionals from global companies, I experienced a “popcorn moment” with my partner. We laughed as we noticed how differently we approach tasks. While my partner, driven by Sunshine Yellow, preferred to brainstorm aloud, I, more inclined toward Cool Blue, needed quiet reflection before speaking. Recognizing this difference helped us work together harmoniously, reducing potential friction.
Imagine if everyone in your workplace understood their own behaviors and had a shared language to explain their differences to others without causing misunderstandings. Such tools can significantly improve teamwork and productivity.
Why Insights Discovery Is Powerful in the Workplace:
Insights Discovery offers a non-judgmental way for teams to discuss preferences and behaviors. It encourages conversations about how people work and what adjustments they might make to better collaborate. By reflecting on their strengths and areas for development, individuals can create effective growth plans.
As Prakash Santhanam, Global L&D Consultant at Elanco, says:
“I’ve been using psychometric tools for over 10 years now with all the industry-leading providers, and the significant difference I find with Insights Discovery is that it gets closer to people’s hearts.”
Understanding our own behavior, especially how it affects others, is key to effective communication and collaboration. For instance:
- A Fiery Red personality thrives on immediate results but may clash with the patience of an Earth Green personality.
- A Sunshine Yellow personality enjoys brainstorming openly, which may seem chaotic to a Cool Blue, who values detailed planning.
By understanding these dynamics, we can work together with greater harmony and mutual respect. 🔴 🟡 🟢 🔵
Practical Tip for Building Self-Awareness
Every morning, choose one word that represents how you want to show up that day. Stay mindful of that word throughout your interactions with colleagues, family, and friends. That is it – the start of your awareness journey in 2025
