Are you blue, gold, green, or orange?

Personality assessments have long been used by organizations to understand human behaviors and interactions but, in some cases, the results can be difficult to decipher. This can cause the results of the evaluations to be easily forgotten or ignored. Real Colors aims to change the way personality assessments are used by distilling temperament theories into four insightful, accessible categories of personality types.

These types are easy to remember and therefore easy to use as communication tools that promote empathy and understanding among a diverse group of colleagues. Human Resources believes it’s the way to help departments and teams across campus.

What is Real Colors?

The science behind Real Colors is based on the work of psychologist David Keirsey’s temperament theory which identifies four models of personality types and 16 subtypes. Real Colors adapts Keirsey’s research to keep temperament theory user-friendly so that it can be used as a tool in everyday interactions. Research studies prove that Real Colors results line up with other, more complicated models.

The four types are described as:

• Orange: immediate, generous, witty, spontaneous, optimistic, eager, and adaptable
• Green: complex, curious, independent, logical, and analytical
• Blue: sincere, insightful, caring, accepting, patient, giving, and true
• Gold: practical, provider, parental, stable, punctual, positive, and reliable

Allison Hetzel, director of sales and marketing of Real Colors, called the company a “well-kept secret” of high functioning organizations. Hetzel believes the reason Real Colors spans across so many industries is that “understanding ourselves and others is key to being a thoughtful, empathetic human being in a professional and personal environment. These attributes are what help groups and individuals reach their potential.”

How to sign up for a Real Colors Foundation Workshop

University employees now have access to Real Colors through six certified facilitators in Human Resources. Anyone interested in participating in the workshop should keep a few things in mind:

•  The three-hour-long workshop needs to be scheduled at least three weeks in advance through the intake form found on the UNLV Real Colors webpage

•  Departments pay $14.99 per person for the cost of materials for an in-person session and $18.99 for a virtual meeting.

• There is no additional charge for the Real Colors facilitator.

•  Facilitators are not responsible for setting up the room or providing catering for the event.

• Departments are responsible for reserving a space that seats all participants comfortably and has access to audio-visual equipment for in-person sessions.

•  A minimum of 10 participants are needed to have a session. If your department doesn’t have 10 people then you may have to wait for another group to sign up for a workshop and attend with them.

What to expect

Participants can expect to start with a self-assessment and quiz followed by lively activities promoting discussion about how the colors interact with one another and how to promote empathy and understanding in those interactions. By the end of the workshop, they will have communication tools that are easy to recall and use.

UNLV Business Affairs and Human Resources embraced the theories behind this workshop by having every employee in the divisions attend a foundations session. Ericka Smith, vice president and chief people officer, immediately saw the application of Real Colors. “I see individuals on teams leveraging each other's strengths for positive results. We all know each other's colors and use that knowledge to build cooperation even two years after the workshop.” Smith explained that there are no bad colors: “every personality is needed for an organization to be successful.”

Anyone interested in scheduling a workshop should visit the Real Colors webpage to get more information on how to get started.