Show your true colors: Tracey Glenn explains how personality testing applies to business

There's more to personality tests than choosing "mostly As" to find out what kind of flirt you are. True Colors, a personality testing program started more than 35 years ago, is one option designed specifically for use in the workplace. The program helps individuals identify with one of four personality colors -- gold, orange, blue or green -- and apply that information to work better with people.

"It helps you understand your co-workers and why they do what they do -- but first you have to understand yourself," explains Tracey Glenn of Cape Girardeau, who's certified to lead True Colors training. Glenn, who also works as vice president -- organization and leadership at the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, became interested in True Colors after participating in it herself at Leadership Cape and Leadership Missouri programs.

"I found that it's an incredible tool and one that I use in my home every day," she says. "I have several different personality types in my own home. I became certified so I could teach others to use it like I have."

The training, which lasts about three hours, starts with an overview of the information, after which participants decide what color they most identify with. Glenn then leads group exercises and asks questions to help participants affirm -- or change -- the color they've picked for themselves.

Glenn likes True Colors because it's easy to remember what personality you are -- there are only four colors and the characteristics of each are easy to differentiate. And unlike with other personality assessments where users fill out questions and are told what type they are, True Colors asks users to figure out the outcome for themselves.

"True Colors presents the information about the types and you answer questions about yourself, but really, you decide what best suits you," says Glenn. "Nobody is 100 percent one color. We all have all four within us."

Glenn leads True Colors training for groups of 20 or more, whether all from the same business or representing smaller businesses pooled together.

"There are four personality types, and I've found it works best when you have all four types in the room and represented," she says. "There's no guarantee that you'll have all four represented, but there's a pretty good chance."

So how do the results actually apply to the workplace? Glenn says knowing your personality type helps you understand why you do what you do, and to make modifications for a better workflow and working environment. Managers also apply personality types when deciding how to assign tasks for better results.

"It can help if you have employees that are having difficulty getting along and working together to accomplish a mission," Glenn adds. "A big part of True Colors is recognizing your best skill set and knowing what you're good at not-so good at."

Here's an example: Say you enjoy working under pressure, so you put assignments off until the last minute because you do your best work when the deadline is looming. If your boss is a planner who likes to know that things are done ahead of time, issues are likely to arise when he or she pressures you to get things done more quickly. Knowing that you and your boss have different personality types, the two of you can work together for better results -- maybe if you make some accommodations, your boss can give a little leeway.

"The True Colors program is about discovering our primary color and learning the innate characteristics we have as individuals," says Glenn. "We learn how those characteristics influence the choices we make in life. We realize how those choices affect others -- positively and negatively. True Colors is most effective when participants learn to use the strengths of each of their four colors to create harmonious relationships at work and at play."

For more information or to sign up for True Colors training, visit www.glennviewstrategies.com or www.true-colors.com.

Color code

These words may be associated with each of the four personality types:

Blue:

Soothing personality

Content and tranquil

Emotionally intense

Sensitive to others

"True blue"

Helpers

Go "the extra mile"

Gold:

Stability

Strength

Responsible

On time

Organized

Dependable

Efficient

Thorough

"Good as gold"

Green:

Logic

Calm

Composed

Mind over emotion

Problem-solvers

Concerned with world's challenges

Orange:

Action

Motivation

Excitement

Quick decision-maker

"Seize the moment"

Energetic

Playful

Source: www.true-colors.com