In today’s workplace, it’s common to find yourself leading a team with a mix of different colored brain types. While certain departments or job roles may favor specific brain types, such as a structured and detail-oriented Red Brain in finance, the reality is that your team might include a variety of brains—each bringing their unique strengths and challenges to the table.
For those unfamiliar with colored brain types, here’s a quick refresher:
- Green Brain: Action-based and big-picture thinkers, who excel at initiating tasks and driving momentum.
- Red Brain: Structured and organized, these individuals are great at planning and ensuring processes are followed.
- Purple Brain: Process-oriented and detail-focused, they thrive on accuracy and following established procedures.
- Blue Brain: Intuitive and creative, they often think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions.
Now, imagine you’re leading a finance team, where the environment naturally aligns with the Red Brain’s strengths. However, your team includes a mix of Green, Blue, and Purple brains. How can you, as a leader, ensure that everyone on your team contributes effectively while maintaining a harmonious and productive work environment? Here are three strategies to help you manage this diverse team successfully.
1. Acknowledge Diversity:
The first step is to recognize and appreciate the diversity within your team. Each brain type brings a unique perspective and set of skills to the table, which can be incredibly valuable when leveraged correctly.
For example, your Green Brain team members might be the ones pushing forward with action, ensuring that projects don’t get bogged down in endless planning. Meanwhile, your Blue Brain members could offer creative solutions that others might not have considered.
By acknowledging and celebrating these differences, you create an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued. Regularly highlight these unique contributions in team meetings or through informal recognition, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual respect among your team.
2. Nurture Growth:
While it’s important to play to your team’s strengths, it’s equally vital to give them the space to develop skills that may not come naturally to them but are essential in their current environment.
For instance, your Green Brain employees, who are action-oriented, might struggle with the structured and process-driven nature of finance. As a leader, you can nurture their growth by gradually introducing them to more structured tasks, offering support and mentorship as they adapt.
Similarly, for your Blue Brain team members, who thrive on intuition and creativity, provide opportunities for them to apply these skills within the framework of the finance department. This could involve problem-solving tasks that require innovative thinking or brainstorming sessions to improve existing processes.
By nurturing these skills, you not only help your team members grow but also create a more versatile and adaptive team.
3. Provide Tailored Feedback:
Understanding the colored brain types of your team members can also help you tailor your feedback and communication style to be more effective.
For example, when providing feedback to a Green Brain, focus on clear, actionable steps rather than overwhelming them with too much detail. On the other hand, when working with Purple Brains, who value process and detail, ensure your feedback is structured and specific.
By tailoring your communication, you can help each team member feel understood and supported, making it easier for them to improve and contribute to the team’s success.
Conclusion:
Leading a team with diverse colored brains may seem challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to harness a wide range of strengths and perspectives. The key to successful leadership is not about the Colored Brain of the leader. It is about their ability to maximize the natural talents (ie. genetic Colored Brain) of the team members and to also nurture what is required to do by the task at hand.
By acknowledging diversity, nurturing growth, and providing tailored feedback, you can create a work environment that is not only efficient but also harmonious and inclusive.
Any brain color can be a great leader provided they know how to maximize the power of other colors.
If you or your team members haven’t yet taken the colored brain assessment, we’re here to help. Reach out to us, and one of our consultants will be happy to assist you in taking the assessment and understanding the results to better manage and support your team.