How These Four “Preference Styles” Can Make or Break Your Results

I was sitting by the pool with a couple of my clients when one of them made a funny comment to the other about packing her up (of course, so she could stay by the pool.) The conversation went on to include an exchange about how the bags were getting to the bellman and I noticed each of these two clients had vastly different ideas about what would work.

One client had called the bell desk, told them what she wanted to happen and was completely done with the task and was on to the next thing.

The other client was way more concerned about giving the proper directions, waiting to make sure the bellman actually arrived and understood the directions and would have the bags in the proper place.

Was one wrong and one right? Nope. They both have different preferences for how they like to get things done.

But here was the best part. This exchange was a perfect example of how they show up as leaders. And why one of them often times alienates her team and doesn’t get the results she wants.

In my 7 Figure CEO Protégé program I teach entrepreneurs a system I learned many years ago, called Insights™ Discovery. It’s a way of understanding our core preferences so that we better understand others – and in the process be able to have more productive work environments.

The way I use it with entrepreneurs is to teach them how they “process” information around them and how unconsciously, most of us hire, train, manage and communicate with others in a way that regularly alienates other people. I even see it with sales, marketing, speaking and training – if you don’t get that other people need to take in information differently than you…well…you will often kill your results quickly!

I’m going to give you a VERY brief overview of these four preferences, or energies here due to limited space (and attention span for some of you). Keep in mind I’m only scratching the surface as there is a lot of cool ways to use this system.

“Red” Energy

Our red energy friends tend to be very results-focused. Often experienced by others as aggressive, overbearing and dominant, they sort the world for how to get things done in the quickest way possible. Awesome for sales and getting things done quickly.

“Yellow” Energy

Yellow energy people are highly creative and visionary. Many of the other energies will experience a “yellow” as being flighty, unorganized or ungrounded. This energy type tends to be highly social and inspiring, which is a great trait for leaders.

“Green” Energy

Green energy preference will put people before everything else. They focus on helping, supporting, and making a difference in other people’s lives. The other energies may get easily frustrated with a green as they tend to move slowly, need a lot of affirmation and direction. Greens are very loyal though…definitely someone you want for the long term!

“Blue” Energy

Blue energy people focus on facts, data and methodology. Leading with a lot of “rational” thinking, others can experience them as cold, aloof or overly reserved. Blues are awesome for managing complex projects, finances and projects.

Once you become more masterful with the four energies you can start to see why someone might shut down on you when you talk to them. Or why some people irritate you when they don’t mean to. Or maybe why when giving directions on how you want something done, someone with a different style may get overly confused or not “get it.”

One of my 7 Figure CEO Protégé members realized that as a “red energy” who was surrounded by “green energy” team members, she kept burning them out and losing them. They just couldn’t keep up!

This week make a list of all the breakdowns you’ve been experiencing with your team and people in your life. Is it possible that some of these breakdowns may be occurring because your energy or preferences are different than theirs?

I’ll bring you more tips on how to use this system soon. For now, just start to notice the differences.