The 4 color personality test, also known as the True Colors personality test, is a simple yet powerful framework for understanding yourself and others. Developed in 1978 by Don Lowry, it uses four colors – blue, green, orange and gold – to represent four basic personality types that each have distinct motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. Knowing your color and the colors of those around you can help improve workplace relationships, team dynamics, leadership skills, and more.
In the professional context, the 4 colors represent:
Blue – Analytical, detail-oriented, logical thinkers who are factual, cautious and orderly. They focus on accuracy, data and proof.
Green – Caring, empathetic people who value harmony, service, and helping others. They focus on feelings, relationships and quality of life.
Orange – Ambitious, competitive and results-oriented go-getters who are optimistic, risk-taking and impulsive. They focus on the bottom line, action and winning.
Gold – Charismatic, inspiring leaders who thrive on encouraging others, seeing the big picture and driving change. They focus on significance, vision and purpose.
Understanding these profiles can provide powerful insights into how you and your colleagues communicate, collaborate, handle conflict and stress, lead teams, make decisions, and more. Applying the 4 colors allows you to decode motivations, avoid misunderstandings, and constructively work with all personality types.
History of the 4 Colors Personality Test
The 4 colors personality framework was created in the 1970s by Don Lowry, an educator who was seeking ways to improve student-teacher interactions and teamwork. He identified 4 core temperaments after years of research into personality traits and motivations.
Lowry was influenced by pioneers in personality psychology like Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types and Isabel Briggs Myers’ Type theory which led to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
However, Lowry found existing models like MBTI too complex for effective practical application. He believed he could simplify personality differences into four color codes while retaining depth, nuance and scientific validity.
So he conducted extensive surveys to find the four core temperaments that were most impactful. The result was the True Colors system featuring the four colors of Blue, Green, Orange and Gold to represent the four major personality types.
True Colors was then popularized through training programs for teachers and businesses. It gained further momentum when Lowry partnered with consultant Ken Voges to refine the model specifically for the business world in the 1990s. True Colors is now widely used for leadership, team building, coaching, and diversity initiatives in companies and organizations globally.
Overview of the 4 Colors
Here is a brief overview of the core traits associated with each of the 4 personality color codes:
Blue Color
Key Traits: Analytical, detail-oriented, precise, formal, perfectionist
Motivated By: Quality and accuracy
Fears: Criticism, slipshod methods
Would Be Described As: Careful, planful, methodical
Frustrated By: Disorder, lack of standards, oversights
Response To Pressure: Withdraws, gets bogged down
Communication Style: Technical, precise, avoident of exaggeration
Leadership Style: Logical, risk-averse, data-driven
Green Color
Key Traits: Caring, people-focused, relationships, collaboration
Motivated By: Belonging, cooperation, making a difference
Fears: Rejection, not being valued
Would Be Described As: Empathetic, patient, communicative
Frustrated By: Insensitivity, impatience, isolation
Response To Pressure: Becomes fearful, overwhelmed
Communication Style: Friendly, personal, emotive
Leadership Style: Democratic, inclusive, lots of teamwork
Orange Color
Key Traits: Competitive, action-oriented, impulsive, optimism
Motivated By: Challenge, power, freedom
Fears: Loss of control, being taken advantage of
Would Be Described As: Bold, risk-taking, spontaneous
Frustrated By: Routine, indecision, slow pace
Response To Pressure: Becomes aggressive and defiant
Communication Style: Direct, impactful, forceful
Leadership Style: Driven, sets high expectations
Gold Color
Key Traits: Inspiring, visionary, innovative, strategic
Motivated By: Meaning, self-actualization, influence
Fears: Irrelevance, powerlessness, conformity
Would Be Described As: Imaginative, purposeful, independent
Frustrated By: Limitations, lack of input, indifference
Response To Pressure: Becomes overly expressive and forceful
Communication Style: Insightful, philosophical, persuasive
Leadership Style: Visionary, rallies people to a cause
This overview provides a basic sense of the core motivations and tendencies associated with each color type. But within each color there is nuance and gradations rather than black and white categories. Most people will have a primary and secondary color that combines strengths from both profiles. The True Colors assessment aims to capture your color spectrum based on how you respond to word associations and scenarios that reveal your temperament.
Applications in the Workplace
The 4 color personality model offers an elegantly simple framework for understanding essential differences between people that are extremely relevant in work settings. Ways color insights can be applied for greater workplace success include:
Leadership
– Leverage your color strengths and overcome blindspots
– Adapt your leadership style to the color needs of team members
– Improve team dynamics by appreciating color diversity
Teamwork & Collaboration
– Understand teammates’ motivations and work style preferences
– Identify potential strengths and growth areas of work teams
– Tailor your communication and collaboration approaches
Project Management
– Ensure your project team has balanced color strengths
– Assign tasks and responsibilities based on colors
– Identify potential team and task alignment issues early
Conflict Resolution
– Pinpoint root causes of friction stemming from color differences
– Develop conflict strategies that appeal to the various color profiles
– Reframe issues to highlight each color’s contributions
Change Management
– Align change plans with motivations of different colors
– Get buy-in and reduce resistance by appealing to each color
– Shape communications and processes to color preferences
Coaching & Mentorship
– Provide personalized coaching/mentorship that fits someone’s color
– Motivate in ways that resonates with their color orientation
– Overcome blindspots and develop less dominant colors
Diversity & Inclusion
– Build appreciation for the strengths of different color types
– Create an inclusive culture that allows all colors to thrive
– Ensure initiatives align with needs of different personalities
The four color framework empowers you to decode the psyches of your colleagues and yourself. With deeper mutual understanding comes the power to enhance how you interact with all personality types.
How to Take the Test
While you can learn about the 4 personality colors conceptually, to truly gain the benefits you need to take a validated True Colors assessment to determine your color mix.
The standard process is to take an online quiz that presents you with a series of word choices, statements, or scenarios and asks you to select options that best-fit your tendencies.
There are free informal True Colors quizzes online that give you a general idea of your possible colors. But for reliable results that can be applied professionally, you should take an official True Colors assessment that has been scientifically validated.
The most reputable and accurate instrument is the True Colors Extended EQ assessment offered through The Myers-Briggs Company. It takes about 30 minutes to complete online through a portal they provide.
The Extended EQ report gives you not only your color mix but also evaluates your emotional intelligence competencies within the True Colors framework. This allows you to leverage your color strengths while developing any gaps indicated by your EQ results.
Workplaces or organizations that want to implement True Colors widely can contact certified providers who are authorized to administer bulk assessments for groups or teams, with additional workshops and training resources included.
While taking the test, be as candid as possible when answering the word associations, rankings, and scenarios. This ensures your color profile reflects your natural temperament rather than who you aspire to be.
The goal is to deeply understand your hardwired tendencies so you can best apply that self-knowledge in how you communicate, lead teams, resolve conflicts, and collaborate with all personality colors.
Breakdown by Color
Now that you have a general sense of the four colors, here is a more detailed breakdown of the characteristics, strengths and challenges of each color type:
Blue Color
Key Strengths:
– Analytical skills
– Technical and quantitative excellence
– Problem solving
– Strategic thinking
– Quality control
– Risk management
Preferred Work Style:
– Data-driven decisions
– Logic-based arguments
– Exact details
– Deep analysis
– Highly organized
– By-the-book processes
Leadership Style:
– Lead through expertise
– Evidence-based decisions
– Structure oriented
– Objective evaluators
– Calm under pressure
– Methodical pace
Potential Weaknesses When Overextended:
– Overly critical
– Prone to analysis paralysis
– Minimize people factors
– Slow-moving
– Obsess over data
– Inflexible to change
Under Pressure May Become:
– Overwhelmed
– Inflexible
– Withdrawn
– Obsessive
Fears:
– Being wrong
– Strong displays of emotion
– Unwise decisions
– Shoddy methods
Needs To Be Effective:
– Privacy to concentrate
– Time to think analytically
– Objective reasoning
– High-quality work
– Accuracy
Green Color
Key Strengths:
– Caring about people
– Listening skills
– Teamwork & collaboration
– Patient counselor
– Inspiring others
– Loyal
Preferred Work Style:
– Harmonious environments
– Shared decisions
– Appreciating colleagues
– Adapting to change
– Warm encouragements
– Stable routines
Leadership Style:
– Democratic approach
– Lead through relationships
– Inclusive teams
– Participative goals
– Affirming style
– Calm presence
Potential Weaknesses When Overextended:
– Resistant to change
– Avoid confrontation
– Over-accommodating
– Inconsistent standards
– Sacrifice efficiency for harmony
Under Pressure May Become:
– Submissive
– Indecisive
– Overwhelmed
– Stubborn
Fears:
– Rejection
– Not being valued
– Aggression
– Being forced into change
Needs To Be Effective:
– Appreciation
– Cooperation
– Kindness
– Teamwork
– Stability
– Trust
Orange Color
Key Strengths:
– Charm
– Persuasion
– Creativity
– Vision
– Risk-taking
– Energetic
Preferred Work Style:
– Freedom to act
– New exciting projects
– Competitive environments
– Spontaneity
– Flexible adaptable
Leadership Style:
– Lead through inspiration
– Big picture focused
– enthusiastic communication
– Empower through trust
– Reward innovation
– Boldness
Potential Weaknesses When Overextended:
– Rule breaking
– Impatient
– Defiant
– Manipulative
– Poor planners
Under Pressure May Become:
– Dictatorial
– Aggressive
– Restless
-Verbally abusive
Fears:
– Loss of power
– Rules and controls
– Being unpopular
– Routine/boredom
Needs To Be Effective:
– Freedom of expression
– Competitive activities
– Opportunities to lead
– Change & novelty
– Flexible structure
Gold Color
Key Strengths:
– Charisma
– Futuristic outlook
– Strategic focus
– Visionary
– Innovative ideas
– Principled
Preferred Work Style:
– Focus on vision
– Global thinking
– Design the system
– Creative solutions
– Values-driven
– Lead initiatives
Leadership Style:
– Lead through inspiration
– Strategic focus
– Empower through vision
– Energize people
– Challenge assumptions
– Drive innovation
Potential Weaknesses When Overextended:
– Impractical
– Unrealistic expectations
– Impatient
– Unfocused
– Radical change
Under Pressure May Become:
– Dictatorial
– Aggressive
– Arrogant
– Rash decisions
Fears:
– Conformity
– Loss of influence
– Lack of achievement
Needs To Be Effective:
– Prestige
– Freedom of expression
– Make a unique impact
– Focus on purpose
– Creative solutions
This breakdown allows you to get a fuller picture of the strengths, motivations, fears, and needs of each color type. Keep in mind that most people will exhibit a blend of two colors rather than a pure singular type. Also, your colors may vary by situation – for example, displaying more Blue behaviors at work and more Orange socially.
Team Dynamics Through the Lens of 4 Colors
One of the biggest benefits of the 4 color framework is understanding team dynamics. Colors help explain why teammates may butt heads or align well. Here is an overview of how color combinations can impact teams:
Greens + Blues
Potential Alignment:
– Value preparation and quality
– Dislike aggressive conflict
Potential Misalignment:
– Blues prefer logic; Greens prefer collaboration
– Greens avoid change; Blues move cautiously
Potential Benefits:
– Blues bring objective analysis
– Greens foster team cohesion
Oranges + Golds
Potential Alignment:
– Bold vision and innovation
– Results driven
Potential Misalignment:
– Oranges act now; Golds dream big ideas
– Oranges avoid rules; Golds can be dogmatic
Potential Benefits:
– Oranges drive action
– Golds provide strategic direction
Greens + Golds
Potential Alignment:
– People focused
– Idealistic
Potential Misalignment:
– Greens seek harmony; Golds disrupt
– Greens are steady; Golds are dramatic
Potential Benefits:
– Greens connect people
– Golds inspire change
Blues + Oranges
Potential Alignment:
– Results driven
– Logic and facts
Potential Misalignment:
– Blues play safe; Oranges take risks
– Blues do it right; Oranges do it now
Potential Benefits:
– Blues ensure quality
– Oranges drive action
You can do this analysis for any color combinations that exist on a team. This allows you to leverage the strengths and minimize the potential disconnects between people.
Improving Leadership With Color Insights
True Colors is an especially powerful framework for leaders seeking to improve their effectiveness. Key applications include:
Adjusting Your Leadership Style
Once you know the colors of your team, you can modulate your leadership approach:
– Oranges want freedom to act
– Golds want to be inspired by vision
– Greens want warmth and collaboration
– Blues want expertise and logic
Motivating & Disciplining
You can motivate direct reports in ways that resonate with their color:
– Reward Oranges with new opportunities
– Praise Golds for ideas and creativity
– Recognize Greens for teamwork
– Compliment Blues for accuracy
And discipline most effectively by:
– Giving Oranges clear consequences
– Showing Golds how behavior undermines vision
– Explaining to Greens how behavior hurts team
– Presenting Blues with logical rationale
Improving Team Dynamics
You can create color balanced teams not dominated by one color. And facilitate better understanding between colors by:
– Ensuring each color feels valued for strengths
– Explaining misunderstandings due to color gaps
– Highlighting what each color adds
Developing Your Blind Spots
We overuse strengths of our primary color and underdevelop weaker colors. You can compensate by:
– Blues can improve teamwork, empathy
– Greens can become more assertive, decisive
– Oranges can think long-term, manage risk
– Golds can consider logistics, details
Managing Stress
Colors react to pressure differently. You can provide targeted support:
– Or
