What’s Your Primary Color?

I read a recent post that explained how to take your career from good to great by Rick Smith, author of a book I’m reading called The Leap! This book was originally shared with me a few months ago by Jodee Bock who got the book in early form, and said “Phil, you have to read this book!”

So what did I do?

I forgot about the book. Until I got a copy in the mail. :)

And then I remembered the conversation with Jodee from a few months back…and I decided to check out the author’s site before I dove in.

Rick’s site offers a very interesting self-evaluation called What’s Your Primary Color? that asked me 27 different questions to get to the heart of who I am. It took me about 7 minutes, and after waiting for 17 seconds with bated breath, I got my answer:

Ocean Blue – Cheer Captain

You are at your best when helping others achieve their goal. While you enjoy participating in the team effort, you are happiest when engaged in planning and inspiring the team. Others will see you as outgoing and enthusiastic. Not only are you a good listener but you are likely to have excellent communication skills. Your strong need for social affiliation leads you to situations that are people oriented where you can both give and receive affirmation and support.

People in this color area are generally comfortable in leadership roles and business settings that are participative in nature. Often, people in this color family are described as visionaries who can see the future possibilities clearly and articulate them with enthusiasm and clarity. You are very likely to be an excellent motivator, relying on verbal skills to persuade others to your point of view and sell them on ideas and actions.

You may be drawn to entrepreneurial pursuits or work settings that reward this type of behavior and enthusiasm. While you can be good with details, you are more comfortable with conceptual issues that can be manifested in tangible products or measureable outcomes. Clearly, you will need to be in a position that will take advantage of your interpersonal skills and salesmanship qualities.

It’s a mix of 7% curiosity, 0% execution, and 49% leadership.

Then I took the career alignment quiz:

Violet:

Companies, jobs, environments and industries that value and produce creative solutions tend to cluster in this area of the color spectrum. Clearly innovation and creativity exist throughout the universe of possible careers, but, if creativity and innovation are what sparks your passion, then this is a good place to start.

Positions and organizations in this part of the color chart are also appreciative of those who can bring creative strategic thinking to bear on problems. People who are adept at seeing the "Big Picture" and quick to bring structure to a problem, provide inspirational strategic leadership combined with curiosity and inventiveness in solving organizational problems will find a good fit with jobs and organizations that fit this color category.

Interestingly, it’s also a mix of 7% curiosity, 0% execution, and 49% leadership, though I’m not sure if I answered this set of questions the way things really are…or the way I want them to be.

I’d say these are pretty on the mark for me…at least the who I am part. I’m still trying to figure out the “what I do?” piece :)

While I will definitely be reviewing this book when I’m done with it, I’d encourage you right now to take the What’s Your Primary Color or learn how to take your career from good to great.

Questions for you:

Have you taken any other self-assessments that have been helpful?

Have you taken any that haven’t been helpful?

Do you even take self-assessments?

Photo credit: Babette Blanket – Color Palette by chattingjason