Tag Archives: Insights Deeper Discovery Workshops
August 7, 2019 Communication in 4 Colors (get to know Insights Discovery!)
Updated August, 2019
A Note From Margaret:
In the history of the UXL Blog (which has been active since 2011), this post is by far the most popular. That says a lot to me. For one, it means that people are interested in effective communication and developing a deeper understanding of their colleagues and co-workers. It also means that many people suspect that Insights® Discovery is a useful tool for digging in and approaching communication issues from a science-based, practical approach.
If your team is struggling with communication (whether among team members, between bosses and staff, or with clients), I can help. As an Insights® Discovery Licensed Practitioner, I offer workshops and training to individuals and teams of any size, in any industry. I invite you to contact me today for more information.
Now, on with the post…
Do you ever wonder why a certain co-worker is so quiet? Or why another co-worker always wants to work in teams? Or why another won’t make a decision until everyone’s voice has been heard?
Assessment tests, such as Insights® Discovery, can unearth the mysteries behind your co-workers’ communication tendencies. Insights® is a science-based personality test designed to help you gain a better understanding of your own and others’ behaviors, tendencies, and perspectives. As an Insights® Licensed Practitioner, I have introduced many teams to Insights® and have witnessed improved communication, better leadership, and greater team cohesion and empathy.
One of the things I like best about Insights® is its approachable model, broken down into four main color energies (blue, red, yellow, and green). The idea behind the model is that everyone has the capacity to exhibit and embrace all four distinct personality types, but we all tend to lead with or prefer a certain personality type. Here is a brief overview of each color/personality type. Which one do you immediately identify with?
RED: Those who lead with red energy tend to be assertive, bold, and to-the-point. They are natural leaders and love to take charge and make quick decisions.
YELLOW: Yellows are bright, sunshiney, and social. They love working in teams, brainstorming ideas, and connecting with new people.
GREEN: People with a strong green tendency are typically empathetic and inclusive. Above all, they care about the happiness of their team members and want to make sure all voices are heard.
BLUE: Blues are data-driven, analytical, and contemplative. They like to mull over an issue and consider all angles before making a decision.
Now that you know a little bit about each color energy, let’s hone in on communication. Each group of people–reds, yellows, blues, and greens–has a different communication preference. The image below outlines how best to approach those who lead with a certain color energy:
If you have a good hunch about someone’s leading color, take the time to stand in their shoes and consider how they might prefer to communicate. Should you be brief and bright with them (red)? Should you take the time to be social and ask about their family or weekend (yellow)? Should you ask about their emotional reaction toward a project (green)? Should you present them with a complete set of data and analysis (blue)?
This, of course, is just the tip of the Insights® Discovery iceberg. For more information on Insights®, or to find out how to acquire an assessment kit for your team, please contact me today.
MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS®DISCOVERY LICENSED PRACTITIONER, FOUNDER OF UXL, AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE TAG TEAM. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. YOU CAN VISIT HER WEBSITE AT WWW.YOUEXCELNOW.COM
Tags: benefits of Insights Discovery, business coach Margaret Smith, career advice, career coach Margaret Smith, communication and insights discovery, enhance team communication, improve communication, Insights Deeper Discovery Workshops, Insights Discovery for teams, Minnesota business coach
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- Posted under Communication, Insights Discovery, Teamwork, Thrive at Work
July 10, 2019 Use Insights Discovery to Create a Welcoming Workplace
In a past blog post, I addressed diversity and how it goes beyond physical characteristics and also involves diversity of thought, behavior, and perspective. Today, I’d like to discuss how your diverse workplace can be a welcoming one. First, let’s define what a welcoming workplace looks like.
People in a welcoming workplace…
…feel a sense of belonging, are treated fairly, and have equal opportunities
…feel like they can be themselves and allow others to be themselves
…are fully engaged and part of a team
…remain authentic
The result of a welcoming workplace? Innovation, creative ideas, and fresh ways of looking at things. These are all things any organization wants, but how to achieve them? How can people with widely differing outlooks on life work together harmoniously and accomplish great things?
According to the principles I’ve learned from Insights® Discovery (a tool for understanding and developing unique personalities), inclusion really starts from the top. Company leadership needs to be fully invested in the idea of fostering a welcoming workplace before the rest of the team can truly adopt it.
The organization should consider these questions:
- Does the leadership recognize the diversity of its team?
- Do they know how to adapt and connect with all the people on their team?
- Do they know what motivates certain people on their team? Do they know what derails them?
- Are there open lines of communication in the office?
- Are questions and concerns addressed or ignored?
- Does the leadership make an effort to hear from everyone at the table?
Company leadership can facilitate an open, welcoming environment, but it takes the rest of the organization to keep it up on a day-to-day basis. That takes awareness and reflection. We should be asking ourselves questions from time to time like: “How does the work environment feel?” “How comfortable is it for me? For my co-workers?” “Does the minority have a voice in the office?” “Are we encouraged to raise questions or concerns?”
It takes time to build a welcoming environment, but the results are worth it. Each person has the ability to add unique value to the organization, so it’s important to create an environment where that value can come through.
If you’d like to delve into creating a welcoming workplace in more depth, I encourage you to contact me so we can discuss your organization’s needs. Thanks for reading!
Margaret Smith is a career coach, author, Insights® Discovery (and Deeper Discovery) Licensed Practitioner, and founder of UXL. She hosts WORKSHOPS for people who need career or personal guidance.
NOW LIVE: Check out Margaret’s NEW online Leadership Course.
Tags: benefits of Insights Discovery, Insights Deeper Discovery, Insights Deeper Discovery Workshops, insights discovery diversity, Margaret Smith licensed Insights practitioner, Margaret Smith Twin Cities, welcoming workplace
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- Posted under Better Business, Insights Discovery, Organization
November 25, 2015 Looking for a Breakthrough? (all about Insights Deeper Discovery)
After last weeks’ successful Insights Deeper Discovery workshop, I am eager to bring this innovative and empowering program to anyone and everyone who is undergoing a transition or is feeling in need of guidance.
You may be familiar with Insights® Discovery. It’s a program based off the principles of renown psychiatrist Carl Jung that uses a four-color model to talk about our individual capabilities and challenges. This model can be used to capitalize on personal strengths, overcome challenges, and communicate better with those around you. As an Insights® Licensed Practitioner, I’ve personally seen some astonishing transformations (both individually and office-wide). Suddenly, people start opening up in ways they never have and allow themselves to flourish and grow.
This is why I’m excited to announce that Insights® Discovery now has a new, more in-depth model that builds off the basic principles of Insights®. Even if you’ve never been through the original program, this new model helps foster growth and development in your career, personal life, communication skills, and interactions with others.
What is Deeper Discovery?
Deeper Discovery is a continuation of the Insights® Discovery journey. Using Archetypes of Discovery as a lens (more about that on the Insights® website), individuals and teams embark upon a journey of improved self-understanding. Through use of the new Deeper Discovery wheel, participants discover their potential in engaging and memorable ways and apply their learning to the workplace and life.
Unlock Individual & Team Potential
Build on the simple and accessible Insights® Discovery model.
Explore individual, team, and leadership effectiveness.
Enhance a long-term program of development.
Develop a profound level of self-understanding to transform your life and your work.
Understand what drives and motivates others. Become a more authentic and inspiring leader.
Sound Like Something You’d Like To Explore?
Great! I’ve partnered with Dr. Jean Davidson to put on several Deeper Discovery workshops. You can find more information on our Intentional Discovery Website, or you can contact me directly with questions.
Let’s discover your best you!
MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY LICENSED PRACTITIONER, FOUNDER OF UXL, AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE TAG TEAM. YOU CAN VISIT HER WEBSITE AT WWW.YOUEXCELNOW.COM
Tags: Deeper discovery workshop, Dr. Jean Davidson, Insights Deeper Discovery, Insights Deeper Discovery Workshops, Insights Licensed Practitioners, Intentional Discovery, Margaret Smith, Minneapolis Insights Practitioners, Personal and business breakthroughs
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