Red Personality Type: Blunt Honesty and Slog or Split
Erikson describes Reds as blunt communicators who state opinions quickly. His slog-or-split label describes sustained effort on tasks they find meaningful and disengagement from those they do not.
THE IDEA
“Tell Me What You Really Think—Yes, for Real.”
Reds have no problem being blunt. When asked a specific question, they often say exactly what they think, without any frills. They see no need to wrap things up in a bunch of empty phrases. When a thought pops into their heads, everyone knows it immediately. They have opinions on most things, and they trot their thoughts out quickly and efficiently.
A common remark is that Reds are very honest, because they dare to express their personal truths to people. They don’t really understand what the fuss is all about. They’ve only said things as they are.
If you need someone with extra energy, you may want to invite a Red into the team or project group. They fight tirelessly along when others have already given up—if they are determined to succeed, that is. A task that has become humdrum or meaningless could be totally ignored by a Red.
I call this phenomenon slog or split. If the task is important enough, a Red will go through fire and water to complete it. If he feels it has no purpose, into the trash it goes.
When to use it
In team meetings, Reds provide unfiltered opinions that cut through ambiguity and speed up decision-making.
When a project is stalled, a Red's determination can drive it forward if they see its importance, but they may abandon tasks they perceive as meaningless.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Blunt Feedback in a Team Meeting
A Red team member is asked for their opinion on a proposed strategy. They immediately point out flaws without softening the message, which some colleagues find harsh but others appreciate for its clarity and honesty.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How can you effectively communicate with a Red personality to leverage their directness without causing friction?
In what situations does the 'slog or split' tendency improve team outcomes, and when might it backfire?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Surrounded By Idiots (Thomas Erikson)