Remind Him, “We Simply Need to Take Bigger Risks.”
Erikson describes Blues as methodical people who can become stressed when pushed to decide or act without preparation.
THE IDEA
Remind Him, “We Simply Need to Take Bigger Risks.”
Right is right, and proper preparation is the be-all and end-all, the Alpha and Omega. It even says so in a book. So when a Blue can’t prepare himself in his (sometimes extremely cumbersome) way, it triggers stress. He’s the opposite of spontaneous, and you simply can’t force a Blue to respond to a situation before he’s had time to acquaint himself with the subject. He’ll have so many reservations he won’t be any use.
When to use it
Project planning: Assign Blues to tasks with clear scopes and deadlines so they can prepare thoroughly.
Meetings: Provide agendas and background materials in advance to reduce Blue anxiety.
Change management: When introducing new processes, give Blues time to study and ask questions before implementation.
Crisis response: If a Blue must act quickly, pair them with a spontaneous partner who can handle real-time adjustments.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Manager pushing for quick decision
A manager pressures a Blue employee to approve a new vendor immediately without providing the usual documentation. The employee becomes anxious, asks for more information, and delays the decision.
Last-minute presentation
A Blue team member is asked to deliver an impromptu presentation on a topic they have not researched. They struggle to answer questions and would have benefited from time to prepare.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How can you create a preparation-friendly environment for a Blue personality without sacrificing agility?
What signs indicate that a Blue is overwhelmed by forced spontaneity?
In what ways can a Blue's need for preparation be a strength, and when does it become a liability?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Surrounded By Idiots (Thomas Erikson)