Stress Factors for Blues
Erikson identifies disrupted plans or calculations as a stress trigger for people he classifies as Blues.
THE IDEA
Stress Factors for Blues
If you, for any reason, would like to get a Blue to feel stress, just upset every one of his calculations.
Erikson presents this as a stress trigger in his color-based personality framework. The excerpt does not establish a psychological mechanism or explain how consistently people respond this way.
When to use it
When managing a team of Blues, ensure that all data provided to them is double-checked for accuracy to avoid unnecessary stress.
If you are a Blue, practice building flexibility into your plans so that disruptive changes feel less like a complete invalidation.
In a collaborative setting, warn a Blue team member in advance if there is uncertainty in data, so they can mentally prepare for potential recalculation.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Project Manager's Miscalculation
A project manager builds a detailed timeline from team estimates, then discovers that one estimate used outdated data. Revising the schedule is stressful because other plans depend on it.
Budget Analyst's Error
A budget analyst calculates exact figures for a quarterly report. After discovering a spreadsheet error, all numbers must be recalculated. The analyst experiences high stress, feeling that the foundation of his work has been undermined.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Can you identify a situation where your own 'calculations' (plans, expectations, or logical assumptions) were upset and caused you stress?
What coping strategies might help a Blue personality when faced with unexpected data changes?
How could understanding this stress factor improve your interactions with analytical colleagues or team members?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Surrounded By Idiots (Thomas Erikson)