Take Every Form of Authority Away
For individuals with a Red personality type, being excluded from decision-making is especially challenging because they believe their ideas are superior and that they should be in charge.
THE IDEA
Take Every Form of Authority Away
Not being involved in decision-making is really difficult for a Red. He always believes that he has better ideas and so he also believes that he should be the one in charge of the project.
When to use it
A project manager assigns roles but a Red team member feels sidelined; the manager uses this concept to anticipate friction and offer a consultative role.
In a leadership workshop, participants reflect on how their personality type (especially Reds) influences their reaction to decision-making structures.
When designing a new team workflow, consider how to incorporate input from Reds to leverage their drive while maintaining efficiency.
A Red founder struggles to delegate; understanding this mental model helps them recognize the pattern and delegate incrementally.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Red Manager Excluded
A Red-type manager is left out of strategic planning sessions. Despite her team’s competence, she feels the plans lack her insight and becomes frustrated, micromanaging later to regain control.
Red Team Member in Meetings
During a brainstorming meeting, a Red employee is not asked for input on key decisions. He interrupts multiple times to push his own ideas, convinced they are better than the group's direction.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Recall a time you were excluded from a decision you cared about. How did you react? Were your assumptions about your own ideas justified?
How might a Red personality's need for authority affect team dynamics? What steps can a leader take to involve them without ceding all control?
In what situations is it healthy to challenge authority? When does a Red's belief in their own ideas become a bias?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Surrounded By Idiots (Thomas Erikson)