Voice of a Green
Greens have a naturally soft, warm voice that is not forceful, even in large settings. They speak as if to a small group, making their communication feel intimate but sometimes hard to hear.
THE IDEA
A Green’s voice will never be strong; it’s not likely that he will drown out the group. You may need to make a little more effort to hear him. Even when Greens speak in front of a larger group (they may do this, if they don’t have any choice), they’ll speak as if there were only three of you sitting around the table. Sometimes it may appear that Greens don’t see the other hundred people in the room. The volume is generally low, and it can be difficult to hear what they say. But their voice will always be soft and radiate warmth. The pace will be slower and the variation not at all like when a Yellow speaks.
When to use it
When facilitating a meeting, actively invite a Green colleague to share their thoughts and give them time to articulate.
When giving feedback to a Green, use a gentle tone and focus on positive reinforcement to maintain their comfort.
If you are a Green in a large audience, practice techniques to project your voice without losing its natural warmth.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Green Presenting to a Large Team
A Green manager presenting quarterly results to a hundred employees might speak in a low, calm tone, avoiding dramatic gestures and pausing often. They may focus on one or two faces in the front row, giving the impression of a one-on-one conversation.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How can you create a supportive environment that encourages a Green to speak up clearly?
What adjustments might you need to make to your own listening when interacting with a Green's soft voice?
In what situations might a Green's slower pace be an advantage in communication?
Often confused with
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Surrounded By Idiots (Thomas Erikson)