When answering a colour personality test or more accurately a questionnaire (a test suggests that you can pass or fail, which you can’t when answering a survey), you are asked a number of short questions which by answering in a certain way, indicates personality traits; meaning that you are one of four styles or colours. (Everyone is one of the four). From the iMA questionnaire (www.ashleyboroda-ima.com) you can discover what style or colour you are; either High Blue, High Yellow, High Green or High Red.
If your answers indicate that you are non-assertive and relationship focused your result will show that you are an iMA High Blue. If you are assertive, logical and task focused the result will show that you are an iMA High Red. If your result says that you an iMA High Yellow it will be because your answers show that you are an assertive person who is also people and relationship focused and likes to work at a fast pace. If the answer says that you are an iMA High Green you are logical, task lead and non-assertive. And that is how it works. Simple, yet in no way simplistic.
Let’s focus now on those who have found out that they are an iMA High Blue. Having a Blue personality means that you are representative of 25% of the human population who also share the same outlook and are on the same wavelength as you are. You and other High Blues rub along really well together and because of the style of personality that you are and the way in which you naturally communicate, you are very likely to find yourself in a very warm, friendly and trusting interaction with your fellow High Blue. The chances are very high indeed that the interaction will be gentle and considerate.
High Blues are receptive and non- assertive people. Non-assertive people are only going to express their opinions if they have decided that it is a safe environment to do so. They like working at a slow and considered pace and like to take their time making decisions. Non-assertive people are fully focused on the here and now and being completely involved in the moment.
High Blues are also what iMA describes as Right Brain Thinking. Right brain thinking people are open, chatty, focused on people and relationships, do not think in a linear or logical way and thrive on collaboration, recognition and congratulations. Non-assertiveness/receptiveness and right brain thinking are the two defining factors which are the key ingredients to the personality make-up of an iMA High Blue.
How Do You Know When You’re Communicating with a High Blue?
How do you know when you are communicating with a High Blue? Firstly, High Blues are naturally comfortable with people so you will notice that they tend to look at you and often smile. They are not going to maintain constant eye contact until they are certain that you are wanting to engage with them. High Blues are feelings focused and prioritise relationships; they are amiable, warm, friendly, patient, empathetic, loyal, supportive, trustworthy, compassionate and open people who like to have harmonious interactions and build meaningful longer term friendships and relationships.
High Blues are excellent listeners and ask questions as opposed to making statements which in turn makes them good allies when helping others to solve problems. High Blues like to take their time forming opinions or providing a definitive answer to a question or request. They thrive in small groups, are easy to talk to and will always be welcoming and friendly when you talk to them, although they will not always initiate the conversation.
In common with the other three iMA colour styles, High Blues have an abundant number of unique strengths. All of these strengths are a patterned guideline to the sort of jobs and hobbies which help High Blue people to thrive. If they do thrive then everyone else has the opportunity to benefit.
High Blues are driven by relationships and have a unique ability to provide bucket loads of both empathy and sympathy. High Blues are great team players and thrive in a friendly and supportive environment. When a High Blue is happy in their work, they tend to remain in place, grow with the job and provide years of invaluable experience. Other strengths are: their ability to build significant and sustainable networks and connections. They are exceptional planners , persistent workers and are excellent with follow-through. They are completer-finishers who have significant interpersonal skills and are positive and creative.
Limitations of High Blues
High Blues, just like everyone else, have limitations. They are likely not to be able to make up their mind within a time frame needed by others, High Blues can be submissive, too passive, over dependent and hesitant. High Blues may well need a lot of reassurance that they are headed in the right direction and are doing the right thing at the right time.
Who High Blues Work Well With
Who High Blues work well with is important. Firstly they work extremely well with their fellow High Blues. Their “Blueness” will ensure that they are surrounded by people who are open, friendly and trustworthy working at a slow and considered pace. High Blues offer intricate people skills which none of the other three iMA colours provide as they are caring and considerate and like to take their time getting to know, like and trust people.
High Blues work well with High Yellows. Like High Blues, High Yellows are right brain thinking and are led by building relationships with people. They are both sets of divergent thinkers. This combination is very effective when dealing with people over a longer period of time. High Yellows are more likely to initiate a conversation and a relationship, whereas High Blues are better at maintaining a relationship. In addition, High Blues work well with High Greens. Both High Blues and High Greens are receptive and non-assertive, they like to work in the here and now, they are both completer-finishers who like to take their time perfecting their work.
The iMA colour that High Blues may clash with are High Reds. High Blues are not assertive like High Reds, in fact there is a huge gap in the level of assertiveness of each. High Blues are right brain thinkers whereas High Reds are left brain thinking, High Blues are not logical and work at a far slower pace than High Reds. High Blues can find High Reds overpowering and pushy, High Reds often do not appreciate the kindness and compassion of an iMA High Blue.