I’m opening a new set of topics this week – the Color Thinking Leadership Series.

Color Thinking is a fantastic tool for becoming an authentic leader – for all of the same reasons that Color Thinking works for personal development. I invite you to collect the colors that you like and create your own leader’s color palette.

Let’s start with blue, often thought to be the first color. It’s your leadership blueprint. Blue attributes are knowing your voice, your values and your vision.

When aligned with the light infused aspects of blue – the aligned leader attributes – you show up knowing what you stand for and leading authentically from that place. You communicate effectively, sharing your vision, sense of purpose and direction, and you feel can listen and be heard. You have a strong sense of where you’re going, and you feel that your team supports you and follows you willingly.

When influenced more by the shadow aspects of blue  – the shadow leader attributes – you show up as being inauthentic, having conflicting values, not clearly able to convey the meaning, purpose or direction, not able to create a shared sense of vision, jumbled or inconsistent communications, and as switching directions frequently. It feels like you are misunderstood or don’t have a voice at the table, you don’t have a clear vision for the future, and you are out there on your own.

Color Thinking can help us move from shadow leader to aligned leader. We can’t be clear unless we are clear. Blue questions help to clarify what you stand for – your voice, your values and your vision.

Blue questions dive deep: what kind of leader do you want to be? What does success look like to you? What are you willing to sacrifice to achieve it? What are you not willing to sacrifice? What are the non-negotiables? How do treat people, talk to people? Is that how you want to treat people? What are your most important values? If you could build a culture for your team from scratch, what would it look like? What do you let slide that you wish you didn’t? These are just some examples. You’ll know you’ve hit your truth when you tear up a little, because they ring a profound “yes” inside you.

When you have your clarity, we use blue as visual stimuli. This is truly a life hack. Over 50% of the brain is devoted to process visual information, and you can use that power to reinforce the changes you want to make – whether they are mindset, beliefs, behaviors, skills or habits – so that you authentically embody them as a leader.

As you become more firm in your own blueprint, you may feel some tension. Maybe you realize that there are conflicts in your current situation – values, culture or direction. You will need to assess whether you want make changes in yourself or influence others to align – or perhaps make a tough decision or two. That’s what leaders do.

In the meantime, remember these things: You are loved. We are all loved. Let’s all be kind. And in all things – progress, not perfection!

Love and light,

Maggie

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If you’re interested in using Color Thinking for your own leadership development program, let’s talk. Email: Maggie@maggiehuffman.com