As I reflected, it has been amazing to think of how the colors work can dramatically change an organization. With some brief work and understanding, the colors work opens an entirely new perspective and process of thinking. As I reflect on our past year, our work with colors has truly permeated the ROCORI system quickly and effectively.
The ROCORI School District was introduced to the “colors” training as an effort to assist our system in recovery from tragedy. Our school district was deeply shaken by one tragic event and the restoration process has been very gradual. The colors work has given our system and our people an additional tool to facilitate open, direct, and appropriate discussion in the healing process.
The benefits of the color work are many. First, the colors allow an individual to quickly see and recognize him or herself. Personal understanding is necessary for collaborative efforts. The color perspective also allows an individual to better understand how others see, interpret, and respond to issues or events. This understanding has changed the way in which our staff responds to each other and has opened opportunities for new or improved communication efforts. As an organization, the color work allows us better opportunity to assemble a stronger, more effective group as we work on collaborative issues.
The ROCORI School District has been working to make color perspective a part of our operational procedures. We have developed some communications forms based on the needs of each color personality. The forms allow us to examine issues from a more global, objective, and complete perspective.
We have been working to identify the strengths the different colors bring to the organization and to better draw upon those strengths. Task force, committee, and daily work are filtered through the color perspective to ensure a more complete picture of the issues we must address.
The colors work in our system has changed the way people interact. Individuals begin to recognize and acknowledge the different approaches, needs, and understandings of their colleagues. Individuals begin to talk about their activities based on the color perspective. Implementation of the color personality has broadened our view of the importance of relationships and caused us to examine the various approaches we take to the tasks we must complete.
We have been very pleased with the implementation of color personality in the ROCORI School District. The opportunities for better understanding of each other and improved interaction between people have been very clear and very positive. Although our initiation to the colors training came as a result of tragedy, the impact the training offers is valuable for any organization.
Dr. Scott Staska
Superintendent
Rocori School District
Cold Spring, Minnesota
