Assessment Tips

How to use a 4-color personality test in organizations

Imagine using just four colors—Blue, Red, Green, and Yellow—to understand people better at work and in life. TestGroup's 4-color personality test offers a simple way to identify both your own and others' strengths. This tool supports personal growth, strengthens team dynamics, boosts sales, and enhances leadership skills. Simple and effective, it’s a powerful way to improve how you connect and communicate every day.

How to order the 4-color personality test

Ordering the 4 Color Personality Test from TestGroup is simple and flexible. If you only need a test now and then, you can order a single test per candidate and pay as you go—great for specific hires or team checks. For companies that need regular assessments, an unlimited account gives you ongoing access to as many tests as you need. Both options include clear reports that help you understand personality traits for better hiring and team building.

The 4-color personality model

This highly accurate test uses a simple 4-color model (blue, green, red, and yellow) to provide insight into behavioral preferences for the growth of the individual, team, and organization regarding work performance.

The 4-color personality wheel 

The 4-color personality wheel serves as a visual framework, mapping individual traits across 72 unique positions based on four core colors: Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue. It identifies eight distinct personality types, blending traits from adjacent colors, similar to the Insights Discovery Wheel.

How the 4-color personality report works

The 4-color personality report uses two scoring methods—normative and ipsative—to provide a deeper understanding of personality.

• Normative Scoring: Measures agreement or disagreement on a scale from 1 to 9 (1 = very strong disagreement, 9 = very strong agreement).
• Ipsative Scoring: Uses a "forced choice" format, where candidates rank items from least (1) to most (6) relevant.

By combining these methods, the test provides a more accurate and reliable understanding of self-perception and personality, backed by research in testing theory.

Conscious and less conscious wheel positions

The test also evaluates both your conscious persona (how you act intentionally) and your less conscious persona (how you instinctively react). This dual perspective helps you reflect on your behaviors and uncover areas for growth.

• Conscious Persona/Wheel position (Normative Score): Reflects how you "ACT" in various situations based on who you are, who you want to be, and who you need to be.
• Less Conscious Persona/Wheel position (Ipsative Score): Reveals your instinctive responses, highlighting potential blind spots and showing how you "REACT" under challenges or unexpected circumstances.

The 8 personality types

Each of the 4 colors represents specific traits and behaviors, which combine to create the following eight personality types:

• 1. The Auditor (Blue): Focused, detail-oriented, and highly analytical.
• 2. The Planner (Blue/Green): Organized, methodical, and dependable.
• 3. The Connector (Green): Empathetic, relationship-driven, and a natural networker.
• 4. The Mediator (Green/Yellow): Calm, conflict-averse, and a peacekeeper.
• 5. The Visionary (Yellow): Imaginative, innovative, and future-focused.
• 6. The Entrepreneur (Yellow/Red): Dynamic, risk-taking, and action-oriented.
• 7. The Director (Red): Decisive, goal-oriented, and a strong leader.
• 8. The Change Agent (Red/Blue): Adaptive, forward-thinking, and driven by results.

In-company training: 4-color personality test

Learn how to use the 4-color personality test with TestGroup's 4-color test training. This one-day workshop is designed to show you how to apply the 4-color model from The Bridge Personality for coaching, training, and developing employees. It's perfect for groups of up to 12 people and can be done either at your location or online. We provide all the materials you need, including an individual 4-color personality report and a 4-color team report for everyone taking part.

It's important to know that you don't have to complete this training to buy the 4-color personality test or any other Bridge assessment tool. TestGroup's tests and online assessments are available for purchase without this training. This particular training is tailored for clients who want to deepen their understanding of how to use the 4 colors to enhance team dynamics, coaching, and the development of their employees.

Order a 4-color personality test here

• You can order a 4-color personality test on our order page;
• Orders can be placed by companies and organizations from any country in the world;
• We will email the login details to you within just 30 minutes;
• The test remains available until the participant has completed it;
• After completion, the assessment report will be available immediately;
• Easy (online) payment after delivery;
• High volume use? Then consider a cost-efficient subscription on The Bridge Assessment Platform. This ensures the lowest price per 4-color test.

Do-it-yourself 4-color team workshop

With the 'do-it-yourself-package' you get all the materials necessary to deliver your own 4-color team workshop. The 4-color tests and team report for all team members are included. Of course, you will also receive assistance from a TestGroup consultant. If desired, a consultant will go through the reports and PowerPoint sheets of the team workshop with you so you feel confident to start working with your team yourself.

Improving team performance with the 4 colors

The foundation of a successful organization lies in the efficacy of its people. Each team, with its unique makeup, must master the art of connecting, communicating, and collaborating to maximize its potential. Central to achieving this team synergy is a deep comprehension of individual behaviors, preferences, and communication styles, and their impact on fellow members. A proficient team is characterized by its adaptability to diverse communication methods, ensuring optimal results.

Understanding oneself and others enhances respect, productivity, and positive interactions, fostering an environment ripe for innovation, creativity, and high productivity. Each individual’s unique preferences contribute distinct strengths and qualities to the team, along with varied motivators and potential blind spots.

In the context of team dynamics, there is no hierarchy in 'color energies' – a concept used in The Bridge Personality 4-color personality test. This model is not about measuring skills but enhancing self-awareness and interpersonal understanding to optimize team performance. The Bridge Personality employs an easy-to-remember color language, useful in daily interactions, especially during conflicts, team changes, or shifts in leadership. 

How to use a color personality test: Do's and Don'ts

Do:

• 1. Treat each person as unique—everyone blends all color energies, not just one.
• 2. Consider other life factors that might influence choices; take a holistic view.
• 3. Separate your opinions from facts when discussing results.
• 4. Keep your input broad—ask more questions than you answer to avoid bias.
• 5. Remember Jung’s wisdom: “Every individual is an exception to the rule.”
• 6. Use the model as a way to understand behavior, not measure skills or intelligence. It’s about preference, not ability.

Don’t:

• 1. Never box someone into a single color or trait.
• 2. Avoid diagnosing or interpreting facts based on colors—the individual knows themselves best.
• 3. Don’t assume meaning from a specific color spread without context.
• 4. Never use the colors to belittle or excuse behavior (e.g., having less Blue doesn’t mean you “can’t” use spreadsheets).
• 5. Don’t limit someone’s growth; experience and effort can transcend initial preferences.
• 6. Avoid labeling someone’s color or judging their choices before they identify themselves.

What are the advantages of using a 4-color test in organizations?

Armed with a nuanced understanding of behavioral tendencies, individuals can more effectively adjust their strategies according to the task, individual, or group they are interacting with. This awareness also allows them to recognize and contribute to the team’s dynamic, understanding that all 4 color energies are essential for team success.

Using the 4-color model in organizations results in:

• Enhanced communication
• Greater employee engagement
• Increased self-awareness
• Strengthened team collaboration
• Improved overall performance

Implementing The Bridge Personality 4-color test in your business:

Upon completing the Bridge Personality questionnaire online, each participant receives a 4-color report. For the team, a 4-color team report will be generated. This powerful report is instrumental in resolving conflicts, refining communication, and helping teams appreciate the value of each member’s contribution in the workplace.

What is a color personality test?

Using a basic paradigm based on 4 colors, the Bridge Personality color test shows us how to best communicate and interact with others to maximize our communication abilities. By providing us with a practical toolkit, we may improve our ability to effectively communicate with others, rather than relying on trial and error to win over our boss or convince a direct report to stick with a project.

Who is the color personality test for?

If you wish to increase your interpersonal communication and self-awareness in the workplace, you must try the Bridge Personality 4-color test. This test produces profiles for each person who takes the The Bridge Personality assessment and can be shared with coworkers. Your 4-color test report is easy to follow and gives you pointers on how to put what you've learned into practice in your everyday life.

The most effective application of this test, however, is when it is used as a team-building exercise. Your colleagues will be able to communicate more openly about the positive and negative aspects of their behavior, which provides a safe language to employ. People enjoy learning about their personal color preferences and getting to know one another while using the 4-color test.

Team workshop: do-it-yourself kit for organizations

What objectives are you aiming to achieve with your team? Identifying areas that need enhancement and aspects where your team could use a boost in motivation is crucial. The team workshop: do-it-yourself kit is designed to provide insights that can elevate your team's performance. Our unique do-it-yourself package equips you with all the essentials to conduct your own team workshop. This package includes individual Bridge Personality reports for each team member and a comprehensive team report for the entire group. With this do-it-yourself kit, you have everything at your disposal to kickstart your workshop immediately.

No matter the composition of your team, The Bridge Personality team report is a valuable tool for enhancing collaborative efforts and contributing to the overall success of your organization. The Bridge Personality sheds light on what drives individuals, enabling you to swiftly discern the team’s strengths and areas for improvement. Utilize the provided exercises and recommendations to boost team performance.

The do-it-yourself package includes all necessary materials for hosting a successful team workshop. Additionally, you'll receive expert guidance from a TestGroup consultant. If needed, a consultant can review the workshop reports and materials with you, ensuring you feel fully prepared to lead your team effectively.

Sample of the 4-color team report

Take a look at our sample 4-color personality test team report. It includes everything - the 16 Jung Types in your team, the 4 color profiles for each member, plus some great exercises and tips for your training or meeting sessions. Also, every team member gets their own personal 4-color personality test report. It’s a comprehensive package that offers valuable insights for your team.

What benefits will my team get from a color personality test?

When a team is at any level of development, the 4-color personality test can be used to boost performance. The storming stage of group development is a good place to introduce it early. Personalities may collide while the storm is raging. Work can be complicated if team members have clashing opinions on how to go about a project, and they may even doubt the leader's authority or guidance. This 4-color personality test can improve communication and help ease tensions by allowing everyone to better understand other coworkers’ personalities and perspectives.

Conflict is a possibility for nearly every team. Some teams aim to avoid disagreement at all costs, skipping the storming stage altogether. A 4-color test can result in an increased level of cooperation and a more productive team overall. Here are some of the other benefits:

• Team members will continue to utilize the knowledge gained for years to come.
• As coworkers discuss their wants, needs, and solutions for working together better, they build trust in one another.
• To receive the best response from their team, the department head becomes more aware of their natural leadership style and can adjust it.
• The team assessment fosters productive dialogue between managers and their subordinates and provides concrete solutions to work together more effectively.
• It aids employees who deal directly with customers in building better bonds with them, which positively affects the company's financial results.

Does this color test also work in virtual teams?

The Bridge Personality can be conducted in person or virtually. It can be particularly beneficial for virtual teams, since there are fewer visual cues that would normally help people communicate with each other. Thus, understanding coworkers’ personalities and preferences is crucial.

Order the 4-color test

You can order a 4-color personality test from our order page.

• It takes just one hour for your employee or candidate to complete the test.
• The report is available immediately after completion.
• A TestGroup specialist is available to help you navigate the report.

Features of the color personality test for organizations

• A detailed profile of your personality.
• There's also a 4-color report from the team.
• Can be used in combination with the 16 Personality Test.
• Ideal for use in coaching and development activities.
• This report can be customized to meet your specific needs: just select the skills you want to learn.
• This test determines your candidate's honesty during its completion.

How to use the 4-color personality test for conflict resolution

In any team environment, trust is the cornerstone of effective collaboration and innovation. However, when trust is lacking, team members may hesitate to share their ideas and opinions, fearing vulnerability and potential conflict. Even teams that seem productive and efficient on the surface can struggle with these underlying issues. Improving team dynamics not only enhances the quality of work but also represents a smart, forward-thinking investment in your people.

Four strategies for constructive conflict resolution with the 4-color model

Conflict is a natural part of human interaction, and our instinctual fight or flight response can often exacerbate these situations. Recognizing how different personality types, represented by colors, react to and handle conflict can pave the way for more effective resolution strategies.

• Yellow: might struggle to provide sufficient space and freedom, forgetting to acknowledge or praise their teammates.
• Red: are prone to engaging in unnecessary conflicts and may interrupt others during intense discussions.
• Green: might avoid taking decisive action under stress, preferring prolonged silence over initiating conflict resolution.
• Blue: tend to focus excessively on details and negatives, sometimes overlooking the importance of positivity and potential solutions.

Conflict resolution strategy 1: Actively promote the use of the 4-colors in your team

Constantly remind your team about the 4 colors and their associated behaviors. Use visual aids like color bricks and team wheels to facilitate better engagement. Incorporating these concepts into your meetings as a standard practice can significantly improve communication and understanding.

• Yellow: Encourage sharing and optimism, reminding Yellows to also listen and give space for others’ contributions.
• Red : Use Reds' assertiveness to drive discussions forward, but temper it with patience and respect for others’ input.
• Green: Greens’ calm and supportive nature can be a cornerstone in maintaining harmony; remind them to also engage actively in solution-finding.
• Blue: Leverage Blues’ attention to detail and analytical skills in dissecting problems, while encouraging a focus on positive outcomes and creative solutions.

Conflict resolution strategy 2: Authenticity over niceness

While being nice is often seen as a virtue, inauthentic niceness can be detrimental to genuine relationships, teamwork, and ultimately, productivity. It's normal to want to avoid difficult conversations, but addressing issues directly is crucial for the team's health and output.

• Yellow: Challenge Yellows to use their natural positivity to foster genuine conversations, even when it means addressing uncomfortable truths.
• Red: Encourage Reds to balance their directness with empathy, ensuring that honesty doesn’t overshadow compassion.
• Green: Support Greens in stepping out of their comfort zone to voice concerns and opinions, emphasizing the value of authenticity over passive agreement.
• Blue: Motivate Blues to express their critical insights constructively, framing critiques in a way that encourages growth and positive change.

Conflict resolution strategy 3: Understand and respect boundaries

Get to know your colleagues' limits and experiment with ideas in a respectful manner. It's important to agree that everyone will speak up if they feel a boundary has been crossed, fostering a safe environment for open communication.

• Yellow: Remind Yellows' to respect others’ needs for space and quiet reflection, acknowledging that enthusiasm should not override personal boundaries.
• Red: Help Reds' understand the importance of pausing and allowing others to contribute, recognizing that leadership also involves listening.
• Green: Assist Greens' in asserting their own boundaries, encouraging them to voice when they need support or when they’re overwhelmed.
• Blue: Encourage Blues' to be open about their need for detail and clarity, while also respecting others’ desires for broader discussions and quicker decision-making.

Conflict resolution strategy 4: Promote open dialogue

Lead by example and encourage ongoing discussions about the challenges and benefits of creating a high-challenge environment. Highlighting the positive outcomes and celebrating them together can motivate the team to embrace and navigate conflicts constructively.

• Yellow: Utilize Yellow’s natural sociability to foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing and discussing openly.
• Red: Leverage Red’s leadership qualities to champion honest and productive conversations, setting the tone for open and respectful dialogue.
• Green: Draw on Green’s empathetic and understanding nature to ensure that all team members feel heard and valued during discussions.
• Blue: Use Blue’s analytical skills to help dissect complex issues, encouraging a culture where challenges are addressed through collective brainstorming and problem-solving.

By tailoring conflict resolution strategies to the strengths and weaknesses of each color personality, teams can enhance their communication, understanding, and overall effectiveness. This approach not only resolves conflicts more constructively but also builds a stronger, more cohesive team dynamic.

Do you need a test for recruitment? Then use a Big Five Personality Test

If you're considering a personality test for employee selection or recruitment, consider the scientifically developed Big Five Personality Test offered by TestGroup. This comprehensive assessment measures the five fundamental dimensions of personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Emotional Stability. Each trait provides valuable insights into an individual's character, making it an essential tool for effective hiring decisions.