you are a red

visionary
decisive
demanding
logical
insensitive

red
definitely

Adapted from a presentation given by

Dr. Taylor Hartman

C O LO RC O D E
Personality science.
you are a red definitely a red

STRENGTHS Reds are logical. Because you are not governed by

emotion, the decisions you make in your life are well
You are a Red. You have many wonderful strengths.
thought out and may appear insensitive. For example,
You are the life blood of humanity. Reds are the movers
you may choose your wedding date to best take
and the shakers in society. If you want something
advantage of the tax year.
done, enlist a Red. You’re known for your dominant
nature. You take a back seat to no one—whether you’re LIMITATIONS
a child or an adult. You are the best leaders in terms
of delegation. You do not need to get the job done Reds are actually easily detected and understood.
yourself; you’re happy to let others do it and monitor Healthy Reds love the Color Code concept because
their work. You do like to look good, however, so you it make such sense. Unhealthy Reds are frightened by
follow through to make sure that whatever is done, is how it exposes them.
done well. Reds can be difficult to live and work with unless they
Reds move forcefully through life. Helen Keller said, get their way. Your behavior can be taxing. You expect
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” others to get the job done, and to make you look good.
That is how Reds see life. You are not satisfied unless Reds can be demanding. You are impatient with
you are actively pursuing something. You don’t sit back inadequacy (in yourself and others) and nothing short
and enjoy what you’ve accomplished. You build the of perfection is tolerated. As a boss, you expect others
bridge, and then you let others walk over it because to work long hours because you do.
you’re off doing something else. Walking over the
A Red’s selfish nature is a constant reminder to other
bridge is not what interests you.
personalities that you will always consider yourself
As a result of your tenacious nature, you can be counted number one. You ask the questions, “What’s in it for
on to make things happen. You are very focused and have me? What am I going to get out of this?”
the ability to help others focus. Nothing can deter you,
Reds are highly verbal and can attack people easily.
and whether you are liked or not is unimportant and
You can be tactless. You have a tendency to state your
irrelevant. You simply do what you know has to be done.
opinion, whether hurtful or not, and move on.
Reds are visionary. You are not stuck in the day to
day; you think ahead. As a Red parent, you are already
planning for your child’s education and have a fund set
aside. Red parents direct their kids toward things that
will make them a livelihood as they get older.

Reds are very direct and decisive. In the work world,

one of the greatest assets you bring to the table is the
ability to make a decision and follow it through. You
are an independent thinker and do not need somebody
else to direct your work.

Reds are very assertive. Everyone knows where you

stand. You do not need to be coaxed into expressing
your opinion. You speak your mind, often without
sensitivity.

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you are a red definitely a red
Reds are guilty of denial. You’re often surprised that tend to talk about the bad day you’ve had, that you
others see you in a negative light, because you don’t lost money on the stock market, or anything that will
see yourself as negative. You are just rather tactless and present you in an inadequate light.
direct.
Reds want leadership. Employers should give you an
Reds are insensitive. You know what you want and how opportunity to grow. The biggest mistake an employer
to get it even if it means manipulation of people or can make is to stifle a Red’s innate leadership skills. If
events. you do not have an opportunity to prove yourself, you
will likely move on.
Reds lack compassion. If you develop the gift of
compassion, you are pretty tough to beat. You are very Reds want challenging adventures. You hate boredom.
capable when the dimension of compassion is added. You hate the same routine everyday. You like people
who are fresh, innovative, and invigorating. Change
Reds are arrogant. You think you know everything
is very important to Reds. You are the ones who are
about everything. The irony is, you often do.
going to go on rafting trips, climb mountains, and
Reds are impatient. You want to take action now, and try new experiences and adventures. You’re also the
you expect your children, spouse, or employees to want entrepreneurs of this society, because you are willing to
the same. Impatience gets in the way for you. Often, get up, fall down, and get up again.
people don’t want to learn from you because they are
intimidated by your lack of patience. SECONDARY COLORS
Reds tend to hide their insecurities. You create such a Remember that you can
wonderful life for others by getting things done, but have only one Driving
you don’t invite them into your life, so you spend most 23% Core Motive. However, it is
of your time alone. Not that that’s the end of the world, 47% possible to have a Secondary
9%
because intimacy is not of real importance to you. Color that also influences you.
21% A Secondary Color means
NEEDS AND WANTS that you might have “another
Reds need to look good academically. You need to be side” to you that is a little
able to stand on your own ground intellectually. different than what someone
would expect from you if considering only your Core
Reds need to be right. One of the biggest challenges for
Motive.
Red children in school is that they want an opportunity
to express themselves. His need should not be subdued, If you do have a Secondary Color, there will be times
it should be promoted. and situations where its impact in your life is a positive
one—in other words, it enhances what you do. There
Reds need respect. This is very important. If you don’t
are other times when the influence of your Secondary
respect others, and if you don’t feel respected by them,
Color will be a destructive one.
there is no connection. Possibly more than being loved,
Reds need to be respected. Also, for good or for bad, that secondary influence
will be stronger for some than it is for others. It is
Reds need approval. If someone considers you to be
important to note, however, that no matter how strong
important, you will seek his or her approval.
the influence of the Secondary Color, it is still not
Reds want to hide their insecurities. You don’t want nearly as significant as the Core Color itself.
people to know where you’re inadequate. You don’t

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you are a red definitely a red

Red with Blue Red with Yellow

A Red with a Blue Secondary Color can be a very A secondary Yellow is the most natural blend of all for
different personality than a Red/Red. A Red with a a Red. Reds’ and Yellows’ similarities are complimentary
lot of Blue may experience guilt, or feel more emotion. and combine to make dynamic individuals. Your Red
Reds with Blue are very intense—you can do anything! side has great vision and leadership, while your Yellow
side has a wonderful sense of enthusiasm and flair for
However, you do have conflicting traits that can be
life that invites others to follow you. You know where
confusing.
you want to go, and you know how to bring others
Example along with you.
The Red boss furiously storms into an employee’s
office and berates him because something has not ROLES
been done right. After he’s done, he walks out of the
office and thinks, “Oh, my gosh… how would I have Red Children
felt if someone had done that to me?” Contrite, he Red children are not going to thank anyone for
goes back into the office, apologizes, and offers to take anything. In their mind they could do a better job
the employee to lunch. The employee is confused by
anyway. Red children are very independent. For
the mixed message. He doesn’t know quite where this
example, a Red child will resent her parent picking out
person is really coming from or what to expect next.
what she should wear, insisting that she knows better.
Because of your Red Driving Core Motive of power, it The easiest way to deal with Red children is to give
is important to work on eliminating Blue limitations. them a choice. As long as they feel like they are making
Blue limitations, like whining, complaining, or being the final decision, they’re fine.
overly emotional are incongruent with and will Red children play by themselves well because they
sabotage your Driving Core Motive. can boss around their imaginary friends, and their
Red with White imaginary friends obey them. Red kids do not need to
be entertained.
Red with White is a very difficult blend to read. Both
colors have the gift of logic. It’s tough to know when Red teenagers won’t do drugs unless they want to. They
you’re going to be upset about something. You might cannot be intimidated. They will do what they think is
nail someone to the wall for something trivial, and right for them and will not fall victim to peer pressure.
then be complacent when he wrecks your car the next The biggest problem that people (especially Blues) have
week. The White side—the more passive and accepting with Red children, is that Red children don’t care who
side—comes out. And you don’t know quite when is the adult or who has authority. They are very direct
you’re going to be upset and when you’re not. and will challenge any orders. They are highly verbal, so
Reds with White are stoic. You’re not abrasive (White it’s very tough for them just to shut up. When they’re
side). You are very much focused on what you want to in a debate, they’re going to carry it to the end—even
do (Red side). Reds have perception, the White brings if it means being punished. Typically, they just want to
clarity. You are very clear on what’s going on. And express themselves.
unlike most Reds, who kind of go through life like a Red children are very defiant. They will take you on.
bull in a china closet, Reds with White will stop and A red child will respect appropriate standards, but not
think things through. You analyze the problem and road blocks. Don’t be petty. If you want to win the war,
won’t act until you are sure of the solution. then let them win some battles.

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you are a red definitely a red
A Red kid is never down. He wants to get on with life. five minutes, you’re not going anywhere the rest of your
Remember the key to The Color Code is “motive.” The life.” That’s it. There is no debate! You just tell others
motive of a Red is “Power.” If a Red child is depressed, what to do and you expect them to do it.
it is because he has no power. Red children do not value
Reds in the Workplace
parents that whine and complain about life. They are
uninterested. Reds make great employees because they are self-
reliant. You don’t need a lot of direction. Your motto
In the school setting, Red children are often the ones
could be, “Tell me what the bottom line is, and I’ll
that leave school too soon because they’re bored.
figure out how to make it happen.” You don’t require a
Red Parents lot of time from your manager.

As parents, Reds are terribly resourceful. You will Reds are also excellent delegators. You build strong
always find a way to get others to do things that teams and rely on them to make you look good.
you want you to do. You can be quite manipulative.
You’re not normally detail-oriented. If you want
You’re very strong and determined. Red parents give
someone that is going to follow-up, hire a Blue. The
good feedback and good advice (maybe too much
Red has already moved on.
sometimes).
In the work place, Reds are very productive if given
You expect your children to look good, act well, be
a task that is interesting. You are often misread when
appropriate, and measure up to your own high standard.
others think that you are defying them and blatantly
You are quite demanding. You’re not particularly warm. disobeying. That isn’t true. What’s happening is that
You like children, but you expect them to behave you’re bored and acting out.
properly. You are not interested in children who whine,
You don’t bring your personal problems to work nor
“Life’s boring. Life’s no fun. There’s nothing to do.” You
your work problems home. You simply get on with the
are not going to come up with twenty suggestions. A
matter at hand.
Red parent’s approach is, “If you don’t come up with
something in five minutes, I’ll have three jobs for you Reds are typically very bright. You have a good sense of
to do.” what is going on around you. You like change and new
challenges.
Red parents are in control. The sooner that lesson is
learned, the sooner your family will be happy. Your Routine does not sit well with you. Over a period of
leadership is absolutely unquestioned. A Blue parent years in the same kind of work setting, your interest
would say to a child, “I want you to clean your room will wane and you will no longer be as innovative or
right now. We’re not going to keep living like pigs challenged as you once were.
in this house. I clean the house everyday so that we
Example
can have a nice environment and because I love you, Many Reds are drawn to the field of law. However,
and you need to help too. It seems like nobody works they often find that while law school is tough, exciting
around the house but me, and I’m sick of it. I’m sick and challenging, the practice of law is very different.
of doing it all. I’m tired and worn out. If you can’t get The judicial system moves at a snail’s pace, wearing
your room clean, then don’t ask me to do anything for them down. So, many Red lawyers seek other
professions because they are bored. They want to do
you like drive you every place that I take you.” A Red
different things.
parent says it very differently, “If the room’s not clean in

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you are a red definitely a red

RELATIONSHIPS creations, while a Red wants to move on to the next

challenge once the task is complete. Reds want their
Red-Red Relationships kids raised and gone, believing their job fulfilled. Blues
The Red-Red relationship is referred to as “fireworks” see raising children as a life-long commitment.
because it is not dull. Reds have really only two rules in
Reds are arrogant and Blues are self-righteous. If a
life. Rule number one is that they are always right. Rule
group of friends get together and one of them looks
number two is if, and that is a huge if, they are wrong,
as if he is down in the dumps, the Red will tell him
see rule number one. So you can imagine what happens
bluntly that he looks awful and ask what’s wrong. The
when two Reds get together.
Blue will quietly pull another friend aside, express
Example concern for their mutual friend and devise a plan to
A Red husband comes home for dinner to his Red help. Reds are direct to the point of insensitivity while
wife. The food isn’t prepared. So, he takes the pot of Blues beat around the bush.
beans and throws them out the door. She, in turn,
takes his gun and throws it through the window. They Example
empty the kitchen. Plates, tables, food...all outside. The president of a large sporting goods store was
Then they breakdown laughing hysterically and go out very Red. She had a Blue assistant The Blue was very
to dinner. But they leave the kids home to fend for committed to his boss. He would write her pages and
themselves. pages of memos about store activities to keep his boss
informed of what was going on. But Reds don’t have
The problem with a Red-Red relationship is that you time for three-page memos. The Red wanted to tell
have a hard time seeing beyond your own personalities. him, “I don’t want anymore memos!” But she knew
You have a hard time empathizing with and accepting that was how he expressed his accomplishments. To
solve the problem, the Red asked the Blue to highlight
the lifestyles of those different from you.
specifically what the Red needed to know, and make
Red-Blue Relationships it so she could read it in three seconds. The Blue was
able to continue expressing himself in a three page
There is nothing more powerful than a Red-Blue
memo and the Red was able to read what she felt was
relationship. Blues are powerful and Reds are powerful. pertinent and no more.
The potential conflicts are that Reds are power
oriented, while Blues are intimacy oriented. A Red In a marriage, you might find a Blue woman who
thinks logically and gets on with life, while a Blue feels comes home from work and wants to discuss with her
emotionally, and wants to share intimacies. Red husband all the things that happened that day,
Reds are selfish and Blues are selfless. In a Red-Blue and he’s thinking, “Okay, so you went to work and you
relationship, it is usually the Red that gets what he earned your money, now let’s get on with the evening.”
wants. Reds are very direct and very self-assured. Blues are
Reds want to look good and Blues want to be good, rather indirect and more self-conscious. So with Reds
which is an interesting dichotomy. Reds want to look and Blues, you’re going to have automatic conflicts.
good to the public, whereas Blues want to do whatever Red-White Relationships
is right within their heart, sometimes causing conflict,
The Red-White relationship is referred to as “fire and
even in terms if honesty.
ice.” This is the most natural and comfortable blend.
Reds are logical. Blues are emotional. Reds are The Red demands, “I’m the boss.” The White says,
productive. Blues are creative. A Blue is proud of his “Okay by me.”

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you are a red definitely a red
A potential conflict in the Red-White relationship have to stretch dramatically to make it work. Reds are
is that sometimes Whites are too boring for Reds. very responsible people. Reds are driven—they balance
Reds want action, and want someone to challenge checkbooks, and expect things to be done on time.
them. Whites will be too accepting, self-doubting, and Yellows are more carefree, spontaneous, and emotional.
passive. This relationship can be volatile unless you’re both
“charactered.” Then the relationship is unbeatable.
Reds are also very bossy people. If a White is not
careful she will allow a Red to bulldoze her. Reds are Reds must learn selflessness, patience, and sincere
too opinionated. Whites can be rather uncommitted. A emotion for a Yellow to really trust them. A Yellow
White knows what she believes, but she will not often must learn responsibility, honesty, and logic. Often
say something to the Red. A White just holds it inside. Reds and Yellows are so selfish that they are not willing
to make these changes.
Reds can be workaholics. You love to pursue with
passion things to be done. Whites take a much more In business, the Red-Yellow relationships can be
lazy, kicked back, relaxed point of view. fantastic. The Yellow is the creative force and the Red is
the action. Reds take the Yellows’ ideas and make them
Don’t think Whites aren’t aware of what’s going on.
happen.
Their “silent stubbornness” will sometimes get the best
of a Red.
CONCLUSION
Red-Yellow Relationships You are a Red. You are decisive, demanding, logical and
Red-Yellow relationships are referred to “friendly fire.” insensitive. You are the life blood of humanity. You are
This is the toughest marital blend because both people definitely a Red.

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