This article begins a cycle of four articles in four weeks about the great fortune of having a boss of each of the four Colors.
This week is Green - the Rational, the Strategic Thinker. Green Rationals care most about possessing - yes, owning - the knowledge and competence of a professional who strives every single day to meet high expectations. They demand it for themselves and also for those with whom they associate.
What follows are nine reasons to be glad you get to work for the Green boss above you.
1. Green bosses like to figure out the complicated stuff. They love to view the big picture, analyze it, systematize it, and take control of it. Colleagues and employees of the other Colors will rarely take on the complex challenges that Green folks love. Every organization needs Green approaches to survive for the long term. Employees who recognize these Green strengths are wise to appreciate them, tap into them, contribute appropriate input, then respect the integrity of the planning.
2. Plans made by Green folks tend to be efficient, not wasting money. "The biggest bang for the buck" was probably a Green coinage. Green people dislike - often intensely - misusing time and resources.
3. Greens, however, love to buy the right resources. The latest gadgets often appeal to Green folks - especially those that help solve problems and create useful results.
4. Greens pride themselves in really good ideas. Employees who want to present good ideas can count on a warm audience from a Green boss, but beware: Do not get a rep for presenting half-baked thoughts or else you may never get an audience again.
5. Greens usually have a Plan B and C when Plan A goes wrong.
6. If something is logical, a Green will be open to it. They look for sound structure, integral relationships, and believable science. Greens are introspective, abstract, and logical by nature.
7. Greens will recognize a need for important changes and then will act on sound information. Most Colors are open to change, but Green folks will go most for change that raises the bar in efficiency and improved performance. Approach a Green boss for change in those terms.
8. Greens will not bore you with old information or silly small talk. In fact, your own trivial conversation may annoy them. Impress a Green boss with new information each time you meet.
9. Greens will not want to micromanage you but will have high expectations. The high demands that Greens put on themselves to achieve goals are expected from the people around them. If Greens have an Achilles heel it's that they may find out too late that the people around them have delivered mediocre performances right under their noses. The highest priority a Green's employee should have is to be known for excellent performance that commands respect and to be seen as a valuable and dependably competent player.
