Take the Lead

UNIT 1 Lesson 9:
What’s Your Style?

Grade level: 6-8 National Education

Standards:
Learning objectives: Language Arts
Participants will learn: Mathematics
• to define and describe autocratic,
democratic and laissez-faire Life Skills Model:
leadership styles Problem solving
• to recognize common leadership Decision making
roles in a group Social skills
• about their personal leadership Planning/organizing
styles
• about personality traits and how Time required:
they affect leadership styles 60 minutes

Codes for TEKS: Equipment/Materials:

Language Arts Newsprint or chalkboard
Fine Arts Markers or chalk
Mathematics Pencils

Codes for 40 Handouts/Support Materials:

Developmental Assets: The Lion, The Fox and the Saint
Interpersonal skills Bernard Survey
Responsibility The Lion, The Fox and the Saint
Planning and decision making Bernard Score Sheet
The Lion, The Fox and the Saint
Bernard Summary Sheet
CARE Leadership Styles
The Color Personality Test
Unit 1, Lesson 9 - page 2 What’s Your Style?

If a leader demonstrates competency, genuine concern for

others, and admirable character, people will follow.
– T. Richard Chase

What kind of leadership style do you use when you are responsible for
coordinating an activity or project?

Allow participants to respond. If they do not come up with any possible

answers, give some prompts such as: Are you controlling? Do you try to
involve all team members? Do you make all the decisions without any
input from the group? Do you study things thoroughly before making a
decision or are you a “fly by the seat of your pants” leader?

Is it possible for someone to have more than one leadership style?

Allow young people to respond.

Yes, it is possible to have more than one leadership style. Sometimes a leader
may need to change the way he or she does things to adapt to a specific situation
or group.
Can you have a leadership role without being the “big dog” or leader of a
project?

Allow young people to respond.

Of course you can! There are many different leadership roles and we’ll talk
about those in a little bit.
What about personality types? Can the personalities of group members influence
the way a leader conducts business?

Allow participants to respond.

The personalities of team members can be a huge factor in the leadership style
that is needed for the group. In this session—What Style Are You?—we will
explore not only our leadership styles but also our personality types so we can
learn to be the very best leaders we can be! Let’s start with leadership styles.
There are lots of leadership styles, but today we are going to focus on three main
styles. Those are autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire (lessay fair).
Unit 1, Lesson 9 - page 3 What’s Your Style?

Let’s first look at the autocratic leadership style. Can anyone tell me what
autocratic means?

Allow young people to respond.

Autocratic leadership means that the leader makes decisions without consulting
others. An autocratic style works when there is no need for anyone else to help
make a decision. It also works when there is only one decision that can be
made, and when the motivation of people to carry out the decision would not be
affected whether or not they were involved in the decision making.
The next leadership style is the democratic style. What do you think this style of
leadership is like?

Allow participants to respond.

In the democratic style, the leader involves other people in the decision making.
After getting other people’s ideas, the leader may have the final say or may try
to help the group reach consensus. Members of a group usually appreciate a
democratic leadership style. It can be a problem, though, when there is a wide
range of opinions and no clear way to make a decision that pleases everyone.
Can someone tell me what a laissez-faire leadership style is?

Allow young people to respond.

Laissez-faire is a French word that means letting people do as they please. With
this style the leader doesn’t have much involvement in decision making and
people are allowed to make their own decisions. They may also be responsible
for the outcome. The laissez-faire style works best when people are capable and
motivated and don’t need much guidance.
Which of these three leadership styles do you think works best for most
situations?

Allow participants to respond. The best answer is democratic leadership.

Which of these leadership styles would be the most frustrating for you as a
member of a team?

Allow young people to respond.

Unit 1, Lesson 9 - page 4 What’s Your Style?

As I mentioned earlier, there are specific situations in which each style of

leadership is needed. Even autocratic leadership can be best sometimes. If a
situation calls for an autocratic leader, however, it does not mean the leader has
to be mean or ugly to the team members. An autocratic leader who does treat
people badly probably won’t be successful. In fact, when people feel they have
no voice at all it can lead to revolution. A laissez-faire approach will work well
sometimes, but usually people don’t get as much good work done and don’t put
as much energy into their work as when they are actively led. Research shows us
that the democratic leadership style is usually the most effective.
Now that you have a little more information about these three leadership styles,
which type of leader are you?

Allow participants to respond.

Now let’s talk about the different types of leadership roles that members might
fill in a group. Can anyone name what some of those roles might be?

Allow participants to respond. Record responses on newsprint where

everyone can see.

Those are great ideas! Here are some other leadership roles you will find in most
groups.
• Creative thinker. This group member has original thoughts and can come
up with innovative ideas to help reach goals.
• Worker bee. This person is very involved with the project and knows what
the end result should be. He or she can evaluate the situation, contribute to
the discussion, and carry out specific tasks. The worker is an important role!
• Problem solver. This group member is a mover and a shaker, good at
making decisions and determining the best course of action to take.
• Time keeper. This person is the clerk or recorder for the group. He or she
keeps the group focused and on schedule.
• Marketer. The marketer contributes, promotes and sells ideas to the rest of
the group.
• Organizer. This group member is knowledgeable, dependable and a good
planner.
• Social director. This group member is a people person who directs
the social interaction of the group. The social director likes people to
communicate.
• Point person. This person can clearly define the group’s ideas or goals and
helps the group zero in on the task at hand.
Unit 1, Lesson 9 - page 5 What’s Your Style?

Discussion questions:
• Can any of you see yourself in any of these roles?
• Which role do you feel most comfortable playing in a group?
• Do you think that an individual’s role might change when working with
different groups of people?

Now let’s do some activities to find out what leadership style each of you has.

The following activities are leadership style inventory tests. The instructor
may choose to do one, two or all three.

Activity 1: The Lion, The Fox and the Saint Bernard

Objective:
This activity will help participants associate leadership qualities with the
characteristics of the three animals.

Instructions:
Give each participant a pencil and a copy of the handout The Lion,
The Fox and the Saint Bernard Survey. Then give these instructions.

Today we are going to do a fun leadership styles inventory test to find out if you
are a lion, a fox or a Saint Bernard. Before we start the survey, raise your hands
to say which animal represents the kind of leader you think you are. Who is a
lion? A fox? A Saint Bernard? At the top of your survey, write the name of the
animal you think you are.
Each of you has a copy of the survey to complete. You’ll read each line
across the page and then fill in the box in each column with a number ranging
from zero to 10. The numbers in each line across must add up to 10. Look at
the example. It says “My favorite ice cream flavor is...” and the choices are
chocolate, strawberry and vanilla. You will put a number by each of the three
choices to show how true they are for you. If you love chocolate ice cream and
hate strawberry and vanilla, then you might put the number 10 by chocolate
and 0 by the other two. If I were answering the survey my answer would be 7
for chocolate, 2 for strawberry and 1 for vanilla. Does that equal 10? Yes. Does
everyone understand the instructions?
After you put in your scores for each line on both pages, add up the numbers in
each column on page 1 and on page 2. Write the total for each column in the box
at the bottom of the page. Then add up the three column totals on each page. The
grand total on each page should be 100. If it is not, go back and double check
each line and make sure each one adds up to 10. Let me know if you need help.
Unit 1, Lesson 9 - page 6 What’s Your Style?

When participants have finished the survey, give them copies of

The Lion, The Fox and the Saint Bernard Score Sheet. Explain that they
are to transfer scores from the survey to the score sheet.

Now transfer your column totals for each page to the score sheet. After you write
in your column totals for pages 1 and 2, total each column to get the grand total.

Allow time for participants to transfer scores and do math calculations.

Everyone should now have a grand total score for columns A, B and C. Let’s
see how many people we have in each leadership style and then we’ll talk about
what each style is.

Ask the following questions and record on newsprint or a chalkboard the

number of participants who raise their hands for each column.

If your top score was in column A, please raise your hand.

If your top score was in column B, please raise your hand.
If your top score was in column C, please raise your hand.
Those of you who had the highest score in column A are classified as Saint
Bernards. Those of you who had the highest score in column B are classified
as Lions. Those of you who had the highest score in column C are classified as
Foxes.
Now let’s divide up into those three groups and we are going to do a
brainstorming activity. Everyone who had the highest score in column A will
meet together and likewise for B and C.
In your groups, brainstorm ideas and make a list of the characteristics of the
animal that your group represents. Also write down how those characteristics
relate to leadership styles. I have newsprint paper and markers for each group.

Allow time for the participants to complete the tasks. Then have each
small group share its information with the entire group.

I would like for each group to post its list where everyone can see and give a
report about your discussion.
Unit 1, Lesson 9 - page 7 What’s Your Style?

After each group has made its presentation, distribute the handout The
Lion, The Fox and the Saint Bernard Summary Sheet. Review this
information with the group, comparing it to the lists they made of each
animal’s characteristics.

Let’s review the summary sheet and see how it compares with your descriptions
of each animal.
Now, go back to your survey and look at the animal you chose at the very
beginning of the activity. How many of you were right on target with the animal
you thought you were? How many of you chose a different animal than your
survey results showed? Looking at the characteristics of animals is a fun way
to think about leadership styles. And it’s a good way to learn something about
yourself.

Activity 2: CARE Leadership Styles

Objective:
This activity associates leadership qualities with an easy-to-remember
acronym of the word CARE—congeniality, action, reason, excellence.

Instructions:
Give each participant a pencil and a copy of the CARE Leadership Styles
inventory test. Then give instructions.

This leadership style inventory test will help us figure out our personal styles.
Let’s look at the inventory. Your task is to read the characteristic in each box and
then rate yourself on that characteristic using numbers from 1 to 10. Number 1 is
weakest and 10 is strongest. If you think the characteristic doesn’t describe you
at all, give it a number 1. If you think the characteristic describes you exactly,
give it a number 10. You’ll probably rank most characteristics somewhere in
between 1 and 10. Write the numbers under each characteristic. After you’ve
given a number to each characteristic, add the numbers in each column and write
the total at the bottom of each column.

Allow time for participants to complete the inventory. Then ask the
following questions and record their responses on newsprint or a
chalkboard.
Unit 1, Lesson 9 - page 8 What’s Your Style?

Now that everyone has completed the inventory, let’s see what your results were.
If column 1 had your highest total, raise your hand. If column 2 had your highest
total, raise your hand. If column 3 had your highest total, raise your hand. If
column 4 had your highest total, raise your hand.
Now let’s see what each of these columns represents. There are four categories
of leadership qualities represented and the word CARE is an acronym for
them. CARE stands for congeniality, action, reasoning and excellence. Can
you see how the words in each column relate to these four categories? Column
1 is congeniality, column 2 is action, column 3 is reasoning and column 4 is
excellence.

Pass out pages 2 and 3 of the CARE Leadership Styles handout.

I have a summary of each of these categories. Let’s see what they mean.

Review the handout with the group. Or divide the group into the four
smaller groups based on the columns that had their highest scores. Ask the
groups to discuss the information about their leadership characteristics and
then prepare a creative presentation for the whole group. Finally, review
the highlights from the handout and make sure all the key points have been
addressed.

Activity 3: The Color Personality Test

Objective:
This activity is a fun way to relate personality types to colors.

Instructions:
Give each person a pencil and a copy of The Color Personality Test
handout. Give the following instructions.

Let’s have a little fun with personality types. Did you know you can determine
your personality type based on colors? On this test, rank the colors 1 through 8
based on your most favorite to least favorite color.

Allow time for young people to complete the test.

Unit 1, Lesson 9 - page 9 What’s Your Style?

Let’s take a look at each color and you tell me what you think of when you see
that color. We’ll start at the top with blue. What emotions or descriptions come
to your mind?

Allow time for participants to respond. Continue discussing each color.

What about the color brown?

What does red say to you?
What emotions or descriptions come to your mind with the color black?
What about violet or purple?
What does grey say to you?
How about green?
What about yellow?

Hand out The Color Personality Test Results.

Let’s see what the experts say about colors and our personalities. Here is a
description for each color. See if you think these descriptions of the colors match
the characteristics of your personality that you identified in the first activity.

Review the handout and discuss the following questions:

• Which leadership style would work best for each color personality?
• Why is it important for us to know a little about a person’s personality?
• How do different personalities in a group affect a group’s dynamics?
• Did you have a different favorite color when you were younger?
• Can someone’s personality change over time?
• Which colors are most compatible?
• What is the benefit of having people with different personalities in a group?

Extended activities:

These Web sites have other personality profiles the participants can
complete.
• http://www.ullazang.com/personality.html
• http://www.personalityonline.com/tests/tests.html
Unit 1, Lesson 9
What’s Your Style?

The Lion, The Fox and the Saint Bernard

– page 1
There are three possible ways to finish each statement. Score each choice from 0 to 10 – 0 meaning
NEVER and 10 meaning ALWAYS. Write your score in the box to the right of each choice. The three
scores for each statement must add up to 10. After completing each statement, add the numbers in each
of the three vertical columns and write the totals in the boxes at the bottom of the page.

Example: My favorite ice cream is... chocolate 7 strawberry 2 vanilla 1

Column A Column B Column C Totals
1. I enjoy things most when I am...
Helping others do what Getting others to do what I Doing what I want to do without
they want to do. _____ want to do. _____ having to count on others. _____
2. Most of the time I am apt to be...
A feeling person who is An energetic person who is A practical person who is
quick to respond to other quick to see opportunities and careful not to rush into
people’s needs. _____ advantages. _____ things before I’m ready. _____
3. When I meet people for the first time I am most apt to be...
Concerned with whether or Actively curious about them to Politely cautious until I’ve
not they find me a likable learn if there is something in learned what they might
person. _____ it for me. _____ want from me. _____
4. Most of the time I find myself being...
The nice one on whom others The strong one who supplies The thinking one who studies
can generally count to lend the direction for others. things carefully before acting.
a helping hand. _____ _____ _____
5. I feel most satisfied when...
The major decisions have Others count on me to make I’ve had time to study a major
been made by others and the major decisions and tell decision and determine my
the way I can help is clear. _____ them what to do. _____ own best course of action. _____
6. People who know me best see me as a person who can be counted on...
To be trusting of them and To be full of ambition and To be unswerving in my
loyal to them. _____ initiative. _____ convictions and my principles. _____
7. It is most like me to...
Do the best I can and trust Take the lead in developing Be patient, practical and sure
in others to recognize my opportunities and influencing of what I am doing.
contribution. _____ decisions. _____ _____
8. I would describe myself as a person who most of the time is...
Friendly and open and who Energetic and self-confident Cautious and fair and who
sees some good in almost and who sees opportunities stands by what I believe to
everyone. _____ others miss. _____ be right. _____
9. I find those relationships most gratifying in which I can be...
Of support to a strong leader The one who provides the Neither a leader nor a follower
in whom I have faith. leadership others want to but free to pursue my own
_____ follow. _____ independent way. _____
10. When I am at my best, I most enjoy...
Seeing others benefit from Having others turn to me to Being my own boss and
what I have been able to lead and guide them and doing things for myself and
do for them. _____ give them purpose. _____ by myself. _____

Column A Total _____ Column B Total _____ Column C Total _____

Page 1 Grand Total should equal 100 (A + B + C)

This program is sponsored by Texas 4-H, a program of Texas AgriLife Extension, The Texas A&M University System
Unit 1, Lesson 9
What’s Your Style?

The Lion, The Fox and the Saint Bernard

– page 2

Column A Column B Column C Totals

11. When I run into opposition to what I am doing, I am most apt to...
Give up what I am doing and Become forceful and press Become doubly cautious
put my wants to one side in for my right to be doing it. and check my position very
order to be helpful. _____ _____ carefully. _____
12. If I decide I want to overcome someone’s opposition, I will try to...
Change what I am doing Find the holes in that person’s Appeal to the person’s
and try to make it more argument and press the sense of respect for logic
acceptable to the person. _____ strong points in mine. _____ and fair play. _____
13. In getting along with difficult people, I usually...
Find it easier to just go Find them as challenges Respect their rights and
along with their wishes for to be overcome. insist that they respect my
the moment. _____ _____ rights and interests. _____
14. When someone strongly disagrees with me, I tend to...
Give in and do it that Challenge the person Detach myself from the
person’s way unless it is immediately and argue situation until I’ve made
very important to me. _____ as hard as possible. _____ certain of my position. _____
15. When someone openly opposes me, I usually...
Give in for the sake of Face up to the fact that it is Try to withdraw from the
harmony and rely on that a battle and set out to win. relationship and turn to my
person’s sense of justice own interests.
to do right by me. _____ _____ _____
16. If I’m not getting what I want from a relationship, I am most apt to...
Keep hoping and trusting Become more forceful Abandon the relationship
that things will work and persuasive and push and look elsewhere for
themselves out in due time. _____ harder to get what I want. _____ what it is I want. _____
17. When I feel others are taking advantage of my goodwill, I usually...
Turn to people with more Assert my rights and fight State my rights clearly and
experience and ask for for what I am entitled to. insist that in all fairness
their advice. _____ _____ they be respected. _____
18. When another person insists on having his or her own way, I tend to...
Put my wishes aside for the Put up counter arguments Respect the person’s right
time being and go along and try to get the person to to follow his or her interests
with that person. change. as long as there is no
_____ _____ interference with mine. _____
19. When others openly criticize me, I am most apt to...
Want to pacify them and Become indignant and Become doubly cautious
cool their anger with me. challenge vigorously their and analyze each charge
_____ right to criticize. _____ in specific detail. _____
20. When someone has plainly abused my trust or confidence, I tend to...
Feel the person has done Get angry with the other Analyze what went wrong
more harm to himself or person and take steps to and how to avoid the same
herself than to me. _____ even the score. _____ situation in the future. _____

Column A Total _____ Column B Total _____ Column C Total _____

Page 2 Grand Total should equal 100 (A + B + C)

This program is sponsored by Texas 4-H, a program of Texas AgriLife Extension, The Texas A&M University System
Unit 1, Lesson 9
What’s Your Style?

The Lion, The Fox and the Saint Bernard

Score Sheet
Transfer the column totals from page 1 and page 2 of the survey to the correct boxes below. Add the
columns together again to get your total score for column A, column B and column C.

Column A – Page 1 Total Column B – Page 1 Total Column C – Page 1 Total

Column A – Page 2 Total Column B – Page 2 Total Column C – Page 2 Total

Column A – Grand Total Column B – Grand Total Column C – Grand Total

This program is sponsored by Texas 4-H, a program of Texas AgriLife Extension, The Texas A&M University System
Unit 1, Lesson 9
What’s Your Style?

The Lion, The Fox and the Saint Bernard

Summary Sheet
QUALITIES OF A LION (Column B)
Goal oriented
Assertive; bold and confident
Directing; likes to direct others toward the goal
Likes to be in control
Competition is important; likes to win
Dislikes gullibility and indecisiveness
Always thinking how to help themselves

Strengths Weaknesses
Ambitious Dictator
Competitive Arrogant
Self-controlled Combative
Forceful Ruthless

QUALITIES OF A FOX (Column C)

Resourceful
Thrives on feeling of self-reliance/independence; doesn’t like to be
on committees
Values planning and an orderly approach
Respects logic and wisdom
Dislikes emotion and drippiness; doesn’t notice needs of others

Strengths Weaknesses
Analytical Nit picky
Cautious Suspicious
Methodical Rigid
Fair Unfeeling

QUALITIES OF A SAINT BERNARD (Column A)

People oriented
Likes being genuinely helpful
Cares about others’ feelings and well being
Dislikes selfishness and anger

Strengths Weaknesses
Supportive/team oriented Submissive
Trusting Gullible
Adaptable Spineless
Optimistic Impractical

This program is sponsored by Texas 4-H, a program of Texas AgriLife Extension, The Texas A&M University System
Unit 1, Lesson 9
What’s Your Style?

CARE Leadership Styles – page 1

Rate each item in each column on a scale of 1 to 10 according to the way you perceive yourself having
that characteristic. 1 = weakest; 10 = strongest. Add your scores for each column.

Flexible: The ability to be Controlling: Leading, telling, Tenacious: Insistent, tireless, Thoughtful: Mindful of
versatile, easy-going, dominant, ruling, seeks to diligent, not letting go. others, altruistic, considerate,
not rigid. have and maintain unselfish, kind-hearted.
influence.
_____ _____ _____ _____
Youthful: Having a “young” Self-Confident: Having a bold Economical: Careful in the Modest: Not vain or boastful.
outlook on life, energetic, attitude, resolute, assured, use of money, goods or
optimistic. dauntless, positive. resources, frugal, thrifty.

_____ _____ _____ _____

Tactful: Diplomatic, polite, Persuasive: Having the Factual: Accurate, relies on Helpful: Being of service,
sensitive, mannerly, power to impress others data, not skewed by emotion showing interest in or concern
genial, obliging. as right and well-founded. or opinion. for welfare of others,
aiding.
_____ _____ _____ _____
Socially Skillful: Ability to get Competitive: Desirous of Thorough: Comprehensive, Responsive: Prone to react
in and out of social situations winning, seeks to best others, complete, detailed, exact. to, answer or respond to a
with ease. makes contest out need or request.
of situation.
_____ _____ _____ _____
Animated: Lively, high- Persistent: Refusing to give Detail Oriented: Paying Cooperative: Collaborative,
spirited, larger than life. up when faced with opposition careful attention to specifics. harmonious, working together
or difficulty. for a common result.

_____ _____ _____ _____

Experimental: Willing to try Quick To Act: Responds Practical: Functional, usable, Idealistic: Visionary, seeing
new things, not bound by rapidly, swift in deciding timely, down-to-earth, the world not as it is but as it
traditional ways and implementing serviceable. could be.
of thinking. ideas or plans,
_____ spontaneous. _____ _____ _____
Enthusiastic: Eager, spirited, Seeks Change: Wanting to Reserved: Restrained, self- Trusting: Believing,
dynamic, effervescent, “up.” restructure, improve or move controlling, formal, introvertive, accepting, unquestioning.
from the status quo. moderate.

_____ _____ _____ _____

Adaptable: Skillful at change, Forceful: Emphatic, powerful, Steadfast: Constant, Receptive: Open to ideas,
elastic, able to cope with potent, assertive, strong. uncompromising, unmovable impressions or suggestions.
transitional in beliefs, not changing or
situations. wavering.
_____ _____ _____ _____
Negotiating: Seeks Risk Taker: One who is open Methodical: Systematic, Loyal: Faithful, dutiful,
agreement, mediating, to change, willing to take a maintaining care and devoted, obedient.
interceding, one chance. orderliness, following
who steps in, a a set arrangement.
go-between. _____ _____ _____ _____
Inspiring: Stimulating, Urgency: Having a sense of Analytical: Having or showing Seeks Excellence:
exciting, able to immediacy, wanting results skill in thinking or reasoning, Continually looks and works
motivate in an quickly. logical and for quality, perfection
intrinsic way. calculating. and superior
_____ _____ _____ performance. _____

Column Total _____ Column Total _____ Column Total _____ Column Total _____

This program is sponsored by Texas 4-H, a program of Texas AgriLife Extension, The Texas A&M University System
Unit 1, Lesson 9
What’s Your Style?

CARE Leadership Styles – page 2

C=CONGENIALITY A=ACTION
The social folks of the group fall into this style. This style describes the initiators. They:
They: 4 Want to know what you want and when
4 Enjoy interaction you want it
4 Want to know how they can get others 4 Seize the opportunity
involved 4 Think if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing
4 Want everyone to feel good and have a right now
good time 4 Need a variety of duties and responsibili-
4 Want to fix it if you’re not having a good ties
time 4 Become bored quickly with committee
4 May go along with others to get along meetings, research and discussions
4 Enjoy harmony 4 Prefer to work alone – it’s faster
4 Dislike conflict 4 Think it’s better to beg forgiveness than to
ask for permission
4 May attempt to smooth over conflict by
being the diplomat 4 May act without thinking
4 Need public attention and applause 4 Need help staying focused

They are likely to: They are likely to:

◊ Demonstrate patience ◊ Get results
◊ Concentrate on the task ◊ Cause action
◊ Be loyal ◊ Accept challenges
◊ Be good listeners ◊ Make quick decisions
◊ Calm excited people ◊ Question the status quo
◊ Develop specialized skills ◊ Take authority
◊ Solve problems
They desire an environment that includes:
u Security They desire an environment that includes:
u Status quo unless there’s a reason for u Power and authority
change u Prestige, challenge
u Credit for work and sincere appreciation u Opportunity to accomplish
u Identity with a group u Direct answers
u Traditional procedures u Freedom from controls
u New, varied activities
To be more effective, they need:
H To be prepared for change To be more effective, they need:
H To have their self-worth validated H Difficult assignments
H Information on how their work contributes H To be told that they need people
to the whole H Occasional shock
H Guidelines for accomplishing tasks H To identify with a group
H To have creativity encouraged H To verbalize reasons for action
H To be told the rules
H To relax more

This program is sponsored by Texas 4-H, a program of Texas AgriLife Extension, The Texas A&M University System
Unit 1, Lesson 9
What’s Your Style?

CARE Leadership Styles – page 3

R=REASON E=EXCELLENCE
This style describes the analytical thinkers. They: This style includes the perfectionists. They:
4 Would rather think now and act later 4 Think if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing
4 Are good at analysis and critical thinking right
4 Want to know what the bylaws say 4 Want to know “Is this the best way to do
this?”
4 Value accuracy, organization and pre-
paredness 4 Want to make a difference
4 Are dependable and consistent 4 Are motivated by helping others
4 May experience analysis-paralysis 4 Need public attention and applause, but
will have difficulty admitting this
They are likely to:
4 Set goals and accomplish them
◊ Pay attention to key directives
4 Tend to be service-oriented and energetic
◊ Concentrate on details
4 Frequently are disappointed in others
◊ Be diplomatic
4 Tend to see the world as it should be in-
◊ Check for accuracy stead of as it is
◊ Use critical thinking 4 Often experience burnout
◊ Be critical of performances
They are likely to:
◊ Comply with authority
◊ Enjoy contacting people
They desire an environment that includes: ◊ Make a favorable impression
u Security assurances ◊ Seek a motivational environment
u Standard procedures ◊ Be enthusiastic
u Sheltered environment ◊ Want to help others
u Reassurance ◊ Participate in a group
u No sudden, abrupt changes
They desire an environment that includes:
u Being part of a work group
u Social recognition, recognition of ability
u Status quo unless assured of quality con-
u Freedom of expression
trol
u Motivation
To be more effective, they need:
u Freedom of control and detail
H Precision work u Favorable working conditions
H An opportunity for planning u Opportunity to verbalize proposals
H An exact job description
To be more effective, they need:
H Scheduled evaluations
H Control of time
H Respect for people’s worth and their work
H Participatory management
H To develop tolerance for conflict
H Realistic appraisal of others
H Priorities and deadlines
H Objective decision making

This program is sponsored by Texas 4-H, a program of Texas AgriLife Extension, The Texas A&M University System
Unit 1, Lesson 9
What’s Your Style?

The Color Personality Test – page 1

Find out what the colors say about your personality. Briefly study the colors below and then rank them
in order from the color you like most (1) to the color you like least (8).

Color Ranking (1 to 8)

Blue

Brown

Red

Black

Violet

Grey

Green

Yellow

This program is sponsored by Texas 4-H, a program of Texas AgriLife Extension, The Texas A&M University System
Unit 1, Lesson 9
What’s Your Style?

The Color Personality Test – page 2

RED Red represents passion and energy. Red in the first position means you are impulsive
and have a will to win. You are a good leader. You want to expand your horizons and
live life to the fullest. Red in the seventh or eighth position means your desire for life
and thirst for adventure have become less.

YELLOW Yellow represents happiness and relaxation. Anyone who chooses yellow in second,
third or fourth place is a positive, optimistic person who always looks to the future,
never backward. You find life easy and problems simply do not exist for you. Free
from worry, you lead a carefree life; but this does not mean that you are lazy. You can
be extremely hard-working, although not consistently. Yellow in first place means that
you are ambitious and eager to please. When yellow has a higher score, you have had
your hopes and dreams dashed and you feel isolated and disappointed, often becoming
defensive and withdrawn.

GREEN Green represents firmness and resistance to change. Green in first place means you are
persistent, possessive and quite selfish. You are a high achiever and an accumulator
of “things”—like a penthouse, a BMX, a Rolex, a compact-disc player. You want to be
recognized and need to impress but worry about the prospect of failure. If green is a
later choice, your ego has been bruised and you have been humbled by the resistance to
your progress. Consequently, you can be highly critical, sarcastic and stubborn.

VIOLET Violet is a mixture of red and blue and represents a conflict between impulsiveness and
calm sensitivity, dominance and submissiveness. The person who prefers violet wants
to find a mystical, magical relationship. Both mentally and physically immature, you
are stuck in a dream of wishful thinking and fantasy. Often violet appears in the latter
part of the sequence, where it indicates that the person choosing it is more mature, has
outgrown the “fantasy” vision of life, and knows how to confront harsh reality head-on.

BROWN Brown is the color of physical well-being and is an indicator of how healthy you think
you are. If you put brown in fourth or fifth place, you are not very concerned about
your health and body. This means you are probably in good shape. Those worried
about illness tend to put brown earlier in the sequence. If you choose brown as your
favorite color, you are restless and insecure. If brown is in eighth place, you don’t care
enough for your body and may not be as healthy as you think. Placing brown early also
indicates the importance of a secure environment: refugees often pick brown first.

This program is sponsored by Texas 4-H, a program of Texas AgriLife Extension, The Texas A&M University System
Unit 1, Lesson 9
What’s Your Style?

The Color Personality Test – page 3

GREY Grey is a neutral color and represents a point between two contrasting motivations.
Grey in the first position means that you want to shut yourself off from everything
and remain uncommitted, so that you can swing with opinion and emotions. You hate
joining anything with “group” connotations and are an observer rather than a doer.
Those who choose grey in the eighth position seek to join everything and are eager and
enthusiastic. Such people will try absolutely everything in their efforts to achieve their
goals.

BLUE Blue represents calmness and loyalty. A person who favors blue is sensitive and easily
hurt. You never panic. You are in total control of your life and happy with the way it
is going. You desire to lead an uncomplicated and worry-free life and are prepared to
sacrifice certain goals in order to achieve this. You need a stable relationship without
conflict. Perhaps, as a side effect of contentment, you tend to put on weight. The later
blue appears in the sequence, the more unsatisfied you are and the more you feel the
need to break from the ties that restrict you. But you probably aren’t unfeeling enough
to walk out on a family or job; instead, you will suffer in silence.

BLACK Black is the negation of color and means “No.” Anyone who chooses it in the first
position (which is rare) is in revolt against his or her fate. Chosen second, it means you
are prepared to give up everything else to achieve what you want. It is normally put in
seventh or eighth place, representing control of one’s destiny and a balanced outlook. If
yellow precedes black in the first two positions, then a change is on the way.

Source: http://www.personalityonline.com/tests/colour/

This program is sponsored by Texas 4-H, a program of Texas AgriLife Extension, The Texas A&M University System