Using True Colors® to Match Individual’s Personality Traits with the Appropriate Volunteer Role for Success

Abstract

Just as there are di!erent reasons that people volunteer in the community, each volunteer has speci"c values, di!erent needs to be ful"lled, and di!erent strengths to o!er to Extension programs. Understanding these characteristics and utilizing them in assigning the appropriate volunteer role will result in more success in their volunteer experience. Utilizing True Colors® when assigning volunteer roles and developing working groups and committees has proven e!ective in our county 4-H programs. Con#icts between volunteers who do not work well together have been lessened due to reassigning them to roles that best "t their personality types. INTRODUCTION In our county programs, we have found that it is important to understand and identify the values, needs, and strengths of volunteers to ensure success in their roles within Extension programs. It is important to intentionally select volunteers for the roles to which they are best suited (Penrod, 1991). Just as there are di!erent reasons that people volunteer, each volunteer has speci"c values they bring with them, di!erent needs they want met in order to be ful"lled as a volunteer, and di!erent strengths to o!er Extension programs. In a descriptive study of volunteers in Ohio, Schmiesing, Soder, & Russell (2005) found that altruistic values motivated individuals more than the other aspects of volunteerism did. When Extension professionals understand these characteristics and utilize them in assigning appropriate volunteer roles, individuals can be more successful in their volunteer experience. True Colors®, a personality assessment instrument, is used to categorize personalities into 4 quadrants that foster an environment of understanding and collaboration. $e assessment uses the colors orange, gold, green and blue to di!erentiate the four central primary personality types. Its methodology helps individuals to better understand themselves and how the di!erent personality types interact. Understanding this dynamic can be helpful, especially when the success of an organization depends on the e!ective communication between and collaboration among its employees and volunteers (True Colors®, 2020; Miscisin, 2001). PERSONALITY TRAITS AND APPROPRIATE VOLUNTEER ROLES An Extension professional versed in True Colors ® can provide personality-speci"c insights to their volunteers. In reliability and validity testing, True Colors® showed considerable merit in precisely assessing and de"ning psychological types and temperament theory (Whitchard, 2013). According to True Colors® every person is a unique mix of these personality (color) traits with varying degrees of dominance. Moreover, the following descriptions and techniques provide general suggestions when assigning the best role to volunteers when the dominant part of their personality has been identi"ed (True Colors, 2020; Miscisin, 2001.) BLUE VOLUNTEERS Individuals with a predominately “blue” personality value acceptance and belonging. $ey are people oriented, shy away from con#ict, and are usually guided by feelings and emotions. $ey enjoy motivating and encouraging others. $ese volunteers like working in groups and easily cooperate with others. $ey are adaptable and can "t many roles within Extension programs, speci"cally those responsible for coordinating large groups and working with youth. Blue volunteers may not be as successful in positions that require dealing with con#ict, such as an