Applying Color Mindset to Leadership and Ethics

I conducted a Leadership and Ethics workshop at the Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, applying Color Mindset to a real historical example, the Cuban Missile Crisis. 

In under an hour, we simulated color-coded responses to the real existential threat that spanned thirteen days in 1962.

Our goal for the exercise was to simulate avoiding nuclear war by making a recommendation from the perspective of each of the seven colors’ natural behavioral defaults.

For example, generals delivered a red perspective with a credible threat of force. Lawyers brought a more blue perspective, ensuring the bounds of international law.

All seven colors were represented in the real life event, even if the concept of Color Mindset didn’t yet exist. if you're curious about your anchor color, take the Power Pairs Anchor Assessment.

Fixed Mindset is black and white thinking, which is beneficial in moments requiring adherence to established standards. Growth Mindset is gray thinking, which brings a level of comfort with ambiguity and is beneficial when learning is required. Color Mindset includes both black and white and gray thinking but goes further to ask what the moment itself demands, and how we can respond in one of seven color-coded ways, no matter our own default behavioral anchor. If you want to identify your own anchor color, the link to the Power Pairs Anchor Assessment is in the comments below. Power Pairs is a tool that brings Color Mindset to life. 

Pictured with Lieutenant Commander Anthony Boccia and Commander John Rashap, who invited me for the session.

By Rita J. King