Christmas is just around the corner!

The lights are getting warmer, the days are getting shorter – and although we often associate Christmas with harmony, we all know:
It’s not always peaceful under the Christmas tree.

Misunderstandings, different expectations, a rapid increase in stress – there is hardly any other time of year that shows us so clearly how differently we communicate.
And it is precisely these differences that accompany us not only in our private lives, but also in a business context.

At BusinessMind, communication is the basis of our work – in training, in meetings, in team processes. But before we can understand others, it helps immensely to understand ourselves.

One of the models that has provided orientation here for decades is the four color types of communication.

Where this model comes from – and why it works so well

This model is based on two psychologically influential sources:

1. the basic psychological functions of Carl Gustav Jung

At the beginning of the 20th century, Jung described how people perceive and process information differently.
He distinguished between four basic modes of functioning:Thinking | Feeling | Intuition | Sensation

And he also described the “energy” with which people approach the world: introverted or extraverted.
These two axes – functional mode and energy – still form the basis of many personality systems today.

What this leaves us with for communication:
People do not differ primarily in what they say, but how they say it, why they say it and what inner logic drives them.

2 William Moulton Marston and the DISC model

Marston – psychologist, researcher, inventor of the first lie detector concepts – developed the model that later became known as DISC in 1928.
He described four basic forms of human action tendencies:

• Dominance (D) – direct, fast, determined

• Influence (I) – enthusiastic, outgoing

• Steadiness (S) – stable, supportive, harmonious

• Conscientiousness (C) – analytical, precise, structured

These four tendencies were not a personality test, but a communication and behavioral model:
The aim was to understand what energy someone brings to a situation, what this energy needs – and where conflicts arise.

How it became the modern 4-color model

Over time, Marston’s DISC became a practical colour system that is used in many organizations today.
The colors were created because they are easier to understand than technical terms:

• Red → Dominance (Direct & Driven)

• Yellow → Influence (Creative & Expressive)

• Green → Steadiness (Calm & Supportive)

• Blue → Conscientiousness (Structured & Precise)

The four colors are easily recognizable, intuitive and immediately applicable in everyday life.
They do not describe personality in a deep sense, but rather communication preferences:

• How we speak

• How we listen

• How we make decisions

• How we get stressed

• How we interact with other roles

They thus combine the depth of Jung with the everyday practicality of Marston – and become a practical communication tool that helps both teams and individuals.

The four communication colors – a brief overview

🔴 Red – Direct & Driven

People with red energy express themselves clearly, quickly and in a results-oriented way.
They want to move forward, make decisions and clear paths.

Strengths: Focus, clarity, pace.
Challenge: Patience – especially when others need more time.

Christmas moment: “When are we going to eat? Let’s sort this out and get started!”

🟡 Yellow – Creative & Expressive

Yellow energy brings lightness, inspiration and social connection.
Yellow communicators are often those who tell stories, share ideas and lift spirits.

Strengths: Creativity, motivation, sociability.
Challenge: Maintaining structure – especially when the mood changes.

Christmas moment: “I have ten ideas on how we can make the evening more fun!”

🟢 Green – Calm & Supportive

Green energy provides warmth, stability and good cooperation.
They create security, listen and keep groups together.

Strengths: Empathy, patience, reliability.
Challenge: Addressing conflicts and setting boundaries.

Christmas moment: “Please don’t argue. Let’s discuss this in peace.”

🔵 Blue – Structured & Precise

Blue stands for logic, quality and order.
These people want things to be well thought out – clean, comprehensible, correct.

Strengths: Analysis, attention to detail, reliability.
Challenge: Flexibility, especially when plans are changed spontaneously.

Christmas moment: “We said 18:30 – it’s 18:42. Where is everyone?”

Why these color types help us – in business and private life

• They explain why conflicts arise even though everyone has good intentions.

• They make the needs behind behavior visible.

• They help us to reduce misunderstandings – especially in situations involving stress or close family.

• And they remind us of this:
  Not everyone communicates like we do. And that’s not a bad thing – it’s diversity.

Want to find out what color type you are?

We have created a short self-test that you can use to assess your communication style.
Ideal for the end of the year – and perhaps also a good conversation starter under the Christmas tree.

👉 Click here for the free self-check: