When Green meets Yellow and both leave the meeting confused
This is an entertaining story. Have you thought about the quiet resistance vs. the cheerful bulldozer? It goes like this:
Some personality clashes indeed happen with shouting. Others happen in total silence. Let’s say you’ve got a Green person and a Yellow person in the same room. On paper? It should work pretty nicely.
Both want harmony. Neither likes conflict. They are both people oriented. They both like to stay friends. So far, so fine.
But … the way they go about it? Oh dear. Night and day.
Greens value stability, routines, and calm. They want to know what’s happening, when it’s happening, and who’s bringing the sandwiches. They hate changes. You know what you have but not what you gonna get. They say yes when they really mean no just to stay buddies.
Yellows? They want options. Energy. Momentum. Changes! Yes! New = good. Every Yellow knows this. They change topics mid-sentence, pitch five new ideas before lunch, and forget the agenda because it was so week 45.
Now what?
The Green quietly panics — but doesn’t say anything. That could cause a conflict. Not good.
The Yellow senses this weird energy, sure, but assumes the Green is just, well, shy. Nobody brings up the problem.
The Yellow keeps improvising. Going with gut feeling. The Green keeps overthinking. Preparing for the worst. Both smile politely. But inside? One is spiraling. The other is getting bored.
Quick tip
Yellows — breathe. Repeat yourself less. Pause. Let your Green colleague catch up and ask if they need clarity. Practice silence around a green person.
Greens — speak up. You don’t need a 12-page report. Just say: “Can we land this idea before moving on?” It helps more than you think. Practice speaking your actual mind.
A colourful moment
At a workshop, a Green HR rep told me about her Yellow boss:
“He’s so nice. And so exhausting. He books four meetings a day — and shows up late to every single one. Then he tells a story about his dog, suggests we all do a vision board, and leaves. And I sit there with a frown and no plan.”
I asked what she did.
She said: “I created fake calendar blocks labelled ‘Focus Time.’ He stopped booking over them. We’ve never spoken about it. But now I can actually get stuff done.”
That’s Green brilliance. Quiet. Strategic. Invisible.
And exactly what that office needed.
See you next Wednesday.
//Thomas
The red profile
The dominant
Read more about Red personsThe yellow profile
The influential
Read more about Yellow personsThe green profile
The stable one
Read more about Green personsThe blue profile
The compliant
Read more about Blue personsThe real communication crisis is already here
December 24th, 2025
Don’t talk to people like you’re writing a policy update
February 4th, 2026
You left me on read – and that’s communication too
December 17th, 2025
“I edited your slides …”
July 9th, 2025
The Surrounded by Idiots Brief
Every Wednesday, the latest issue is sent to you. Each message includes an aha-moment and possibly an oh no-moment about human interaction, and one example of behaviour for you to reflect upon.
No spam. No fluff. Just the highest quality input about how to better get along with everyone.
