How to make friends with an Oranage personality type

Do you have friends that just stick out in a crowd? Their laughter, joviality, and excitement make them magnetically attract people. These friends always seem to be at the center of attention having fun. After a period of time, you may start to see these friends in a different light. The irreverent attitude and somewhat irresponsible nature which seemed novel at first, now begins to irritate you especially if you needed something from them on time. Their careless, free-flowing spontaneous nature captured your interest and imagination for possible wonderful adventures, but over time, these same traits could wear you out. The personality of the friend described above can be classified as an Orange in the True Colors personality assessment. This personality is one of four distinct types and represents over a third of the U.S. adult population. This article will give some hints on how to positively enhance your friendship with an Orange personality type.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Open mind

1. Accept personality diversity. Everyone has a unique personality but one that falls into a spectrum of four specific personality types. We generally express and process information in a dominant personality type but have aspects of the other three types rounding out our personality. With this knowledge, you will begin to see the paler aspects of your personality type in the brighter aspects of others' personalities. Bottom Line: accept that people are different and they don't have to act, think, or talk like you.

2. Find commonality. For example, Oranges crave stimulation from outside sources detected by the senses. Beautiful pictures, people, smells, food, and anything that gives them pleasure and feels good is highly sought after. When senses are stimulated, they become very excitable. If you are a blue, you become very enthusiastic about something that tickles your fancy within you like a passion for connecting with people. The difference between an Orange's excitement about something and a Blue's enthusiasm for the same thing is sometimes hard to detect and serves as a common bond between these two Color types.

3. Clarify what gives you joy, what you value, and what you need. For example, a Gold values working hard and getting the job done before playing. Let the Orange know your seriousness about getting the job done or completing an errand before you can play. In fact, invite the Orange to help you with the task to get it done faster so you both can play.

4. 
    
   Take a risk...Oranges will

   Ask what gives the Orange joy, what they value, and what they need. Sometimes we think that Oranges always love the spotlight but remember that they are a spectrum of the other three Colors too. By asking them these questions, you will pin point with greater accuracy areas where you can find greater commonality and improved communication. Be prepared for the conversation to bounce from one subject to the next because, well, their Orange. Once you have gathered the data points, you now have better points of connection improving your communication and your friendship.

Tips & Warnings

• Oranges can brighten your day, put a smile on your face, and help you find fun things to do making life much more pleasurable, spontaneous, and exciting.
• Oranges are more superficial friends and have problems maintaining long distance relationships. Since they value immediacy, the term out of place/out of mind applies to their relationships. However, once you meet up again, its like nothing has ever changed. The conversation, stories, and feelings for the other person come right back to the Orange.

Resources

• True Colors Personality Quiz

[MidniteWriter]

on 1/27/2008 Good to know, thanks for this!

[Wildscribe]

on 12/7/2007 Fun article! Thanks for sharing!