Carrying on with the theme of the usefulness of using the iMA questionnaire, created by James Knight, to assist both delegates and lead trainers during train the trainer programmes. This blog features the last of the categories, High Greens.
The characteristics of High Greens are:
- Serious / Persistent / Orderly
- Perfectionistic
- Seeks facts and data
- “Show me” attitude
- Structured and organized
- Asks detailed questions
- Wants to be right and therefore relies on data collection
- Good problem-solving skills
- Concentrates on detail
- Diplomatic with others
- Critical of performance, complies with authority
- Cautious actions and decisions
- Likes organization and structure
- Dislikes too much involvement
- Slow, cautious pace / Time disciplined
| How the trainer should respond to High Greens | ||
| High Green characteristics | Trainer action | |
| Emphasis | Compliance, working with existing circumstances to promote quality in products or service | Highlight the theory and where a model complies with specific frameworks to keep the attention of High Greens. Keep it factual and reduce anything pink and fluffy |
| Behaviour | Self-contained and non-assertive | In order to be encouraged to express their thoughts and contribute to programmes, High Greens may need to be coaxed more than other types. Their responses are often minimal however, usually they are high reflectors |
| Pace | Slow, steady, methodical | Ensure enough time to enable High Greens to work through exercises and that the process for group activity feedback is methodical. This will need to be balanced against the needs of High Reds and to a certain degree High Yellows, who like things to happen at a quicker pace. Consider carefully the grouping of different types and the volume of groups tasks allocated to each group |
| Priority | The task | High Greens like detail and naturally lean towards being extremely thorough and methodical when asked to complete an individual or group activity. Ensure that you have communicated clearly how much detail you require from exercises and the time allowed |
| Focus | The details, the process | As above. Communicate the process you expect delegates to use for any tasks. When communicating train the trainer learning, highlight processes which may be useful for delegates to use |
| Irritation | Surprises, unpredictability | Outline programme objectives and what is going to happen at the start of the programme. Reintroduce session objectives as the programme unfolds. Minimise surprises |
| For security | Relies on preparation | Provide opportunities for High Greens to prepare for exercises, maybe the evening before if appropriate. Expect to give them time to reflect on new information or theories before springing questions or assessments on them |
By Kasmin Cooney OBE | Righttrack’s Managing Director