Snapshots Announcements Spotlight UTSA Athletics

March 2014, Issue 3

True Colors
True Colors logo

Resurfacing True Colors in Commitment to Students

I recently asked my staff members to think of a commitment they can make each time they interact with students. My staff of 8 who have 8 different True Color spectrums quickly jotted down promises to students that reflected their individual strengths. Their responses included:

  • “Ensuring they receive accurate information”
  • "Making sure they feel like they have my full attention”
  • "Being efficient and making sure they know where to find information for themselves later”
  • "Giving the details of their account and foreshadowing for future issues”

In reading their commitment to students, their dominant colors screamed out:

  • Gold employees focused more on detail and policy
  • Orange employees saw each student as a challenge but took the creative route in teaching students
  • Green employees cared more about the student’s understanding of the information being given out
  • Blue employees focused more on the relationship and building rapport with the student, even if they couldn’t answer every question, they wanted to ensure that they could find the answer for their students.

After gathering everyone’s commitment to students, I displayed them in the office so each team member could see how strengths varied and how our students need each type of commitment to succeed. Try this activity to discover what motivates your staff in serving students while resurfacing the True Colors portion of the excellence model.

Elisa Perkins
Enrollment Services Coordinator
Financial Aid & Enrollment Services



Has your color spectrum changed over the years? How?

Describe those changes to your colleagues. Remember True Colors is a tool to understanding others and ourselves. It is a common language because we talk about it and use it to articulate our perspectives to each other. Keep it going.



True Colors Training

True Colors Training Schedule for STAFF (SD 410)

Any questions or comments? Please send us an email at VPSA@utsa.edu.