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Although you are both givers, you may not recognize this about each other because of the different ways that you express it. Learn how to give and receive gifts in the other person’s style. You may not always notice that you are being given a gift when it’s not on your wavelength.

While you’re wonderfully efficient, your duo probably isn’t the source of crazy, new ideas. To a Crimson, Blue may seem bogged down by precision and rules. On the other hand, a Crimson may seem reckless and imprudent to a Blue. Although this might be frustrating, you certainly complement each other. Chances are that together you’ll be far more fruitful than you would be with any other color.

Orange, if you need an advocate or ally, try reaching out to a Crimson. Crimson will gladly take the spotlight at a meeting, while Orange may feel more comfortable talking one-on-one afterwards. Crimson, be aware of the Oranges in the room, and ask them to speak up, or pause before speaking to give others a chance. And Orange, if you have a great idea, try blurting it out before you can second guess yourself.

It may be hard to solicit ideas from a Green, particularly when there is a difference of opinion in the room. Chances are the Green would foremost like to see resolution, even if it comes at the expense of the product...and there may even be times that preservation of work relationships is the most important thing. Purples, with their non-threatening quirkiness, may be able to help Greens engage in contentious work, and see that creative tension can come with enormous benefits.

As a team, you both help with team cohesion and harmony. Oranges, you see the positive side to any personality. By sharing this with the team, you may help change negative attitudes. You are also unafraid of disagreement; you see it as a natural expression of personality difference. While you don’t enjoy unhealthy or overly aggressive conflict, you find healthy conflict to be positive and growth-oriented.

Purples and Oranges might not be the best duo to get things accomplished quickly and efficiently. Oranges promote team cohesion and morale, and Purples generate new ideas and solve problems. So you may find it helpful to bring a Blue or Crimson on the team to manage and drive outcomes.

Oranges, realize that a snarky joke is sometimes intended to be friendly when it is used to start rapport. A Grey will likely be overjoyed if you snark back. In reality, emotional closeness and cutting through the nonsense are both necessary for building close relationships. With this in mind, you may start to enjoy each other’s company.

You may know exactly what your fellow Grey colleague was trying to communicate when she made a sarcastic-but-actually positive comment about the team work lunch. And when the comments are less than positive, you know how to call them out and get them back on task. Recognize that they are caught in the same conundrum as you are, between the idiocy and necessity of being a team player...after all you weirdos have got to stick together.

A little-known fact about Greens is that under their very calm exteriors are some very strong opinions. And just because you are both Greens does not mean you have the same opinions on everything. While eruptions rarely occur, conflicts do not automatically resolve themselves. So don’t assume things are always great with each other. Keep checking in and keep support levels high.

Of course, one of you may know the work environment so well that you may enjoy taking the lead even if it is not your natural style. Regardless, given your mutual desire to make the world a better place every day, you are sure to find ways mesh together to get the job done

Together this may be a recipe for innovation. Purple on its own may never get past thinking and designing, but Crimson loves a new idea, takes it, and leads the charge. A word of caution: a team of only Crimson and Purple may do wise to bring on a pragmatist. You may benefit from a voice of practicality--someone to research, test, and plan.

A Blue may bring the detailed, orderly perfectionism needed to launch something fantastic. A Purple may bring an unexpected work-around to a tough problem, or a seemingly odd idea that with a Blue’s rational perspective may lead to a workable solution. Pause to solicit ideas from each other, and affirm each other’s strengths. Often the natural human instinct is to feel frustration when confronted with difference...seek to cultivate joy in the diversity between you.

Greens, try not to sacrifice honesty for the sake of cohesion; positive conflict equals growth. Lean into a healthy disagreement. Try allowing yourself to be swept up by Crimson’s ambition and vision. Crimsons, be aware when you are amping up your energy levels to compensate for the Greens around you. Be aware that Greens avoid conflict, and may reflexively voice agreement without true commitment, simply to keep the peace.

Greys may need to try less talk, more walk in terms of being the good they want to see. Greens should realize a well-placed critique can break the ice, with humor and without anxiety. Greys may be able to bring a Green into a new situation by showing them that risk can be mysterious, even beautiful. Greens, you may be able to help a Grey open up, by modeling peaceful honesty.

Although it doesn’t feel efficient, try engaging a Grey in a short caper before getting down to business; tell a story, say something intentionally mysterious just for fun. This will help you build rapport with a Grey. Greys, examine the motivations behind your behavior and ask yourself if there are better ways to accomplish your goals. Mystery is certainly an awesome hat to have in your closet, but hopefully you’re not using it just to annoy.

However, there is potential for seriously conflicting priorities. Blues may sometimes see Greens as not pulling their weight; Greens may see Blues as stressing out over every little thing. Both of you communicate nonverbally, and will be tempted to respond to the other’s behavior by intensifying your own; Greens becoming ever more flagrantly chill, and Blues ever more aggressively diligent. So communicate! Allow your differences to complement each other instead of exacerbate the problem.

However, although Greys and Purples tend to appreciate one another, there is always potential for conflict or misunderstanding. Greys may intentionally say something obtuse, and Purples have been known to wax poetic, especially when they have just discovered a new artist or author. Greys, remember that it takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there. Until you have risked as much as the Purple has, don’t dare speak to them in a way that’s going to make them hold back. Ease up on the brutal side of your brutal honesty.

Blues relate honesty closely to work ethic and clarity, where Greys see clearly the hypocrisies and contradictions in life, and feel the only honest response is to point them out. Blues want to get things done, and do the best with what they’ve got. Greys see a lot of gray. Greys, remember that Blues love organization and control: bolster them, congratulate them on their successes. Blues, remember that Greys may see ambiguity where you see clarity. Explain yourself conversationally, and be humble. A little bit of acknowledgement will go a long way toward getting a Grey on board.

Sometimes you may find that it is best to agree to have different areas where you can each explore your own ideas. But that is certainly not the typical outcome, and with some compromises and cooperation you can both apply your incredible abilities to work together for everyone’s advantage.

The key is to find the areas where you both excel and give each other recognition and support for your individual strengths. It may also take some volitional effort by both of you to make sure productivity doesn’t lose out to the desire to brainstorm. However, when you provide mutual support and both help each other stay focused on productivity, chances are you will be an exceptional pair of colleagues.

The sooner Crimsons recognize their common traits, the easier it is to build workarounds to make sure your similarities do not clash. Create separate areas where you can both shine, find ways to share the spotlight, or take turns being out in front. It will take considerable effort, but always strive to mesh your incredible drives and passions and find ways to pull together