The Azure Blue Person of Vision
The Azure Blue person points to the sky so that we might all see their Intentions or the Intentions of the organization in which they work. Rather than looking down at the ground to see only the present state, the Azure Blue invites us to look upward to envision the future. Rather than starting a fire to produce energy (and ideas), we are invited to look up at the sky to find the energy inherent in the force of an inspiring image. Toward what are we moving? That is the key question. We must find direction in the midst of challenging contemporary conditions: volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity, turbulence, and contradiction (VUCA-Plus) (Bergquist, 2026).
Vision requires that we find a consistent and compelling sense of mission and purpose. The extraverted Azure Blue person points in the direction of a compelling future. Or they point in the direction of the enemy—so that the troops they are commanding can determine where to move when leaving the foxhole. Furthermore, these are the extraverted Generals in front of the tent who inspire their troops—showing them why they have taken on this enemy and why their courage and commitment truly make a difference regarding the future of their family, organization, or society.
The introverted Azure Blue person also cares about the future and about defeating an enemy, if there is an enemy. However, they are likely to stay in the tent and craft the compelling image of the future or the compelling reasons to defeat the enemy “at their gate.” They are also the members of the group who are frequently, but quietly, asking the group or team: “Where are we going?” Even more often, the introverted Azure Blue focuses on the care and feeding of individuals. In a group or team, they are the ones who ask: “How are we all feeling?”
They are the “tender” team members who note that another member of the group hasn’t said much during the past hour or that the person sitting next to them seems to have a tear in their eyes: “Have we said something to hurt you?” We also find the introverted Azure Blues planning the birthday celebrations for other members of the team or noting that another member has just given birth to that baby girl or just celebrated their 10th year at this organization. These women (and sometimes men) don’t just advocate for a future of care and concern in their organization. They enact this care and concern every day.
Whether introverted or extraverted, the idealistic Azure Blue is someone who can envision rapidly how things could be and should be better. They are always looking up at the Blue Sky of Idealism. Within minutes of arriving at a new job, entering a new relationship, purchasing a new home or formulating a new program, the idealist is imagining and “seeing” how things could be improved. As an extravert, the Azure Blue lets other people know about his (or her) envisioned improvements. As an introverted Azure Blue, she (or he) keeps these envisioned improvements to themselves. The extraverted Azure Blue person challenges the mundane reasoning of the realist: new perspectives are needed regarding old problems if the activist is to be successful in generating proposals to solve these problems. For the introverted Azure Blue, there is also a challenging perspective; however, they are likely to keep this challenge to themselves unless invited to offer their opinion. Then the critique might be offered in a “tender” though clearly articulated manner.
