The primary challenge for those with an introverted Verdant Green orientation occurs when they are asked to be less “sensitive” and more concerned with the bottom line (a concern often voiced by a Ruby Red). The extraverted Verdant Green is challenged when they are “caught” with voicing too many options. While the introverted Verdant Green holds the same number of options, they have the “good sense” of keeping them to themselves. WB offers the following observation:
“Having perused Rollo May’s library and having read many of his books, I find that his vast, diverse knowledge is not on full display in his books. Rather, he only hints at this diversity, relying primarily, in his writings, on the disciplines of psychology, philosophy, and history. Much like Sigmund Freud, who I suspect was also an introverted Verdant Green, May could offer remarkable insights that crossed disciplinary and cultural boundaries because of this much broader and deeper reservoir of knowledge that wasn’t on public display.”
There is an interesting and perhaps important final observation to make about both the extraverted and introverted Verdant Green. They want to remain open to new ideas and don’t want anyone to close off any options simply because it is time to move forward (Ruby Red) or because this option is less realistic than the other options (Golden Yellow). The primary threat in the life of a Verdant Green is associated with the fear of losing their freedom (Enneagram: Five). They worry that the options are closing for them. The nightmare is that they will be forced to accept a tunnel vision of the world (the preference of an extreme Ruby Red). In some cases, a Verdant Green hides away (introversion), so that no one can dictate what they can and cannot do. In other cases, Verdant Greens push back against the intrusion (extraversion). The extraverted Verdant Greens often join hands with their extraverted Royal Purple colleagues in offering an articulate and forceful voice for freedom and autonomy.
Royal Purple: Equitable Compassion and Visioning in Action
Royal Purple is a blend of Azure Blue and Ruby Red. For those with an extraverted Royal Purple preference, the world is one in which an active pathway must be forged toward social justice. The introverted Royal Purple might be less inclined to choose an active pathway; however, they are often highly inclined to write about social justice, help to formulate public policy related to social justice, help to heal the wounds of injustice inflicted on individuals, or, at least, show up at demonstrations. Equitable Royal Purple is about advocacy—where of the extraverted active engagement kind, or the more reserved introverted kind.
