Regardless of the place they reside on the spectrum between Azure Blue and Golden Yellow, the Verdant Green leader wants to be helpful. They would like to know how best to deliver this assistance—which leads them toward thoughtful interpersonal relationships. They wish to be open-minded regarding alternative perspectives and authentic in their relationships with other physicians (and other members of the healthcare community. They are gratified when gaining insight into the complexity of human relationship and the human development process. Verdant Green leaders are often quietly observant about the people with whom they interact and are careful in the way they care for other people.
The primary challenge for those with a 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 primary threat in their life 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).
Royal Purple: Equitable Compassion and Visioning in Action
Royal Purple is a blending of Azure Blue and Ruby Red. For those with a Royal Purple orientation the world is one in which a pathway must be forged toward social justice. Referring to a comment made by Cecil B. DeMille (the Hollywood producer of epic films), one of McKenna and Pugno’s (2006, p. 134) leaders provided the focus to be found among the Royal Purple leaders in health care:
“In Dr. Stephen Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Cecil B. DeMille observed that ‘It is impossible for us to break the law. We can only break ourselves against the law.’ Of course he is referring to laws or basic principles of personal character that have governed social behavior forever. Covey goes on to mention basic characteristics such as fairness, integrity, honesty, human dignity. Certainly leaders of the health insurance companies of the early twenty-first century seem to be losing sight of these basic principles as they strive to increase their short-term ‘bottom line’ quarter aft quarter. Their behaviors may be interpreted as driven by ‘greed” in some quarters. I think we (physicians) must work hard to remain aware of these powerful, enduring principles as we negotiate with powerful partners in the healthcare arena.” [John M. Pascoe, Pediatrician, Professor and Chair, Wright State University]
As Dr. Pascoe has noted, the Royal Purple leader believes that they are needed in the current health care industry because of this pervasive “greed” and the powerful forces operating on behalf of this greed. As a counterweight to this greed, the Equitable Royal Purple serves as an advocate for the underserved and for the welfare of all patients (McKenna and Pugno, 2006, p. 223):
“For me, physician leadership is all about serving as an advocate for patients – helping my patients access quality healthcare. As a practicing physician, I found myself in a position of responsibility, and I realized my patients were looking to me for help in more ways than just treating their medical problems. Many patients don’t know how to navigate the health care system. They need someone to assist them—to be their advocate.” [Alma Littles, MD, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health, Florida State University]
