Characteristics Red Value System
On this page, you will, step by step, find the most important characteristics of the Red value system. Please click on a subject to navigate to the text. The image on the right-hand side of this page is an example of an organization form, which is typical for Red.
What is the essence of the Red value system?
Core Values:
Egocentric, exploitative, impulsive.
Paradigm:
Power: “I determine”
Worldview:
The world is a jungle. Survival of the fittest.
Life Motto:
“I am taking charge without taking others into account.”
Life Theme:
Immediate gratification of impulses and senses and fight for my own interest.
Life Philosophy:
I only trust myself and what I want, I want now.
What is the origin of the Red value system?
Period:
10,000 years ago (copper processing)
Geographical location:
Near East
Founders:
Mesopotamians
In reaction to:
When the group’s security, certainty and safety are satisfied (the Purple themes), energies will be released. The individual discovers his own free will, his need for autonomy, liberates himself from the save (family) clan and bravely exercises his will on his environment. Purple coherence, safety and superstition do not offer enough space for personal contribution and autonomy. If you want to change things, you either have to do it outside of the clan or by dethroning the chieftain. Credibility of the Purple leaders is being undermined. And while you are dethroning one leader, why not also dethrone the leader of another nearby clan? Rivalry about habitats and possessions will be rewarded to the strongest. Anger emerges and power and gratification are now for the first time in history used for individual development, personal enrichment and liberation from a save environment are born.
What did human develop when the Red Value System was first activated?
“I-orientation”, personal willpower and courage
What are the characteristics of the historical development of Red?
Energy Sources:
Wood-fired ovens, slaves, horses and wind energy (sailing boats)
Highlights:
Extract metal from ore, heroic crusades, rise of commerce and (resistance) heroes
Lowlights:
Wars, revolutions, dictatorships, criminality, rape, violence, terrorism
Economics:
Extract and process metal ores, barter trade of scarce utensils and decorative objects
Religion:
Worshipping and make offerings to selfish and revengeful gods
Cultural Theme:
Glorification of absolute rulers and gods
Art Forms:
Egyptian, Hellenic, Roman and Etruscan art
Leaders:
Warlord, absolute ruler, dictator
Invention:
Weapons and decorative objects
Modernization:
Trade, warfare, extracting metal from ore
What are Red manifestations as the dominant value system in our society?
Community forms:
Clans led by warlords, dictatorships
Communities:
Myanmar, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Haiti, Liberia, Somalia
In the Netherlands:
Street kids, criminal gangs, feudal-oriented immigrants for the Dutch Antilles, Cape Verde Islands and the Moroccan Rif Mountains, trailer park residents
What are the general characteristics of the Red value system?
- Impulses and displays of power
- “I-orientation”, dominance, power & oppression
- Strives for self-preservation and respect
- Free from guilt or shame
- Fast & Impulsive
- Guts (Guts ‘n Glory)
- Loyal to those who are considered friends
- Decisive and energetic
- Enforcement by way of sanctions
- Passion “ We’re on a mission!’
- No-nonsense “ If you are not with us, you are against us.”
- Urgency: making your business or yourself important: “ Your playing small doesn’t serve the world!”
How do you recognize the presence of Red?
The energy and drive, which is produced, the assertiveness that is used and the capacity to take decisions easily and push them through can recognize Red. Red is action-orientated, and is not analytical and/or relational orientated. Red strives with an open visor and has as one goal: manifestation.
How do you recognize the absence of Red?
Lack of action, dependence, and no autonomy in the group, no decisions are taken, no boundaries are set, and slow progress is the norm. The group as a whole is responsible and accountable, but not the individual. Victim behavior is a theme and there is a lack of ownership. The atmosphere is mostly described as noncommittal, low in energy, boring and weak.
Who to deal with the Red value system?
Red wants to confront, demand respect and wants to be respected through actions. Red expects personal loyalty.
What are positive stimuli for Red?
Take action – Just do it. Immediate gratifications. Show respect. Give power. Unconditional support from the “in-group”. Movement. Expression of the individual responsibility as a life theme. Confront with respect. No avoiding difficulties or smooth things over. Show power and guts. Create enemies and an “in-group”.
What are negative stimuli for Red?
Disloyalty and lack of respect. Not taking responsibility for the consequences of your actions. Show weakness and express doubts about your own power. Show ‘outsider’ behavior. Deny established power structures. Make excuses.
Essentially, Red is not good or bad. Red exists. And we distinguish healthy and unhealthy manifestations of Red.
What are healthy manifestations of Red?
Assertive, movement, show courage, acts immediately on what needs to be done in the here and now and in a respectful way. Set clear boundaries and indicate urgency. Express one’s own opinion.
What are unhealthy manifestations of Red?
Over-simplified, impatient, harsh, blabbermouth. Too honest. Insistent. Impulsive, unreasonable. Have one’s own needs met or wants to be right at all costs. Dog eats dog. Only thinks of oneself.
Which prejudices may other value systems have about Red?
- Purple may experience Red as aimlessly destructing everything that has been built up only to boost their own prestige. Demanding respect is seen as egocentric, because real respect is about respecting the past, not about who you are.
- Blue may experience Red as a bull in a china shop without any idea about rules and structure. Red doesn’t live for a better system but only for him or herself. Blue experiences Red as irresponsible.
- Orange may experience Red as ad hoc, too fast, reacting too directly without thinking and without having a bigger plan, which would fit the irrational action. Orange experiences Red as stupid.
- Green experiences Red as dictator. Someone who is way too fast, over-simplified and a troublemaker.
- Yellow may experience Red as egocentric and can also be surprised about this. Yellow finds it hard to understand Red’s selfishness that doesn’t see the bigger picture and consequently Red doesn’t understand the nuances.
What are typical Red leadership characteristics?
- Dares to make decisions on his own and is independent.
- Acts autonomously, makes decisions and choices, and dares to be very direct.
- Urgency, sets and keeps the pace, executive power, alert.
- Accountable, confrontational, says how it it – also addresses issues that may decrease popularity.
- Shows power, does not only thinks but acts as well.
What are the appropriate interventions when dealing with individuals or groups in Red?
Teamwork
Show that we can count on each other, that we are standing strong, and that we will work through this together to win. We are not letting each other down.
Gaining trust
Show you can stand your man (M/F) that you have guts, that you dare to act and you are standing strong. Make sure you are WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get); sincere and no hidden agendas. Show that you are loyal and will choose for the other when it is really needed. “Say what you Think and Act as you Say.”.
Confronting
Make it very personal. Say what you need to say in a very direct way without detours and at a fast pace. Confront quickly and overwhelming.
When you find it difficult to relate positively to the Red value system, please read the proverbial phrases below to understand and experience the general accepted wisdom of Red.
- The first cut is the deepest
- It makes no sense to want everything and its opposite at the same time
- Fortune favors the bold
- Let’s make hay while the sun shines
- Everything is liquid under pressure
- What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
- Carpe diem!
- Put your money where your mouth is
- Desperate times require drastic measures
- To grasp the nettle
- To arrive at exactly the right answer
- You have to break an egg to make an omelet
- There’s no shine without friction
- No guts no glory
- Just do it!
- An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
