Here a Dot There a Dot...

(Photo credit: Altrendo Images/Thinkstock)

At its foundation, communication allows us to connect—to express our thoughts and feelings. As a child, I used dots to connect to my friends. We shared DOTS candy and played games like Connect 4, Twister and Eenie Eenie Aye Over (you know, "Send Timmy right over!"). Dots were also used to reveal a picture through dot-to-dot puzzles and actively communicate using Morse Code.

Another childhood memory of dots revolves around judgment and bias within communication. Max Lucado's book "Are You Special" comes to mind. In his book, the Wemmicks (small wooden people) "marked" each other with gold stars if they thought another pretty or talented or with grey dots if judged dull and needing paint. We make snap judgments about a person by how they look or sound when they speak. We allow these distractions to impede the flow of communication and damage our relationships.

But what if we could use a precognitive (before thought) communication technique to help be communicate with one another. The type of labeling I am referring to is intending to build up our connections instead of breaking them down.

Watch Amy Scott speak on the DOTS™ method developed by David Dickson and Chris Boon of New Zealand.



The DOTS
Purple dots (the visionary)—Purple dots are vocal. They want to know the WHAT.

Red dots (the thinker)—Red dots tend to be quiet and thoroughly think things through. They want to know the WHERE.

Yellow dots (the detailer)—Yellow dots turn words into detailed pictures. They want to know the WHEN.

Blue dots (the feeler)—Blue dots are peace makers and doers. They want to know the WHY.

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To find out the specifics about each color type, visit DOTSCommunication.com.

About the Author:
Pam McDonald is a writer/editor for BLM Wildland Fire Training and Workforce Development and member of the NWCG Leadership Subcommittee. The expressions are those of the author.