Contrary to its provocative title, “Surrounded by Idiots” by Thomas Erikson is an engaging and deep work that explores human communication and behavior using a simple and relatable model.
Written in a light ,narrative style it focuses on understanding different personality types and improving interactions with others.
Erikson categorizes people into four personality types, each represented by a color:
Red (Dominant): Direct, result-oriented, competitive, and decisive. Reds prefer efficiency and action.
Yellow (Inspirational): Enthusiastic, social, creative, and optimistic. Yellows value relationships and fun.
Green (Stable): Calm, empathetic, patient, and loyal. Greens prioritize harmony and avoid confrontation.
Blue (Analytical): Precise, logical, detail-oriented, and cautious. Blues thrive on facts and structure.
That said, there are those who operate with innate prejudice and search for evidence to suit their inflexible judgement.
And there are those who intelligently suspend judgment and operate with integrity, instinctual empathy, reference to context and facts.
A must read for communication professionals.