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Surrounded By Idiots by Thomas Erikson Book Summary & Review

Surrounded By Idiots by Thomas Erikson Book Summary & Review

Surrounded by Idiots book Thomas Erikson published in 2014. It aims to make psychology simple known as DISC method. The model identifies four kinds of behaviour that people exhibit including business, relationships and personal development. This model identifies four kinds of behaviour that people exhibit. Erikson has taken these principles and applied to daily life. He said that human behaviour can be categorized into four main types.

The four behavioural types are Red, Green, Yellow and Blue:

Surrounded By Idiots: The Four Types Of Human Behaviour (Or, How To Understand Those Who Cannot Be Understood)
  • Red: Dominant, assertive and task oriented. These are driven by results, and are tend to be stronger leaders, but they could come off as assertive.
  • Yellow: Influential, social and creative. They are enthusiastic, enjoy engaging with others, they wish to prioritize relationships over tasks.
  • Green: Stable, kind and patient. These people are empathetic, and are likely to work in stable environments, but can resist change.
  • Blue: These people are careful, analytical and logical. These are detail oriented, have value accuracy and consistency, but they can be seen as overly critical.

Applying the Types of Colours in Interacting with Others

Erikson elaborates on how understanding these types can lead to better interactions with others. For example, you can recognize the behavioural type of a friend, colleague and relative, according to his types.

Types of Behaviour linked to Communication Types

The author Erikson highlights the potential conflicts that can arise between different types. For instance, the task driven approach of Red could clash with the people focused approach of Yellow. Erikson highlights the importance of empathy and flexibility in communication. He also adds that one needs to adapt is not about manipulation, but about genuine understanding and respect.

Types of Human Behaviour According to Colour Coded Approach

The types of human behaviour has been explained by Erikson through a colour coded approach such as Red, Green, Blue and Yellow.

Red: This is an aggressive and dominant type; it can be also called as a go getter.

Characteristics of Red Personality Type

  • Decisive: This can be referred to as the dominant personality. Red personality is focused on achieving objectives. They often set ambitious targets, and are relentless in pursuing them. They make decisions quickly, and are confident in their choices, they dislike ambiguity and prefer clarity.
  • Impatient: Red people prefer things to be done quickly, and can impatient with delays and indecisiveness.
  • Competitive: They love to win, and love to take challenges head on, they often see situations in terms of winners, and losers. They push the baton for a challenge, and push others to do better.
  • Direct: They communicate in a blunt manner avoiding unnecessary details.

Yellow

Characteristics of Yellow Personality Type

  • Social: They are the prototype of a butterfly in terms of social interactions, they also take the role of a team motivator.
  • Creative: They are often full of ideas; they enjoy brainstorming sessions where they can be expressive.
  • Optimistic: They tend to see the positive side of things, and are enthusiastic about new opportunities.
  • Impulsive: They may act without thinking things through driven by excitement and enthusiasm.
  • Needs Recognition: They like to be praised, and recognized for their contributions.

Green: This personality is referred to as the steady type.

Characteristics of Green Personality Type

  • Patient: They are calm, patient acting as stabilizers in a group.
  • Supportive: They prioritize relationships, and often focused on helping, and supporting others.
  • Avoids Conflict: They prefer harmony, aggressive divisions
  • Resistant to Change: They value stability, in addition they may be hesitant to embrace sudden changes, or new directions.
  • Empathetic: They show deep understanding, and empathy towards others.

Blue: It can be referred to the conscientious type.

Characteristics of Blue Personality Type

  • Analytical: Blue personality type is keen on analyzing information, base their decisions on facts and logic.
  • Detail Oriented: Blue personality type is very detail oriented, and base their decisions on facts and logic.
  • Systematic: They are very organized, structured and would create elaborate plans and processes.

These categories explain human behaviours in a way that is actionable, and accessible, when we recognize these traits in others, we can tailor our communication to suit our needs, in addition most individuals exhibit a mixture of these characteristics.

Key Lessons from the Book

  • Effective Communication requires understanding and adaptation: One of the keys to effective communication is recognizing and understanding different behavioural types.
  • Embrace Diversity of Thought and Approach: Understand that each colour represent a different set of strengths, weaknesses will allow you to appreciate the diversity within a team, or relationship.
  • For instance, in a team setting Yellow personality type brings creativity and enthusiasm, Green offers empathy and support, while, Blue personality type contributes analytical precision.
  • Self- Awareness enhances personal growth, and relationships: It is how you identify dominant colours, you can become aware of your tendencies, and how they can affect others, it can help you moderate your approach improving personal, and professional relationships.
  • Avoidance of Stereotypes and embracing complexity: This book categorizes people into four behavioural types, no person fits into a single category and understanding complexity is essential for forming genuine connections.
Surrounded By Idiots by Thomas Erikson Book Summary & Review

Concluding, the system of colour codes is useful for understanding behavioural tendencies. People exhibit characteristics of multiple colours depending on situation, mood and other influencing factors.

Further, Surrounded by Idiots is an easy to follow guide to communication to navigate the complex world of relationships. In addition, if you want more self- help books in the UAE, then, login at bookswagon. ae and order now.

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