Key Themes:
Teamwork, Psychology, Human Behaviour, Communications
Summary:
Have you ever ended an argument because you were misunderstood or have you been confused by a colleague’s inability to see your point of view? If so, you’re not alone. Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson is a book that unravels the mysteries of human behaviour. Erikson is a communications expert, who has dedicated himself to understanding how people tick and why we struggle to connect with other people. This book assesses everyone we communicate with and outlines four different behaviour types – providing us with all the tools we need to understand and influence those around us.
Content Overview:
Erikson is a human behavioural specialist who has spent nearly 20-years providing leadership training to major companies to create better performing teams. He explains that there are four key behaviour types that define how we interact with and perceive the people around us. For simplicity of understanding, he categorises each of them with a colour (Red, Yellow, Green and Blue).
Understanding someone’s pattern of behaviour is essential to successful communication. Erikson outlines the four kinds of behaviour types—Reds who are dominant, focused and commanding, Yellows who are social, enthusiastic and optimistic, Greens who are laid back, introverted and friendly, and Blues who are analytical, methodical and precise. The book explains how to identify and interact with each type of person and get the best out of them. Instead of using technical descriptions, the simple four colour system allows you to quickly identify a friend or colleague’s profile and adjust how you speak to, brief and share with them.
Erikson recognises that certain colours work better together, but all colours are needed to create a fully functioning team. He also recognises that some people may be a mix of more than one colour profile.
Surrounded by Idiots is full of practical information for interacting with people based on their colour, including the strengths and weaknesses of all the profiles, how to give positive and negative feedback to each, and the best way to word an email when writing to someone with a different profile.
Rating: 9/10
Surrounded by Idiots is a fascinating book that simplifies human behaviour and helps you to understand, appreciate and communicate with people that are different to you.
Readability: 9/10
Erikson has an easy-to-read writing style and each section is split into each of the four behavioural styles so you can appreciate each colour profiles reaction to different stimuli. The book gives lots of ‘ah ha’ moments and a clear picture of other profiles but also yourself and your behaviour.
Does what it says on the tin: 9/10
Yes – it gives you a greater understanding of why people behave as they do. It’s a fun book, that will have you profiling both your personal and professional connections.
