"Surrounded by Idiots" by Thomas Erikson is an insightful guide to understanding human behavior through a unique and accessible approach. The book introduces four distinct personality types—Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue—that represent different communication and behavior styles. Reds are bold and decisive leaders; Yellows are social and enthusiastic; Greens are calm, empathetic team players; and Blues are analytical and detail-oriented. Through relatable examples, Erikson explains how identifying and adapting to these traits can improve relationships in every aspect of life—whether at work, with friends, or within family dynamics. Surrounded by Idiots empowers readers to embrace personality differences, enhance communication, and foster stronger connections. For anyone who’s ever felt misunderstood or struggled to relate to others, this book provides a straightforward, practical solution to bridging those gaps.
Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson is a practical and entertaining exploration of human personality types and communication styles. The book categorizes people into four color-coded personality types—Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue—each with unique strengths, weaknesses, and ways of interacting. Reds are direct, results-driven, and assertive; Yellows are sociable, spontaneous, and creative; Greens are patient, calm, and supportive; while Blues are analytical, detail-oriented, and structured. By understanding these personality types, readers can learn to adapt their communication approach to connect more effectively with others, reduce misunderstandings, and improve their relationships. Full of relatable anecdotes and actionable insights, Surrounded by Idiots offers a simple yet powerful framework for navigating the complexities of human interaction in both personal and professional settings.
"Surrounded by Idiots" by Thomas Erikson is a refreshing take on personality types and communication. Far from labeling people as difficult or 'idiots,' the book presents a fascinating framework using four colors (Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue) to describe a range of personality traits.
Harihar Pandey
I believe this book applies more to businesses than personal relationships. I learned a few things and categorized my family and friends into the colors I thought they were. Even if you understand how each color thinks and behaves, it's hard to apply in your personal life. It's good for someone in a leadership position.
Jehad Abu-Ulbeh
This is a very entertaining book about personalities. You can definitely name people you know or work with and categorize them as per the book. However, it is the blend of the different character traits that is the difficult bit to figure out. It's very rare anyone is a pure xyz. You can probably spot another trait in their character as a blend of two is quite normal.
Kevin H
This won’t tell you everything about a person but it will give you a good insight why people are the way that they are. It’s made me reflect on myself and helped me to develop a better understanding of everyone around me and how best to interact with them. For years I couldn’t understand why some people behaved how they do, now it’s so much clearer.
Trees
I just can't wrap my head around categorizing people into 4 categories. I think people are so much more complex than that. Otherwise, the concept is interesting for sure, and there are definitely some techniques and information that can be useful. Would've liked him to go deeper into people who are mixed colours.
C.Demi
I have so many takeaways from this book. We really could save a lot of trouble and arguments if we just understood how each one of us behaves. Great read! A red is the way they are because that’s who they are. They don’t intend to hurt people’s feelings, they’re just being the way they are - Red!
Sheng C
Thomas Erikson is a Swedish behavioural expert, bestselling author and active lecturer. For more
than 20
years, he has
travelled across Europe delivering lectures and seminars in Swedish and in English to executives and
managers in
companies including IKEA, Coca Cola, Microsoft, Volvo, and KIA Motors. Surrounded by Idiots (Omgiven
Av
Idioter) is a
Swedish runaway bestseller, selling more than 1 million copies in Sweden alone. It has sold over 3
million
copies
worldwide, since it was first published in 2014, and has been translated into 55 languages. For more
information about
the author and his work visit thomaserikson.com.
His mission is to make people’s lives easier by making them more aware of themselves and help people
to a
better
understanding of what it takes to achieve the best possible communication.
Through his writing, he provides readers with practical tools to understand different
personality
types, enhancing their
relationships both personally and professionally. Erikson's work has helped millions learn to
navigate human
interactions with greater ease and empathy.
Are you ready to unlock the secrets of effective communication? *Surrounded by Idiots* by
Thomas Erikson provides a
practical and engaging guide to understanding different personality types, helping you build stronger
relationships at
work, at home, and beyond. Join millions of readers worldwide who have discovered new insights into
human behavior with
this bestselling book.
Get your copy today and start improving yourself!
Dive deeper into the world of Surrounded by Idiots by exploring key insights, practical guides, and additional resources to enhance your understanding of personality types. From a reading guide and FAQ to author background and related resources, this section offers everything you need to apply the book’s lessons to your personal and professional life.
- Red: Assertive, result-oriented, and direct.
- Yellow: Sociable, creative, and enthusiastic.
- Green: Patient, calm, and supportive.
- Blue: Analytical, detail-oriented, and structured.
Other Publisher Data
- Title: Surrounded by Idiots
- Author: Thomas Erikson
- Publisher: St. Martin's Essentials
- Publication Date: July 30, 2019
- ISBN-10: 1250179947
- ISBN-13: 978-1250179944
- Language: English
- Pages: 304
- Format: Paperback
- Genre: Self-Help, Psychology, Communication