• Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson is a book about how to understand, deal with and learn from difficult people in life.
• Erikson introduces readers to his concept of the “Four Temperaments” (Phlegmatic, Choleric, Sanguine and Melancholic) to provide insights into the motivations and behaviors of those around us.
• Additionally, the book outlines various strategies one can utilize when dealing with difficult people, such as active listening, empathy and the power of non-judgmental curiosity.
• As a UX designer, this book will be useful for understanding how personality types can be leveraged to collaborate more effectively and create designs that resonate with the target audience.
• Those interested in similar topics may find value in other books such as The Well-Tempered Clavier: A Framework for Understanding Conflicts, by Jim Berkley, and Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, by Daniel Goleman.
🎀 Highlights
chances are you’re not surrounded by idiots so much as by other personality types who simply have different attitudes, values and behavioral patterns than you do.
Dominant/Red, Inspiring/Yellow, Stable/Green and Analytical/Blue.
problem speaking their mind and often revolt against the traditional way of doing things. Famous Reds include Steve Jobs, Barack Obama
The first personality is known as the Red personality, and it’s the type Hippocrates referred to as choleric.
competitiveness and an often hot temper.
known to provide answers to unasked questions. Some might find the chattiness of Yellows annoying,
known to provide answers to unasked questions. Some might find the chattiness of Yellows annoying, but since their positivity can be downright contagious, they’re more often seen as entertaining and charming.
Greens don’t want to rock the boat, be in the spotlight, create conflict or otherwise cause a fuss. This makes Greens ideal team players, and you’ll often find them working in the public sector. Famous Greens include Michelle Obama, Jimmy Carter and Mahatma Gandhi.
the type Hippocrates called melancholic. Some might refer to Blues as pessimists, though Blues are more likely to call themselves realists. They also tend to be perfectionists who pay so much attention to the fine details that it sometimes slows down their work. While they are often analyzing a situation silently, they’re also known to keep their thoughts to themselves unless directly asked to speak up. For Blues, silence is a virtue, but it also means that when they do speak up, you can rest assured that their words will be well-thought-out. Some famous Blues include Bill Gates, Albert Einstein and the fictional character of Mr. Spock from Star Trek. So, now that you know all four types, it helps to picture them in a two-by-two square, with the top two, from left to right, being Blue and Red, and with Green positioned below Blue and Yellow below Red. Now, each side of this square
the type Hippocrates called melancholic. Some might refer to Blues as pessimists, though Blues are more likely to call themselves realists. They also tend to be perfectionists who pay so much attention to the fine
the type Hippocrates called melancholic. Some might refer to Blues as pessimists, though Blues are more likely to call themselves realists. They also tend to be perfectionists who pay so much attention to the fine details that it sometimes slows down their work.
For Blues, silence is a virtue, but it also means that when they do speak up, you can rest assured that their words will be well-thought-out.
Green and Yellow tend to focus on people and relationships.
Blue and Red tend to place importance on tasks and issues. On the bottom, Green and Yellow tend to focus on people and relationships.
right you have Red and Yellow, who tend to be extroverted and proactive.
rare that you’ll find Green/Red or Blue/Yellow. In fact, it’s wise not to pair up these conflicting
rare that you’ll find Green/Red or Blue/Yellow. In fact, it’s wise not to pair up these conflicting personalities unless you want to see sparks fly.
since Reds are ambitious and quick to express their opinions, they can be perceived as rude, impatient and aggressive – or even as tyrannical control freaks. However, when you confront Reds with accusations of being overbearing, they may not understand where the problem is. As Reds perceive it, there shouldn’t be anything wrong with stating one’s opinion.
Never mind that confrontation is a Green’s worst nightmare.
when people think they’re surrounded by idiots, what they’re really noticing is that they’re surrounded by personality types different from their own.
Yellows, they can often be perceived as overly talkative, bad listeners, superficial, careless and easily distracted – especially by Blues, who pride themselves on being the opposite of all those things.
Have you ever questioned why that one coworker is so quiet all the time? In fact, because he just keeps his head down and never speaks up, you may start to wonder if he’s hiding something. This
Have you ever questioned why that one coworker is so quiet all the time? In fact, because he just keeps his head down and never speaks up, you may start to wonder if he’s hiding something. This is a common perception about the quiet and conflict-averse nature of Greens.
there are more Greens in the world than any other personality type.
Remember, along with Yellows, they’re the personality type that values people and relationships more than tasks and issues.
The ideal for Greens would be to just weather the storm silently until things blow over, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care. So if you throw unexpected changes at a Green, you’ll likely meet with resistance – even if it’s silent or passive-aggressive resistance.
more accurate would be the perception that Blues have rich inner lives and just prefer to keep their own company.
A Blue is the kind of person who uses a calculator to double check the results of a formula on an Excel spreadsheet.
delivering feedback or constructive criticism can be difficult.
Reds don’t like pointless chitchat, so they’ll be more receptive if you don’t waste their time and get straight to the point.
Often, Reds can be stubborn or overly impulsive, so you may need to tell/advise them to be more grown-up or professional in their behavior.
Yellows are often disorganized, and messages tend to go in one ear and out the other,
If you want to impress a Blue, you’ll need to have your facts straight and be able to provide meticulous details.
As with Reds, it’s good to skip the small talk with Blues. They’ll respect you more when you get right to the point and can defend your position with cold, hard data.
Reds and Greens tend to chafe at one another’s personalities. Reds will find that Greens tend to complain too much about their workload, while Greens can see Reds as arrogant, overly aggressive and poor listeners. However, if it’s a matter of putting a leader together with a follower,
Reds and Greens tend to chafe at one another’s personalities. Reds will find that Greens tend to complain too much about their workload, while Greens can see Reds as arrogant, overly aggressive and poor listeners.
Greens like privacy and steady routines, since those things contribute to a sense of security, which Greens deeply appreciate.
If you want to get Greens stressed, just do things that take away that sense of security. This might involve making sudden and unexpected changes to the way they work, taking them off projects before they can finish, or making them redo work they have finished.
Like Greens, Blues enjoy privacy, and they don’t want to be put in a position in which they feel they’re guaranteed to make mistakes.
While a Blue/Yellow pairing can be difficult, adding a Green to the equation can often have a neutralizing effect and turn a tense situation into a productive one.
chances are you’re not surrounded by idiots so much as by other personality types who simply have different attitudes, values and behavioral patterns than you do.
Dominant/Red, Inspiring/Yellow, Stable/Green and Analytical/Blue.
problem speaking their mind and often revolt against the traditional way of doing things. Famous Reds include Steve Jobs, Barack Obama
The first personality is known as the Red personality, and it’s the type Hippocrates referred to as choleric.
competitiveness and an often hot temper.
known to provide answers to unasked questions. Some might find the chattiness of Yellows annoying,
known to provide answers to unasked questions. Some might find the chattiness of Yellows annoying, but since their positivity can be downright contagious, they’re more often seen as entertaining and charming.
Greens don’t want to rock the boat, be in the spotlight, create conflict or otherwise cause a fuss. This makes Greens ideal team players, and you’ll often find them working in the public sector. Famous Greens include Michelle Obama, Jimmy Carter and Mahatma Gandhi.
the type Hippocrates called melancholic. Some might refer to Blues as pessimists, though Blues are more likely to call themselves realists. They also tend to be perfectionists who pay so much attention to the fine details that it sometimes slows down their work. While they are often analyzing a situation silently, they’re also known to keep their thoughts to themselves unless directly asked to speak up. For Blues, silence is a virtue, but it also means that when they do speak up, you can rest assured that their words will be well-thought-out. Some famous Blues include Bill Gates, Albert Einstein and the fictional character of Mr. Spock from Star Trek. So, now that you know all four types, it helps to picture them in a two-by-two square, with the top two, from left to right, being Blue and Red, and with Green positioned below Blue and Yellow below Red. Now, each side of this square
the type Hippocrates called melancholic. Some might refer to Blues as pessimists, though Blues are more likely to call themselves realists. They also tend to be perfectionists who pay so much attention to the fine
the type Hippocrates called melancholic. Some might refer to Blues as pessimists, though Blues are more likely to call themselves realists. They also tend to be perfectionists who pay so much attention to the fine details that it sometimes slows down their work.
For Blues, silence is a virtue, but it also means that when they do speak up, you can rest assured that their words will be well-thought-out.
Green and Yellow tend to focus on people and relationships.
Blue and Red tend to place importance on tasks and issues. On the bottom, Green and Yellow tend to focus on people and relationships.
right you have Red and Yellow, who tend to be extroverted and proactive.
rare that you’ll find Green/Red or Blue/Yellow. In fact, it’s wise not to pair up these conflicting
rare that you’ll find Green/Red or Blue/Yellow. In fact, it’s wise not to pair up these conflicting personalities unless you want to see sparks fly.
since Reds are ambitious and quick to express their opinions, they can be perceived as rude, impatient and aggressive – or even as tyrannical control freaks. However, when you confront Reds with accusations of being overbearing, they may not understand where the problem is. As Reds perceive it, there shouldn’t be anything wrong with stating one’s opinion.
Never mind that confrontation is a Green’s worst nightmare.
when people think they’re surrounded by idiots, what they’re really noticing is that they’re surrounded by personality types different from their own.
Yellows, they can often be perceived as overly talkative, bad listeners, superficial, careless and easily distracted – especially by Blues, who pride themselves on being the opposite of all those things.
Have you ever questioned why that one coworker is so quiet all the time? In fact, because he just keeps his head down and never speaks up, you may start to wonder if he’s hiding something. This
Have you ever questioned why that one coworker is so quiet all the time? In fact, because he just keeps his head down and never speaks up, you may start to wonder if he’s hiding something. This is a common perception about the quiet and conflict-averse nature of Greens.
there are more Greens in the world than any other personality type.
Remember, along with Yellows, they’re the personality type that values people and relationships more than tasks and issues.
The ideal for Greens would be to just weather the storm silently until things blow over, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care. So if you throw unexpected changes at a Green, you’ll likely meet with resistance – even if it’s silent or passive-aggressive resistance.
more accurate would be the perception that Blues have rich inner lives and just prefer to keep their own company.
A Blue is the kind of person who uses a calculator to double check the results of a formula on an Excel spreadsheet.
delivering feedback or constructive criticism can be difficult.
Reds don’t like pointless chitchat, so they’ll be more receptive if you don’t waste their time and get straight to the point.
Often, Reds can be stubborn or overly impulsive, so you may need to tell/advise them to be more grown-up or professional in their behavior.
Yellows are often disorganized, and messages tend to go in one ear and out the other,
If you want to impress a Blue, you’ll need to have your facts straight and be able to provide meticulous details.
As with Reds, it’s good to skip the small talk with Blues. They’ll respect you more when you get right to the point and can defend your position with cold, hard data.
Reds and Greens tend to chafe at one another’s personalities. Reds will find that Greens tend to complain too much about their workload, while Greens can see Reds as arrogant, overly aggressive and poor listeners. However, if it’s a matter of putting a leader together with a follower,
Reds and Greens tend to chafe at one another’s personalities. Reds will find that Greens tend to complain too much about their workload, while Greens can see Reds as arrogant, overly aggressive and poor listeners.
Greens like privacy and steady routines, since those things contribute to a sense of security, which Greens deeply appreciate.
If you want to get Greens stressed, just do things that take away that sense of security. This might involve making sudden and unexpected changes to the way they work, taking them off projects before they can finish, or making them redo work they have finished.
Like Greens, Blues enjoy privacy, and they don’t want to be put in a position in which they feel they’re guaranteed to make mistakes.
While a Blue/Yellow pairing can be difficult, adding a Green to the equation can often have a neutralizing effect and turn a tense situation into a productive one.
