Surrounded by Idiots
by Thomas Erikson
Introduction
Have you ever walked away from a
conversation thinking, “Why is this person so difficult?” Or felt
frustrated because someone completely misunderstood your intentions despite
your best efforts? Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson
addresses these everyday communication struggles with clarity, humor, and
surprising insight.
First published in 2014, this book
became a global bestseller because it simplifies human behavior into an
easy-to-understand framework. Erikson introduces readers to the DISC
personality model, explaining why people behave the way they do and how
misunderstandings arise—not because others are stupid, but because they
communicate differently.
This review explores the book’s core
ideas, strengths, limitations, and real-world usefulness, while explaining why Surrounded
by Idiots is one of the most popular communication and psychology books
for professionals, couples, leaders, and everyday readers.
About
the Author – Thomas Erikson
Thomas Erikson is a Swedish
behavioral expert, leadership coach, and lecturer with over two decades of
experience in communication training. His professional background lies in
coaching leaders and teams across industries, which gives the book a practical
and grounded perspective.
Rather than approaching psychology
academically, Erikson focuses on real-life behavior patterns, making
complex concepts accessible to general readers. His conversational tone and
relatable examples are key reasons the book resonates with such a wide
audience.
The
Core Idea of Surrounded by Idiots
At its heart, Surrounded by
Idiots argues that communication problems arise from personality
differences, not intelligence or intent. Erikson introduces a color-based
personality system derived from the DISC model:
- Red – Dominant
- Yellow – Influential
- Green – Steady
- Blue – Conscientious
Each personality type has distinct
communication styles, emotional responses, strengths, and weaknesses. The book
explains how conflicts often occur when people fail to recognize these
differences and expect others to behave like themselves.
This simple framework allows readers
to identify their own personality type and better understand the
behavior of colleagues, friends, partners, and family members.
The
Four Personality Types Explained
Red
Personality – The Dominant Type
Reds are decisive, goal-oriented,
and assertive. They thrive on challenges and results and prefer direct
communication.
Key traits of Reds:
- Confident and competitive
- Action-focused
- Impatient with inefficiency
- Strong leadership qualities
However, Reds can appear aggressive,
controlling, or insensitive, especially to more emotionally driven
personalities. Erikson explains that Reds don’t intend to offend—they simply
prioritize outcomes over feelings.
Understanding Reds helps readers
learn how to communicate clearly, briefly, and confidently with them.
Yellow
Personality – The Influencer
Yellows are enthusiastic, social,
and expressive. They love ideas, creativity, and interaction with others.
Key traits of Yellows:
- Optimistic and energetic
- Talkative and persuasive
- Emotionally expressive
- Big-picture thinkers
On the downside, Yellows may
struggle with structure, consistency, and follow-through. They can be
perceived as scattered or unreliable.
The book suggests engaging Yellows
through enthusiasm, positivity, and personal connection rather than
rigid rules.
Green
Personality – The Steady Supporter
Greens value stability, harmony,
and relationships. They are dependable listeners and team players.
Key traits of Greens:
- Calm and patient
- Loyal and supportive
- Conflict-averse
- Consistent and reliable
While Greens are often the emotional
backbone of teams and families, they may resist change and struggle to assert
themselves. Erikson emphasizes the importance of gentle communication and
reassurance when dealing with Greens.
Blue
Personality – The Analytical Thinker
Blues are detail-oriented,
logical, and precise. They value accuracy, facts, and structure.
Key traits of Blues:
- Analytical and methodical
- High standards
- Data-driven decision-makers
- Organized and disciplined
Blues may appear cold, critical,
or overly cautious, but they are motivated by quality and correctness.
Erikson advises approaching Blues with facts, preparation, and patience.
Why
People Feel “Surrounded by Idiots”
One of the book’s strongest insights
is its explanation of why people often feel misunderstood. Erikson argues that we
judge others by our own communication style, assuming our way is the
“normal” one.
For example:
- A Red sees a Green as slow
- A Blue sees a Yellow as careless
- A Yellow sees a Blue as boring
These judgments create unnecessary
conflict. Surrounded by Idiots teaches readers to replace
frustration with understanding by recognizing personality differences instead
of labeling others negatively.
Practical
Applications of the Book
Workplace
Communication
The book is especially valuable in
professional settings. Managers, team leaders, and employees can use Erikson’s
model to:
- Improve teamwork
- Reduce conflict
- Increase productivity
- Adapt leadership styles
Understanding personality types
allows leaders to motivate employees more effectively instead of using a
one-size-fits-all approach.
Relationships
and Family Life
The insights from Surrounded
by Idiots also apply to romantic relationships and families. Many
relationship conflicts stem from different emotional needs and communication
styles.
For example:
- A Yellow partner may crave expression and excitement
- A Blue partner may value structure and clarity
Recognizing these differences helps
couples communicate with empathy rather than frustration.
Self-Awareness
and Personal Growth
Beyond understanding others, the
book encourages readers to reflect on their own behavior. Identifying your
dominant color helps you recognize:
- Your communication blind spots
- Emotional triggers
- Strengths and weaknesses
This self-awareness is key to personal
development and emotional intelligence.
Writing
Style and Tone
One reason Surrounded by
Idiots is so popular is its simple, engaging writing style.
Erikson avoids academic jargon and explains concepts using humor, anecdotes,
and relatable scenarios.
The tone is:
- Conversational
- Light-hearted
- Practical
- Non-judgmental
This makes the book accessible even
to readers with no background in psychology or self-help literature.
Strengths
of Surrounded by Idiots
1.
Easy-to-understand
framework
2.
Highly practical and relatable
3.
Improves communication quickly
4.
Useful for
work and personal life
5.
Engaging and
humorous writing
The color system is memorable,
making it easy for readers to apply concepts immediately.
Criticism
and Limitations
Despite its popularity, the book has
some limitations.
Oversimplification
Critics argue that reducing
personalities to four colors can be overly simplistic. Human behavior is
complex, and people rarely fit neatly into one category.
Risk
of Labeling
Some readers may misuse the model to
label or stereotype others instead of fostering understanding.
Erikson addresses this concern by
emphasizing that everyone is a mix of colors, with one dominant style
influencing behavior.
Read more The Power of Self-Discipline
Who
Should Read This Book?
Surrounded by Idiots is ideal for:
- Professionals and managers
- Team leaders and HR professionals
- Couples and families
- Anyone struggling with communication
- Readers interested in personality psychology and
self-improvement
It’s especially useful for those who
want practical tools rather than theory-heavy explanations.
Comparison
with Other Communication Books
Unlike dense psychology texts, this
book focuses on application over analysis. Compared to books like How
to Win Friends and Influence People or Emotional Intelligence,
Erikson’s approach is more visual and immediate.
The color-based system sets it
apart, making it easier to remember and use in daily interactions.
Why
This Book Became a Bestseller
The success of Surrounded by
Idiots lies in its ability to:
- Address a universal problem
- Offer a simple solution
- Deliver insights without sounding preachy
People don’t feel judged while
reading it. Instead, they feel relieved to discover that miscommunication is
normal and fixable.
Final
Verdict
Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas
Erikson is a powerful yet accessible guide
to understanding human behavior. While it simplifies personality theory, it does
so intentionally to make communication more effective and less frustrating.
The book doesn’t claim to explain
everything about human psychology, but it succeeds brilliantly at its main
goal: helping people understand why others act the way they do—and how to
communicate better because of it.
If you’ve ever felt misunderstood,
frustrated by others, or curious about improving relationships, this book is a
valuable and practical read.
Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
Best for: Communication improvement, workplace harmony, and
self-awareness
Not ideal for: Readers seeking deep academic psychology
