Book Review- Surrounded by Idiots - Thomas Erikson

Wow, do not waste your time with this book!!

The first thing that drew me to read this book was the title, “Surrounded by Idiots: The Four Types of Human Behaviour (or, How to Understand Those Who Cannot Be Understood),” and a bit of colourful cover. At first, I thought that even if it didn't present anything new, at least it could end up being an enriching read. 

IT WAS NOT.

The book is laid on the traditional and one of the famous personality traits, the DISC Model (Dominance, Inducement, Submission, and Compliance), which has been colourfully used and termed into four “colourful” types of people personalities- Red, Yellow, Blue and Green.

Erikson rehashes the personalities into four temperament zones and tries to prove that human behaviour can be deciphered into the four types and, thus, accordingly they can be handled or rather managed by others at the workplace. Sadly, no room was given to human behaviour complexities and other variable factors like relationships, human idiocracies, attitudes, etc.

The RBGY colours present - Red ones who are ambitious, boisterous, and commanding; Blue ones are quiet, analytical, and precise; Green ones are calm, reliable, and considerate; and Yellow ones are social, creative, and optimistic;

This book is definitely a “NO” to anyone who has already read many books on personality types. It won't bring you anything new. To everybody else, give it a go. The read is super easy and has very lucid anecdotes. The best time pass I had while reading was matching the people in my life with the traits of the colour code deciphered in the book.

The quotes from the book that got my attention -

“It takes a strong mind to move things forward, someone who understands that risks are part of everyday life and that everything boils down to hard work from morning to night—”

“Dismiss personal jealousy and complaints. Learn to have tolerance and patience, both with yourself and with others.”

“Introverted” doesn’t mean silent; it means active in the inner world.”

“Only Dead Fish Go with the Flow”

“You are who you are, and there’s no point in wondering why. You’re fine no matter how you’re wired. No matter how you choose to behave, no matter how you are perceived, you are fine.”