Surrounded by Idiots
The basic concept is simple: misunderstandings between individuals do not come about from intentional nastiness or incompetence, but from fundamental differences in how individuals process information and express themselves. Therefore, if you understand these differences, you can build better, more equitable relationships. Modelled on the DISC concept, used by many corporates for ‘personality testing’, Erikson categorises human behaviour into four types or colours, which are then broken down into what may be perceived through communication vs an intended result of communication.
In summary, Erikson breaks down the personalities as follows:
• RED: Dominant, aggressive, alpha personalities; resolute in achieving the end result regardless of collateral damage.
• YELLOW: Influential, creative, and sensitive; achieves results through persuasion.
• GREEN: Stable and committed; steady in their approach to achieve results.
• BLUE: Conscientious, analytical, and detail-focused; focused on the journey to achieve as much as the results.
Early in the book, Erikson states, “Communication is on the terms of the listener.” This is a pertinent point given that it contrasts with the more common assumption that a misunderstanding or lack of understanding between two people is commonly attributed to a fault by the listener. It underscores the responsibility of the speaker to ensure their message is understood and phrased appropriately for the person they are addressing. We do this naturally when speaking to children, but the author encourages a conscious, rather than subconscious, approach to communication appropriate to each personality type. For example, when communicating with a Blue personality, providing detailed information and logical reasoning is likely to be more effective than relying on enthusiastic anecdotes. Conversely, when interacting with a Yellow personality, fostering a positive and engaging atmosphere might be more conducive to productive conversation. Erikson also promotes active listening with the same approach.
Erikson encourages self-reflection, prompting readers to identify their own dominant colours and understand how their natural inclinations might be perceived by others. However, the real entertainment comes in the author’s humorous and anecdotal description of these personality types, recognising yourself and categorising those ‘idiots’ at work. In summary, it was an interesting read, and whilst not a ‘bible’ on how to communicate, given the rather simplistic approach of implementing the DISC model to categorise humans, it certainly offers an interesting perspective on how we might communicate better, or at the very least be more tolerant, when one feels ‘Surrounded by Idiots’.