Surrounded by Idiots: The Four Types of Human Behavior and How to Effectively Communicate with Each in Business (and in Life)

by Thomas Erikson

People are not Excel spreadsheets. We can’t calculate everything.

“We see what we do, but we do not see why we do what we do. Thus, we assess and appraise each other through what we see that we do.”

In any other situation, it might be a good idea to understand how you are perceived and to learn how other people function.

The stronger your self-understanding is, the greater your probability of adapting to the people around you.

But a Red detests inactivity. Things must happen. Add to this a sense of constant urgency, and a great deal will get done.

Not many of us have ever been able to make these points to a Red before. It takes way too much energy. Some people say that Reds are just belligerent, arrogant, and egotistical. They are perceived as unyielding, impatient, aggressive, and controlling.

Reds are notorious rule breakers. Once again, I would like to remind you of their intentions—to get the job done.

Yellows are very good communicators. With an emphasis on “very.” None of the other colors come close to the Yellows’ ease in finding words, expressing themselves, and telling a story.

A Yellow behaves exactly like most people—he does what he’s good at. And he is good at talking. There are countless examples of Yellows who completely dominate a conversation.

How Green People Are Perceived So what do others—other colors—think about Greens? The picture is ambivalent.

A person who, out of fear of conflict, says yes but means no—how do you handle him? How do you know what he really thinks?

What do you do with a person who never changes his views? Ever? Not even when the facts indicate that it’s time to take a different path?

The difference between Greens and Blues is that while a Blue holds out for more facts about an issue, Greens expect everything to simply blow over, since they refuse to change their minds.

But a Green will just turn a deaf ear. He’ll do everything in his power to maintain that magical feeling that everyone is in agreement. It’s nicer when everyone agrees, isn’t it? Wouldn’t the world be so much better if there were no conflicts?

When Greens need to relieve the pressure of not speaking out, they talk behind your back. In small groups of two or three people, they will gladly vent their displeasure. And they’re good at it. As long as they think they can escape your gaze, they’ll backbite you in ways you would never expect from a Green.

Never place too many Blues in the same group. They’ll plan into the next century without ever putting a shovel to the ground.

Furthermore, many Blues are perceived as highly critical and almost suspicious.