Best Book Summaries 📚 by StoryShots

Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson Book Summary & Review | Free Audiobook


Listen Later

📝 Show notes (Free Book Summary) / PDF & Infographic / 🎧 Free audiobook / Ever felt like banging your head against a wall after talking to someone? You explain things clearly, yet they still don't get it. Your boss cuts you off before you finish. Your partner seems to hear something completely different than what you said.


Thomas Erikson's book 'Surrounded by Idiots' introduces a revolutionary approach to understanding human communication by categorizing people into four personality types represented by colors: Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue. Each color represents distinct behavioral characteristics and communication styles that influence how individuals process information, make decisions, and interact with others. The core premise is that people are not intentionally difficult, but rather operate according to their natural behavioral preferences.



Read and grow with 300,000 bestselling books on your terms. Start a free trial of StoryShots: https://www.getstoryshots.com to get the extended ad-free audiobook, PDF, infographic, and animated version of this summary of Atlas Shrugged and more exclusive content.

Help us grow to create more amazing content for you! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the StoryShots podcast now. Suggest and vote up new books on the StoryShots app.


  • People have different communication and behavioral styles, which can lead to misunderstandings when not recognized and respected
  • Thomas Erikson's DISC behavioral model categorizes people into four personality types: Red (direct/results-oriented), Yellow (social/enthusiastic), Green (patient/relationship-focused), and Blue (analytical/detail-oriented)
  • Most people have a combination of personality types, with one or two dominant colors influencing their communication and decision-making approach
  • Understanding different personality types can help reduce workplace and personal relationship conflicts by promoting empathy and adaptability
  • Red personalities are goal-oriented leaders who value efficiency and quick decisions, but may come across as intimidating or insensitive
  • Yellow personalities are creative and social, bringing energy to interactions, but can struggle with follow-through and organization
  • Communication should be tailored to the recipient's personality type to improve understanding and effectiveness
  • The key to better relationships is moving from judgment to curiosity about why people behave differently

  • (00:00) Introduction to Surrounded by Idiots

    (00:25) Understanding Different Approaches

    (02:45) About Thomas Erikson

    (03:56) StoryShot #1: Perception and Behavioral Styles

    (06:19) StoryShot #2: The Four-Color System

    (10:12) StoryShot #3: Recognizing Red Behavior


    Related Book Summaries


    • How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
    • How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
    • The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
    • Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
    • Atomic Habits by James Clear
    • Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy
    • Deep Work by Cal Newport
    • Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
    • Six Thinking Hats by Edward De Bono


      Entities: Surrounded by Idiots, StoryShots, Thomas Erikson, Surrounded by Narcissists, Surrounded by Setbacks, Surrounded by Psychopaths, Surrounded by Bad Bosses, DISC system

      Topics: psychology, Relationships, personality, communication, Leadership

      Keywords: Communication, Personality, Behavioral Styles, Relationships, Leadership

      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      Best Book Summaries 📚 by StoryShotsBy StoryShots

      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7

      4.7

      10 ratings


      More shows like Best Book Summaries 📚 by StoryShots

      View all
      Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

      Hidden Brain

      43,595 Listeners

      Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

      Global News Podcast

      7,865 Listeners

      Generation Why: True Crime by Audible

      Generation Why: True Crime

      17,313 Listeners

      Economist Podcasts by The Economist

      Economist Podcasts

      4,215 Listeners

      The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds by All Things Comedy

      The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds

      18,369 Listeners

      The Mindset Mentor by Rob Dial

      The Mindset Mentor

      13,670 Listeners

      The a16z Show by Andreessen Horowitz

      The a16z Show

      1,099 Listeners

      The Daily by The New York Times

      The Daily

      113,460 Listeners

      The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by DOAC

      The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

      8,953 Listeners

      The Intelligence from The Economist by The Economist

      The Intelligence from The Economist

      2,561 Listeners

      All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg by All-In Podcast, LLC

      All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

      10,274 Listeners

      The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy by Dr. Mindy Pelz

      The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy

      1,413 Listeners

      A Bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek

      A Bit of Optimism

      2,199 Listeners

      The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

      The Mel Robbins Podcast

      21,379 Listeners

      The Primal Podcast by Rina Ahluwalia

      The Primal Podcast

      218 Listeners