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Surrounded by Idiots: The Four Types of Human Behavior and How to Effectively Communicate with Each in Business (and in Life) (The Surrounded by Idiots Series) Hardcover – July 30, 2019
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Do you ever think you’re the only one making any sense? Or tried to reason with your partner with disastrous results? Do long, rambling answers drive you crazy? Or does your colleague’s abrasive manner rub you the wrong way?
You are not alone. After a disastrous meeting with a highly successful entrepreneur, who was genuinely convinced he was ‘surrounded by idiots’, communication expert and bestselling author, Thomas Erikson dedicated himself to understanding how people function and why we often struggle to connect with certain types of people.
Surrounded by Idiots is an international phenomenon, selling over 1.5 million copies worldwide. It offers a simple, yet ground-breaking method for assessing the personalities of people we communicate with – in and out of the office – based on four personality types (Red, Blue, Green and Yellow), and provides insights into how we can adjust the way we speak and share information.
Erikson will help you understand yourself better, hone communication and social skills, handle conflict with confidence, improve dynamics with your boss and team, and get the best out of the people you deal with and manage. He also shares simple tricks on body language, improving written communication, advice on when to back away or when to push on, and when to speak up or shut up. Packed with ‘aha!’ and ‘oh no!’ moments, Surrounded by Idiots will help you understand and communicate with those around you, even people you currently think are beyond all comprehension.
And with a bit of luck you can also be confident that the idiot out there isn’t you!
- Print length304 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSt. Martin's Essentials
- Publication dateJuly 30, 2019
- Dimensions6.45 x 1 x 9.5 inches
- ISBN-101250179947
- ISBN-13978-1250179944
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A useful guide to communicating with the uncommunicable ... clearly, dynamically presented and easy to grasp."―Publisher's Weekly
"Readers will be delighted. Most everyone can benefit from this book, especially those in the workplace. In addition, parents, educators, and students will find these insights valuable."―Booklist, Starred Review
About the Author
Thomas Erikson is a Swedish behavioral expert, active lecturer, and bestselling author. For more than twenty years he has been traveling all over Europe delivering lectures and seminars to executives and managers at a wide range of companies, including IKEA, Coca Cola, Microsoft, and Volvo.
Surrounded by Idiots has been a Swedish runaway bestseller since it was first published in 2014. It has sold over 3 million copies worldwide and been translated into 42 languages.
Product details
- Publisher : St. Martin's Essentials
- Publication date : July 30, 2019
- Language : English
- Print length : 304 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1250179947
- ISBN-13 : 978-1250179944
- Item Weight : 1.05 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.45 x 1 x 9.5 inches
- Part of series : Surrounded by Idiots
- Best Sellers Rank: #6,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Thomas Erikson is a motivator, author and public speaker. His book Surrounded by Idiots is one of the world’s best-selling non-fiction books and has been translated into over 40 languages.
https://www.surroundedbyidiots.com/en/
His way of sharing his knowledge with his readers is by using specific storytelling and lots of humor. To achieve new skills should be easy. Therefore, he do not write in a way that is packed with numbers and details, but rather in a way that will make the reader say: Ah! I recognize that!
Thomas has devoted close to 30 years of his career to helping people communicate with each other, and along the way he´s developed practical and functional tools that facilitate both professional and private life.
Thomas believes in the importance of a higher understanding of others, in order to decrease the number of unnecessary misunderstandings and conflicts either in a relationship or at work.
Besides his book he also offer knowledge and understanding of human behaviour by his online courses, and his app Surrounded by idiots. Available both at Appstore and Playstore.
https://www.surroundedbyidiots.com/en/
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book helpful in understanding self and others, with one noting it serves as a good guide to human interaction. Moreover, the content receives positive feedback, with one customer highlighting its practical value for leadership teams. Additionally, the book breaks down personality types effectively, and customers appreciate its fun, humorous approach. The writing style receives mixed reactions - while many find it well-written and easy to read, some find it repetitive. The color system simplifies personality types, making them easier to remember, and the book serves as an excellent conversation starter. However, the pacing receives negative feedback, with one customer describing it as difficult to figure out.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book insightful, helping them understand themselves and others, with one customer noting it serves as a good guide to human interaction.
"...This book will also open your eyes to who you are and how you might work… don’t assume this is another personality test gimmick this book really..." Read more
"...Author gets a bit repetitive, but it is a helpful tool in understanding self and others." Read more
"...I saw how these ideas and practices are even better for my personal relationships. The writing is fun and informative...." Read more
"Of course this is all an opinion, I thought the book had great insight and good information about different types of people...." Read more
Customers find the book to be an amazing and enjoyable read with great content throughout, with one customer noting it's particularly suitable for leadership teams.
"Title is misleading but the book is great! This book is for anyone struggling with teams that are full of different personalities and working styles...." Read more
"Love it. Good read. I'm a couple chapters in. Book came nice through mail also." Read more
"EXCELLENT read!!!..." Read more
"...Especially if you work with different groups of people, it will be a good read." Read more
Customers appreciate how the book breaks down personality types, with one customer noting it provides real-life examples of coworkers.
"...opinion, I thought the book had great insight and good information about different types of people...." Read more
"...Erikson touches on many character traits, in work and social situations, of all four colors and how they communicate with the other colors – hence..." Read more
"...both insightful and entertaining, and it really helps you understand the different personality types around you...." Read more
"...enhance their emotional intelligence, and better navigate the colorful spectrum of human personalities." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's humor, finding it a fun read with a twist of humor and entertaining to people watch, with one customer particularly appreciating the quiz at the end.
"Lowkey obsessed. It’s funny, messy, and hits deep. Made me laugh, cry, and rethink everything—all in one go...." Read more
"...The book is both insightful and entertaining, and it really helps you understand the different personality types around you...." Read more
"...Erikson's writing is accessible and engaging, making complex psychological concepts easy to grasp...." Read more
"A fun read with a twist of humor regarding the DISC behavior styles...." Read more
Customers appreciate the communication style of the book, noting it serves as an excellent conversation starter and helps readers understand how to read people.
"...Greens are agreeable and easygoing and make excellent listeners, do not change well...." Read more
"...It’s a brilliant, eye-opening look at human behavior and communication styles...." Read more
"...I found myself analyzing my own communication styles, methods and soliciting feedback from my team as a result...." Read more
"...Highly recommend this book! Great, easy read, and excellent conversation starter!" Read more
Customers appreciate the color descriptions in the book, finding them simple and easy to remember, with one customer specifically noting how the color system helps break down personality types.
"...I felt I was really able to grasp the concept and how the color types could be useful...." Read more
"...The guy behind it, Thomas Erikson, uses this color system to break down personality types: Red for those bossy types who take charge, Yellow for the..." Read more
"...people as difficult or 'idiots,' the book presents a fascinating framework using four colors (Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue) to describe a range of..." Read more
"...The author does a great job describing each personality type and color in depth. A must read!" Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some finding it well-written and easy to read, while others note it is too repetitive.
"...The writing is fun and informative. Quick read that left me with a better understanding of both myself and those around me...." Read more
"...Interesting read based on other psychological research. Author gets a bit repetitive, but it is a helpful tool in understanding self and others." Read more
"...The book offers clear, actionable advice on how to adapt our communication strategies according to different personality types...." Read more
"...book give you the details you need to understand how others think- well written -great examples- not too long but also gives depth to the topic...." Read more
Customers find the pacing of the book difficult to follow.
"...is the blend of the different character traits that is the difficult bit to figure out. It's very rare anyone is a pure xyz...." Read more
"...My only hesitation is that it’s too easy to make assumptions and stereotype based on only this aspect of personality. “Oh, he’s just a yellow.”..." Read more
"...a good case for working with different types of people, but it’s a bit obvious...." Read more
"...Only he/him pronouns. A laughable book yet also predictable. Would be sad to see this used in any realistic or meaningful way to "improve" work life...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseTitle is misleading but the book is great! This book is for anyone struggling with teams that are full of different personalities and working styles. It might not fix the team but it will help you understand why people work the way they do and how you can work with them. This book will also open your eyes to who you are and how you might work… don’t assume this is another personality test gimmick this book really offers sound advice on who you are and how people read you and how to read others.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseLove it. Good read. I'm a couple chapters in. Book came nice through mail also.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2025Format: Audible AudiobookVerified PurchaseRead this for book club. Interesting read based on other psychological research. Author gets a bit repetitive, but it is a helpful tool in understanding self and others.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseEXCELLENT read!!! I bought this to help with professional interactions, but almost immediately I saw how these ideas and practices are even better for my personal relationships.
The writing is fun and informative. Quick read that left me with a better understanding of both myself and those around me. I'd recommend this to ANYONE!
- Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseOf course this is all an opinion, I thought the book had great insight and good information about different types of people. The only way I’m going to look at people from now on in color. That being said my particular reading style found it difficult to get through the stories that were told from personal experiences. All that to say, the information was very insightful and I would recommend this book. Especially if you work with different groups of people, it will be a good read.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2022Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis book describes four behavior types by sorting them into colors: red, blue, green and yellow. People that are sorted into these behavior types typically exhibit the same characteristics. For example, the book claims that green individuals are typically laid back and sometimes struggle to make decisions. Since teachers need to be able to understand and manage behavior, this book can be a foundation for how we interpret different social situations with students. While Erikson does point out that we should not use this classification method on children, it does give us some background knowledge on students and what drives behavior (e.g. environment).
There are many aspects of the book that I enjoyed. The book begins with a description of how and why he and his father began classifying behavior in this way. They used what is called the DISC method to establish these four behavior types. He explains that most people are a combination of two or three behavior types; very few people are just one type. Erikson describes the basis of behavior – what causes us to behave in the way that we do. He then moves on to provide an overview of the system, listing characteristics of each color in a diagram provided on page thirteen. After this introduction, he dives into how we can recognize each behavior type, how each behavior type deals with stress, which behavior types are best suited to work together, how to give feedback to each behavior type and so on. In chapter nineteen, Erikson provides examples of how people who have been sorted into the different behavior types react to different questions about their behavior and the book. Each of these people who were interviewed have read the book and are able to explain how they feel about the portrayal of individuals who belong to the group they do – most of them seem almost annoyed. For example, Hakan seems annoyed that the interviewer points out what he says is contradictory. The book ends with an interactive quiz, which is perhaps one of my favorite parts. It allows the reader to self-assess and determine what they took from this book and how they (now) understand the different behavior types.
While there are not many things that I would change about the book, there are some pieces that could help provide some clarity for the reader. I loved how each behavior was talked about in detail; however, there were some parts where I really had to stop and think about what behavior was being talked about and reflect on what was said about that “color” chapters beforehand. This was likely due to the fact that it would spend the course of four chapters talking about each behavior type individually in relation to one concept or situation. It may have been better for the author to adjust this so that each situation was talked about for a single behavior type. For example, perhaps chapters four through nine could have talked about just green behavior, describing the different situations, scenarios and ideas that are discussed for that behavior throughout the book. This was not a huge issue since there were a variety of visuals, but it may be difficult for some readers who lack reading comprehension skills or have problems organizing information in their minds.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson, but it turned out to be one of the most insightful books I’ve read on human behavior. The way Erikson breaks down personalities into four color-coded types helped me see my own interactions in a whole new light.
What I loved most was how practical the book is. It made me reflect on my own communication style and why I sometimes clash with certain people. Instead of just feeling frustrated, I now have a better understanding of why people react the way they do—and how I can adapt my approach to connect more effectively.
That said, some parts felt a bit simplified, and I don’t think people fit neatly into just one category. But as a tool for better relationships, whether in work, family, or friendships, it’s incredibly valuable. I’ve already started applying what I’ve learned, and I can see a difference!
Top reviews from other countries
- Paketleme güzel, teslimat hızlı.Reviewed in Turkey on September 9, 2024
4.0 out of 5 stars very good
its good for understanding
- MarielReviewed in Japan on January 12, 2025
4.0 out of 5 stars Deliver
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseFast delivery , love it
Thank you
-
Mareme NdiayeReviewed in France on May 14, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Très bon livre
C'était pour ma soeur et elle a bien aimé le livre, je vais bientôt le lire aussi ^^
- SepReviewed in Canada on March 21, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Finished this book in 2 days 💯
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI’m not a pro reader, but I can binge read books that are really good - Simple, fun, and teach you something you can immediately apply. Surrounded by idiots caught my attention from the first few pages. It is one of those books that make you wonder how different society would be if everyone read it once.
After I finished this book, I made a list of all the closest people I interact with (family, friends, coworkers, lovers) and tried to identify their “colors”. My perception of these people went from being “aggressive” or a “pushover” to “Red” and “Green”. It subconsciously became second nature to me to quickly identify what colors someone I am talking to falls under and so naturally you start understanding why people are the way they are and how YOU can adapt to them better to make the most out of that interaction/relationship.
One area in which I found this information to be quite amusing and helpful to analyze is in the context of romantic relationships. I started seeing the “true colors” of my past partners and inherently saw why the relationships were either great, or not, and where they went wrong and how knowing this information now and applying the knowledge in the next relationship will be drastically life changing. I realized why as a Yellow, Red with hints of Blue I was having problems with someone that was Red and Blue - My “yellow side” clashed with their “blue side” while actually complementing their “red side”. Our common "redness" led us to fall for each other as we both like someone with the same qualities, but also played a role in weakness as it brought some subconscious competitiveness that is not good in a romantic partnership, especially if one or both partners aren’t emotionally mature enough to see things for what they are instead of falling prey to the supposed societal norms and perceptions that are unfortunately being reinforced in everyday social media content. It’s truly remarkable once you realize how humans self sabotage and this book definitely helps you realize that.
I can also now see the downfall of my past relationship with a mostly Green person. My Red side could not only not tolerate being with a Green person, but it made my redness go into overdrive and into survival model (instinctual human behavior) which ultimately caused the imbalance that led to a breakup.
In my personal view, It’s important to not see this as a lesson of « I can’t entertain a prospect with a color that challenges mine » as 1) though challenging, it is actually *goals* to be with someone that has some opposing qualities so both partners can adopt traits that can help them become a more upgraded and newer version of themselves that will open new doors in life. Remember, a partner should ultimately make you grow, not just make you feel comfortable. As a yellow, you want and need to become more blue, and as a blue you would most definitely benefit from being more yellow; in fact, it’s exactly those lack of yellow traits that have you somewhat stuck in your life and same goes for the yellow person - they both represent the characteristics that are needed to take their lives to the next level! and 2) because you come to understand that unless yo are both 100% one color, everyone (~85% of the population) will have a mix of colors and that you will have to learn to adapt to each other. I think couples needs to read this book more than anybody!
In summary this book is a 9.5/10. Fun, simple, and impactful. Must read!
SepFinished this book in 2 days 💯
Reviewed in Canada on March 21, 2024
After I finished this book, I made a list of all the closest people I interact with (family, friends, coworkers, lovers) and tried to identify their “colors”. My perception of these people went from being “aggressive” or a “pushover” to “Red” and “Green”. It subconsciously became second nature to me to quickly identify what colors someone I am talking to falls under and so naturally you start understanding why people are the way they are and how YOU can adapt to them better to make the most out of that interaction/relationship.
One area in which I found this information to be quite amusing and helpful to analyze is in the context of romantic relationships. I started seeing the “true colors” of my past partners and inherently saw why the relationships were either great, or not, and where they went wrong and how knowing this information now and applying the knowledge in the next relationship will be drastically life changing. I realized why as a Yellow, Red with hints of Blue I was having problems with someone that was Red and Blue - My “yellow side” clashed with their “blue side” while actually complementing their “red side”. Our common "redness" led us to fall for each other as we both like someone with the same qualities, but also played a role in weakness as it brought some subconscious competitiveness that is not good in a romantic partnership, especially if one or both partners aren’t emotionally mature enough to see things for what they are instead of falling prey to the supposed societal norms and perceptions that are unfortunately being reinforced in everyday social media content. It’s truly remarkable once you realize how humans self sabotage and this book definitely helps you realize that.
I can also now see the downfall of my past relationship with a mostly Green person. My Red side could not only not tolerate being with a Green person, but it made my redness go into overdrive and into survival model (instinctual human behavior) which ultimately caused the imbalance that led to a breakup.
In my personal view, It’s important to not see this as a lesson of « I can’t entertain a prospect with a color that challenges mine » as 1) though challenging, it is actually *goals* to be with someone that has some opposing qualities so both partners can adopt traits that can help them become a more upgraded and newer version of themselves that will open new doors in life. Remember, a partner should ultimately make you grow, not just make you feel comfortable. As a yellow, you want and need to become more blue, and as a blue you would most definitely benefit from being more yellow; in fact, it’s exactly those lack of yellow traits that have you somewhat stuck in your life and same goes for the yellow person - they both represent the characteristics that are needed to take their lives to the next level! and 2) because you come to understand that unless yo are both 100% one color, everyone (~85% of the population) will have a mix of colors and that you will have to learn to adapt to each other. I think couples needs to read this book more than anybody!
In summary this book is a 9.5/10. Fun, simple, and impactful. Must read!
Images in this review
- RaviReviewed in the Netherlands on March 6, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read!
Worth the buy