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TL;DR: In Surrounded by Idiots, Swedish communication consultant Thomas Erikson argues that most conflict comes from different communication styles, not bad people. He sorts behavior into four colors: Red (dominant), Yellow (inspiring), Green (stable) and Blue (analytical). By recognizing these styles and adapting to them, you can communicate better at work and at home.
Surrounded by Idiots: The Four Types of Human Behavior and How to Effectively Communicate with Each in Business (and in Life) was first published in Swedish in 2014 and became an international bestseller after it was translated into English. The provocative title comes from a story Erikson tells about a man who believed everyone around him was an idiot, until Erikson realized the problem was how he communicated.
Table of Contents
Surrounded by Idiots at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Author | Thomas Erikson |
| Published | 2014 (Swedish original), later translated into English and dozens of other languages |
| Genre | Communication / personality / business |
| Structure | An introduction to the color system, chapters on each color, then how to adapt |
| Best for | Managers, teams, salespeople and anyone struggling to communicate with certain people |
What Is Surrounded by Idiots About?
Erikson’s system is based on the DISC model, which grew out of psychologist William Moulton Marston’s 1928 work on emotions. Erikson translates DISC into four colors that are easy to remember. Most people are a mix of two colors, with one dominant, and very few are purely one type.
The Four Colors
Red: Dominant
Reds are ambitious, decisive, competitive and results-focused. They value speed and control and get impatient with small talk and details. Under pressure they can seem aggressive or domineering. To communicate with a Red: be direct, get to the point and focus on results.
Yellow: Inspiring
Yellows are optimistic, creative, sociable and talkative. They bring energy and enthusiasm but may struggle with follow-through and details. To communicate with a Yellow: be friendly, allow time for conversation and connect ideas to people and fun.
Green: Stable
Greens are patient, loyal, calm and supportive. They value harmony and dislike sudden change and conflict, sometimes avoiding saying what they really think. To communicate with a Green: be warm, patient and reassuring, and give them time to adjust to changes.
Blue: Analytical
Blues are detail-oriented, methodical, careful and quality-focused. They want facts, data and accuracy, and they can seem reserved or overly critical. To communicate with a Blue: be prepared, precise and logical, and give them time to analyze.
Adapting to Others
Erikson’s core advice is to adjust your communication to the other person’s style rather than expecting them to adjust to yours. He also explains how each color reacts to stress, what each color sees as the others’ weaknesses, and how to give feedback in a way each can hear.
5 Key Takeaways From Surrounded by Idiots
- Different isn’t wrong. Most clashes come from different styles, not bad intentions.
- Learn the four colors. Red, Yellow, Green and Blue each want different things.
- Know your own style. Self-awareness shows how others experience you.
- Adapt your approach. Speak in the way the other person can best receive.
- Watch stress reactions. Each style behaves differently under pressure.
Ideas Worth Remembering
- You can’t change other people, but you can change how you communicate with them. (paraphrased)
- What you say is less important than how it’s received. (paraphrased)
- Everyone is a mix of styles; no color is better than another. (paraphrased)
What Do Critics Say?
Psychologists point out that DISC-based systems lack strong scientific support compared with research-based models like the Big Five personality traits. In 2018, the Swedish Skeptics Association, Vetenskap och Folkbildning, gave Erikson its Misleader of the Year award, criticizing the system as pseudoscience. Many readers still find the colors a useful, simple starting point for thinking about communication, as long as they’re not used to label or judge people rigidly.
Who Should Read Surrounded by Idiots?
It’s popular with managers, team leaders, salespeople and HR professionals. It’s easy to read and can spark useful conversations about communication styles. Readers wanting scientifically rigorous personality psychology should look to Big Five-based books instead.
What to Read Next
- Quiet by Susan Cain on introverts and extroverts.
- Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson and colleagues on high-stakes communication.
- Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg on compassionate communication.
Related: Talking to Strangers summary and best books on employee engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the four colors in Surrounded by Idiots?
Red is dominant and results-focused, Yellow is inspiring and sociable, Green is stable and supportive, and Blue is analytical and detail-oriented.
Is Surrounded by Idiots based on science?
It’s based on the DISC model, which lacks strong scientific validation. It can be a useful conversation starter, but it isn’t a substitute for research-based personality psychology.
How do I know which color I am?
The book describes the typical traits, strengths and stress reactions of each color so you can recognize your own mix. Most people are a combination of two colors, with one stronger than the other.