"The Surrounded by Idiots Book (Thomas Erikson) offers a simple, yet ground-breaking method for assessing the personalities of people we communicate with within 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" - Amazon.com
In the real world, only 5% of people have only one color that dominates their behavior, and over 80% have a combination of two colors along whose spectrum their behaviors can be described. The rest—15%—are dominated by three colors.
The most common behavior among people is Green in combination with another color (or even entirely Green behavior). The least common is entirely Red behavior or Red behavior in combination with one other color.
- Blue/Green and Red/Yellow, are the best combination. Because in the real world, most people are dominated by two colors.
- Blues/Reds, as well as Greens/Yellows, are complementary types: grouping people like that makes invincible teams (as well as long-lasting friendships and marriages)
- Reds/Greens fail to work as a team, and, due to mutual disliking, are better off grouped otherwise.
- Yellow/Blue is the worst combination: you don’t want them in the same room, whether as workers, friends, or lovers.
The Reds
Reds are quick and more than happy to take command if needed. They make things happen. However, when they get going, they become control freaks and can be hopeless to deal with. And they repeatedly trample on people’s toes.
- In a few traits:
- quick reaction, maximum effort to control, minimal interest for caution in relationships, direct action, and tendency to avoid involvement.
- Adjectives that describe them:
- aggressive, ambitious, strong-willed, goal-oriented, pushing, problem-solver, pioneer, decisive, innovator, impatient, controlling, convincing, performance-oriented, powerful, results-oriented, initiator, speed, timekeeper, intense opinionated, straightforward, independent.
- How they perceive themselves:
- driven, decisive, prompt, persuasive, resolute, competitive, determined, strong-willed, ambitious, independent, time-conscious, and results-oriented.
- Body language:
- They keep their distance from others, have powerful handshakes, lean forward aggressively, use direct eye contact and controlling gestures
- How to talk to them:
- With Reds you have to be sincere, direct, and argumentative; they hate beating around the bush and are less receptive if you use euphemisms; however, they will use any weakness in your argument against you, so stay strong and firm with them.
- What annoys them:
- Reds hate unchallenging and mundane tasks more than they hate Death itself, so if you want them on your team, give them something difficult to do (and, also, a team to command)
The Yellows
Yellows can be amusing, and creative, and elevate the mood regardless of who they’re with. However, when they are given unlimited space, they will consume all the oxygen in the room, they won’t allow anyone into a conversation, and their stories will reflect reality less and less.
- In a few traits:
- rapid reaction, maximum effort to involve, minimal interest in routine, future time frame, impulsive action, and tendency to reject isolation.
- Adjectives that describe them:
- talkative, enthusiastic, persuasive, creative, optimistic, social, spontaneous, expressive, charming, full of vitality, self-centered, sensitive, adaptable, inspiring, needs attention, encouraging, communicative, flexible, open, sociable, imaginative, easygoing.
- How they perceive themselves:
- enthusiastic, inspiring, open, convincing, charming, optimistic, creative, easygoing, outgoing, flexible, spontaneous, and communicative.
- Body language:
- they are tactile, relaxed, and jocular, show friendly eye contact, use expressive gestures, and often come close to the one they talk to.
- How to talk to them:
- Yellows are most receptive when you are open and amiable to them, which means, try to laugh at their jokes and insert one or two yourselves; also, since Yellows are disorganized, it’s better to provide them with a detailed list of their responsibilities after the oral part of your discussion is over.
- What annoys them:
- Yellows don’t want to be isolated, so don’t put them in solitary offices; they also don’t want to be surrounded by negative energy, so don’t put them around Blues; finally, when they ask you to organize the next teambuilding event—don’t hesitate to say “yes”.
The Greens
The friendly Greens are easy to hang out with because they are so pleasant and genuinely care for others. Unfortunately, they can be too wishy-washy and unclear. Anyone who never takes a stand eventually becomes difficult to handle. You don’t know where they really stand, and indecision kills the energy in other people.
- In a few traits:
- calm reaction, maximum effort for connection, minimal interest in change, current time frame, supportive action, and tendency to reject conflict.
- Adjectives that describe them:
- patient, relaxed, self-controlled, reliable, composed, loyal, modest, understanding, lengthy, stable, prudent, discreet, supportive, good listener, helpful, producer, persistent, reluctant, thoughtful, conceal feelings, considerate, kind.
- How they perceive themselves:
- friendly, considerate, predictable, discreet, calm, pleasant, stable, thoughtful, reliable, patient, team player, good listener.
- Body language:
- they are relaxed and come close, act methodically, tend to lean backward, use very friendly eye contact, and prefer small-scale gestures.
- How to talk to them:
- Greens don’t want to be in the spotlight, so only one-on-one meetings with them should work—even when you want to praise their work; on the other hand, when you criticize them, try to make sure they know that nothing is personal because they have fragile egos.
- What annoys them:
- Unlike Yellows, Greens like privacy and don’t want a sudden change in plans. So, don’t make them redo the work they’ve already done, and don’t ever reassign them to new projects in the middle of an ongoing one.
The Blues
The analytical Blues are calm, levelheaded, and think before they speak. Their ability to keep a cool head is undoubtedly an enviable quality for all who aren’t capable of doing that. However, Blues’ critical thinking can easily turn to suspicion and questioning those around them. Everything can become suspect and sinister.
- In a few traits:
- slow reaction, maximum effort to organize, minimal interest in relationships, historical time frame, cautious action, and tendency to avoid involvement.
- Adjectives that describe them:
- conscientious, systematic, distant, correct, conventional, seems insecure, objective, structured, analytical, perfectionist, needs time, reflecting, methodical, seek facts, quality-oriented, scrutinizing, rule-following, logical, questioning, meticulous, reflecting, reserved.
- How they perceive themselves:
- accurate, detail-oriented, orderly, systematic, cautious, logical, quality-oriented, thorough, correct, methodical, reflective, and unassuming.
- Body language:
- they have closed body language and prefer to keep others at a distance, they either stand or sit, use direct eye contact and speak without gestures.
- How to talk to them:
- when you talk with a Blue, have your facts and arguments prepared beforehand, because, unless you know the answers to all of their questions, they will not take your idea seriously; so, work out everything in advance—minutiae included.
- What annoys them:
- Blues, unlike everybody else, crave bureaucratic organization and want well-thought-out plans; however, they also want enough time and space to execute them properly, so tight deadlines would never work in their case.
BEHAVIOR = f (P × Sf)
- Behavior is a function of Personality and Surrounding factors, where our Behavior is that which we can observe, Personality is what we try to figure out, and Surrounding factors are things that we have an influence on.
- According to Erikson’s explanations in Surrounded by Idiots, people are either dominantly Red (dominant, direct, active), Yellow (inspiring, impulsive, influential), Green (stable, calm, supportive), or Blue (analytical, slow, cautious).
- Only 5%, however, are exclusively dominated by one color, and just 15% can be described in a three-color range. The rest—80%—are dominated by two colors.
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