Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson is a game-changing personality types book that’ll make you rethink every annoying coworker, friend, or family member who’s ever driven you up the wall. Erikson, a Swedish behavioral expert, drops a simple yet eye-opening system to decode why people act the way they do, based on the DISC assessment: Red (dominant, bold), Yellow (social, chatty), Green (chill, friendly), and Blue (analytical, detail-obsessed). Ever wonder why your boss is a control freak or your partner never listens? This 304-page bestseller, first published in 2014 and translated into 70 languages with over 10 million copies sold, says it’s not them being “idiots”—it’s just their color talking. Erikson dishes practical tips, like how to give feedback to a hotheaded Red (be direct!) or email a Blue (facts only, no fluff). Born from a meeting with a CEO who swore he was “surrounded by idiots,” the book’s got humor, real-world examples, and “aha!” moments, like realizing your quiet coworker’s Green vibe just needs time to process. Fans on X call it a “communication cheat code”, and its 4.0-star Goodreads rating shows it clicks for many. But haters, including Swedish skeptics who labeled Erikson “Misleader of the Year”, slam it as pseudoscience, saying people don’t fit neatly into four boxes and the DISC model oversimplifies. Some find the title off-putting or the advice repetitive. Still, it’s a fun, accessible read that’ll have you spotting Reds and Yellows everywhere, perfect for anyone wanting to level up their people skills.

Who Should Read It? This is for self-help fans who love practical communication hacks, readers craving The Four Tendencies or Atomic Habits vibes, or anyone frustrated by workplace or relationship clashes. If you’re into The Graham Effect for banter or My Fault for drama and don’t mind a light, non-scientific tone, grab this—perfect for ages 15+ for an insightful, quick read. No prior reading needed, standalone but part of the Surrounded By series (Surrounded by Narcissists next). If you hate oversimplified psychology or the word “idiots,” it might grate—check reviews first.

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