50 pages • 1 hour read
Thomas EriksonSurrounded By Idiots
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2014A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 4-6Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 4 Summary
Erikson explains how to identify “Red” or “Dominant” people and “avoid getting in his way” (Location 295). He describes Red personality types as “task-oriented extroverts” who enjoy taking on ambitious tasks, competing with others, and proving themselves (Location 300). The author claims that Reds also tend to be more brash, spontaneous, opinionated, and active.
This intense personality can easily rub people the wrong way, but Erikson maintains that most Reds do not mean to be malicious or intimidating. A challenge for Reds is to temper their competitive streak and confident behavior to ensure they do not alienate people or act inappropriately. According to Erikson, Reds have valuable traits such as being action-oriented and hyper-productive, embracing risk and challenge, and being able to adapt their plans quickly. They also excel at communicating in a direct manner without fear of conflict or repercussions.
Chapter 5 Summary
Erikson analyzes the Yellow, or “Inspiring” personality type, which he describes as positive, outgoing, and talkative. He claims that this personality tends to be popular with others as they tend to be easy-going and inspiring. Yellows can make quick judgements, often based on their intuition. Erikson points to his sister as an example of a Yellow, as she always looks on the bright side of life. He claims this optimism is typical of Yellows. Yellows’ strengths include their social skills, positive thinking, high energy, creativity, and powers of persuasion.
Chapter 6 Summary
The author claims that Greens are the most common personality type. They lack the extremes which characterize the other colors, and as such are more predictable and easy-going. The author considers Greens to be friendly and uncompetitive toward others; they are excellent listeners and “team players” (Location 626).
While Greens are reluctant to change, they can be convinced to change if they have time to prepare and reasons to do so. Erikson describes Greens as “relationship people” who are naturally caring and concerned for others, and are often people-pleasers (Location 635). Erikson claims that Greens usually prioritize the needs of the group above their own personal desires. Since Greens are not prone to arguing and value collaboration, they tend to work well with other personalities. This type, which is also known as the “Stable” color, values routine and predictability. This makes it easy for others to gauge how Greens will react to certain ideas, as they tend to maintain certain opinions. Greens’ strengths include their strong listening skills and genuinely caring natures.
Chapters 4-6 Analysis
Erikson provides real-life examples of the different personality types he is analyzing. For instance, to demonstrate the competitive nature of a Red personality, he points to the example of his old neighbor, who tried to out-do him with elaborate planting schemes and lawn maintenance. Similarly, Erikson recalls a boss he worked for who was brash and hyper-competitive with his own employees, even in fun recreational activities.
In another anecdote, Erikson reminisces about a businesswoman who relied on her confident demeanor, a typical Red trait, to persuade others, even when her statistics were not correct. Erikson points to his sister as an example of a Yellow, “Inspiring” personality to demonstrate how their optimistic nature is “contagious” to others (Location 482). He shares:
In many ways it’s liberating to visit her and her husband Lief. Their almost incomprehensible ability to see bright spots in everything around them is so delightful that it frees my own easygoing disposition. I am never as happy or as exhilarated as when I visit them (Location 482).
To show how Yellows’ positivity can manifest in everyday life, Erikson shares an anecdote about a friend who was in a car accident that damaged his car door. He writes, “When I heard about the accident, I was worried and called to see if he was okay. His answer? ‘It was fine! I just got out the other door!’” (Location 520). Erikson’s real-world examples bring life to the different types he is analyzing, modelling how a reader’s friends, family members, and coworkers might fit into each category.
Erikson highlights the strengths of each personality type and also touches on some of their weaknesses, pointing again to The Role of Self-Awareness in Communication. Each communicator needs to understand how others may perceive them to be aware of any potential pitfalls. For example, he observes that Reds’ tendency to be intensely competitive can hurt and alienate others. He explains:
This kind of intensive and competitive behavior often upsets other people because they think it is all about dominating and suppressing others [...] It’s not uncommon that other people feel irritated or intimidated by them because they’re such powerful personalities (Location 344).
While Erikson praises Yellows for their many talents, he claims that they can fall prey to deluded thinking, and may manipulate others with their convincing rhetoric. He writes, “It’s easy for them to get carried away, seeing opportunities and solutions where others might only see a dead end. It’s often said that there is a difference between convincing and persuading, and many Yellows cross these boundaries” (Location 559). By discussing how different personalities might mismanage their work or miscommunicate with others, Erikson highlights the importance of developing strong social skills and self-reflection.
The author also advances his theme about the benefits of being perceptive and The Importance of Adaptability. He credits Yellows with being “skilled rhetoricians” who are very aware of how to best communicate a certain message to their chosen audience (Location 566). Likewise, Greens are also adept at focusing on others and being genuinely interested in their message. Erikson relays a story about a quiet, mild-mannered saleswoman who was very successful in her job in spite of her more introverted nature. On one sales call she earned an executive’s trust with her excellent listening skills by showing an interest in his hobby of restoring cars. Erikson explains, “[S]he couldn’t tell the difference between a Ford and a Chevrolet. But she didn’t interrupt; she just listened. After that it was easy. They sat down, and he asked to see the sales agreement” (Location 734). These examples stress the benefits of being perceptive and adaptable when dealing with others.
