How to know if you are “Surrounded by Idiots”.

Introduction

“Surrounded by Idiots” is the title of a book I got for Christmas. I first saw it in a bookshop and was drawn to it. Hmmm, I wonder why?😂 It took me two days to finish the book and I have re-read it many times since.

In case you are in a hurry, Here are the quick links

• My learning points
• 4 types of human behaviour
• The Reds
  • How to recognise a Red
  • How Reds are perceived
  • Adapting to Red behaviour
  • How to behave when you meet a Red
  • Giving Feedback to a Red
  • Famous Reds
  • Take home message

“Surrounded by Idiots”: The book

I am insightful or so I thought, until I read this book. 👉 https://amzn.to/3jr20Q0 (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases). I took the title to mean exactly what it says 🙈. Surprise, surprise, I was wrong. This book is far away from “Idiots” or any similar adjective.

It has instead given me insight into the personalities and characteristics of everyone around me including my family. No matter what has shaped us into who we are, how we live or react; we basically fall into 4 different groups or colours. There may be an overlap, Nevertheless, there is a primary group for everyone.

My Learning points

My main learning points are from reading “Surrounded by Idiots are:

The 4 Types of Human behaviour

I remember registering for a leadership course following which I received a questionnaire, similar to the Myersbriggs personality type to complete. https://www.myersbriggs.org. These questionnaires are laborious and I feel someone is trying to psychoanalyse me. I have completed a few of these as a prerequisite for leadership courses. However, I believe having this book is money well spent. The awareness of my type of human behaviour is at an all time high. I better understand the reactions I get from individuals especially if exhibit the some of the characteristics that best describes my behaviour.

Types of human behaviour is a thing amongst psychologist, psychiatrists and the likes. This is not the case for the rest of us or shall I speak for myself? 🤔 There are the usually adjectives to describe people: outspoken, aggressive, calm, introvert, extrovert and so on. This book includes all these terms but individuals are better classified into red, yellow, green and blue. Also we are given skills on how to get the best out of each colour. This post will be a summary on the Red type of human behaviour. My Subsequent blog post will look into the others.

The Reds!!

How to recognise a Red

How Reds are perceived

Adapting to Red Behaviour

1. Speed up
2. Speak up
3. Act quickly
4. Cut the small talk/Be clear, concise and to the point.
5. Stick to the topic
6. Deliver your opinion without blinking.

How to Behave When You Meet a Red

1. Skip the details
2. Demand adult behaviour
3. Make them adapt to other behaviour types (Good luck!!😂)
4. Force a red to wait/Carry others along😬

Giving Feedback To A Red

You must give feedback to a Red but make sure you are standing as close to a wide open door as possible!!😂😂😂

Famous Reds

• Barack Obama
• Steve Jobs
• Venus Williams
• Margaret Thatcher

Take home message

Know your human behaviour type.

Disclaimer: This post is a summary from the book as mentioned in the this blog post.