#thomas erikson

It was even labelled? Thats so weird?!?

Thomas Erikson: Surrounded by Idiots

Communication is far more than the mere transmission of information. Unlike the transport of goods, a message is not simply passed from one person to another. Communication is a complex process in which both sender and receiver are equally involved in creating meaning. For a message to be understood, both sides must interpret, contextualise and respond to one another. In particular, the ability to adopt another’s perspective plays a key role: those who communicate should be able to imagine how the other person perceives what is being said and what reactions this might trigger.

Against this backdrop, Thomas Erikson explores in his book *Surrounded by Idiots* why people communicate so differently and why misunderstandings arise. His approach is based on a personality model inspired by the historical four-humours theory. Erikson divides people into four colour types: Red stands for dominant and decisive individuals, Yellow for communicative and enthusiastic people, Green for calm and steady characters, and Blue for analytical and structured thinkers. The basic idea is that people interpret the same message differently, depending on the traits they possess.

The practical benefit of this model lies in the fact that it sharpens our awareness of differences between people. Those who recognise the needs and expectations of the person they are talking to can adapt their communication more effectively. At the same time, self-reflection helps us to better understand the impact we have on others. Erikson makes it clear that successful communication depends not only on what is said, but also on how it is said and who is receiving the message.

Particularly interesting is the idea that each of the four colours fulfils an important social function. The red types drive change and make decisions. The green types ensure stability and cohesion. The blue types analyse problems and lay the foundations for scientific and technical developments. The yellow types connect people and circulate ideas. From this perspective, diversity appears not as an obstacle, but as a prerequisite for a functioning society.

At the same time, the model has its limitations. People can rarely be clearly assigned to a single category. Most people possess a combination of different traits, which come to the fore to varying degrees depending on the situation. This makes it clear that the human personality is far more complex than four colours can convey. Cultural influences, personal experiences and situational factors also play an important role. The same behaviour can be interpreted completely differently in different contexts.

Furthermore, communication is not determined by words alone. Body language, facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice and even pauses between sentences influence the meaning of a message. Many approaches to communication theory therefore emphasise that the non-verbal and paraverbal elements are often just as important as the actual content. These aspects, too, cannot be fully captured by a colour model.

Another question raised by the book is whether certain personality types are more socially desirable than others. In my view, a world in which everyone thinks and acts in the same way would be neither particularly creative nor worth living in. Different characters give rise to new ideas, perspectives and developments. It is precisely the diversity of people that makes communication necessary and interesting in the first place.

My personal verdict is therefore mixed. The book offers an easy-to-understand and practical introduction to different communication styles. It helps readers to better understand their own behaviour and that of others. At the same time, the categories presented should not be seen as a definitive description of people. The complexity of human personality cannot be fully reduced to four colours.