During a recent spell of bad weather I went into one of my reading frenzies. This time I focused on books about management and coaching, hoping to learn some tricks I could apply at work. While many management books are nothing but self-indulgent waffle, Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson is a pleasant exception to the rule. It has given me insights I have instantly been able to apply to my job and, dare I say it, have even made said job a little easier.

So what is the book all about? Erikson introduces the DISC colour theory (not a theory he invented himself, by the way) to identify different personality types and how they are likely to behave in the workplace. People are complex, he admits, and most of us show traits of more than one colour. Rather than acts as an attempt to push people into neat little boxes and explain away their individual quirks, the DISC theory helps to understand why some of your colleagues get on your nerves. Why, to put it bluntly, they are “idiots”. Erikson actually spends a lot of time explaining why we shouldn’t think of our colleagues as idiots and would do better to understand their drives, pet peeves, and what makes them human. In other words, we should see them as we would like to be seen ourselves.

It is therefore convenient that the book (now part of a series which revolves around the same theory) has helped me understand myself better. I discovered I have a lot of Red traits in my character, which explains why I’m goal-oriented and dislike small talk. While I don’t display the lack of tact and bullying behaviour Reds are notorious for (at least, I hope I don’t), it explains why my Yellow colleagues sometimes annoy me to no end. Whereas I want to get down to business, they are more relationship-oriented and need small talk to get the meeting going. Erikson emphasizes that neither of us are wrong, or right for that matter: we are just different. By understanding and respecting those differences we can work together more efficiently and avoid conflict.

Surrounded by Idiots, as the tongue-in-cheek title suggests, is also very funny. Anyone who has ever worked anywhere (especially in an office job) will recognize the personalities and situations Erikson describes. His stories are often painful, sometimes cringy, and always hilarious. Humour is, of course, a great way to deal with irritations and become more understanding and accepting. At the end of the day, we’re all just trying to get through the working day. We don’t need to be friends and there will always be colleagues you just don’t see eye to eye with. Just don’t call them idiots. Or be prepared for them to do the same to you.

Image my own @thecococatani