Book Review: Surrounded by Idiots, by Th. Erikson

By a Life Coach in Training

As I deepen my journey into life coaching, one thing becomes clearer every day: understanding how people operate is just as important as understanding why. That’s why Surrounded by Idiotsby Thomas Erikson has been such a valuable read.

Using a color-based personality model—Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue—Erikson breaks down the ways people communicate, make decisions, and interact with the world. For someone training to become a coach, this book is a goldmine of insight. It helps me better read the room, adapt my approach, and hold space for all kinds of clients.

Here’s what stood out:

• 🔴 Reds crave action and results—they need directness and momentum.

• 🟡 Yellows thrive on connection and creativity—they need to be seen and inspired.

• 🟢 Greens value harmony and stability—they need time, trust, and calm energy.

• 🔵 Blues seek clarity and precision—they need structure and thoughtful engagement.

Surrounded by Idiots is incredibly helpful for understanding how different personality types (or “colors”) can work better together, even when their natural tendencies seem to clash. Thomas Erikson doesn’t just describe the types—he offers practical strategies for improving communication and collaboration between them. Let’s look at the following two dynamics:

🟢 Green Working with 🔴 Red

The Conflict:Greens are calm, patient, and dislike confrontation. Reds are fast-paced, assertive, and focused on results. Reds may find Greens too slow or passive, while Greens may find Reds too intense or pushy.

The Strategy:

• 🟢 Greens should be prepared to speak up more clearly and assertively, even if it feels uncomfortable. Reds appreciate directness and efficiency.

• 🔴 Reds should learn to slow down, show appreciation, and avoid steamrolling. Greens thrive when they feel safe and included.

• Both can find balance if the Red leads with vision and the Green ensures harmony and follow-through.

What the book teaches:How to spot when you’re frustrating someone without meaning to—and how to flex your style to support instead of stress them.

🔵 Blue Working with 🟡 Yellow

The Conflict:Blues are detail-oriented, careful, and structured. Yellows are big-picture, spontaneous, and emotionally expressive. Yellows might overwhelm Blues with unstructured ideas, while Blues might frustrate Yellows with endless questions and perceived negativity.

The Strategy:

• 🔵 Blues should try to embrace some of Yellow’s spontaneity and creativity. Not every idea needs a spreadsheet first!

• 🟡 Yellows should slow down, provide data, follow through, and respect process—or risk losing the Blue’s trust.

• They make a great team when the Yellow ignites the idea and the Blue builds the blueprint.

What the book teaches:How to understand where others are coming from, and how to stop trying to make everyone think like you.

🌈 In Coaching or Teamwork

This book is a brilliant reminder that difference doesn’t mean dysfunction—it’s actually our diversity in personality that creates powerful, well-rounded partnerships if we know how to manage the friction points.

Erikson’s tone is light, relatable, and often funny, but the lessons run deep. It’s not about labeling people—it’s about learning to meet them where they are. And as a coach, that is the work.

If you’re interested in coaching, leadership, or simply becoming a better communicator, I highly recommend this book. It’s already changing the way I listen, question, and support others.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 for any aspiring coach)