Have you ever rolled your eyes at someone and thought, “What a fool!”? You’re not alone, that’s for sure! You can think there’s something wrong with someone if they don’t comprehend you or act in entirely unexpected ways. The truth is that they might just be unique from you. Thomas Erikson teaches how to identify and interact with 4 main behavioral patterns in his book Surrounded by Idiots. You’ll learn the salient characteristics, distinctions, advantages and disadvantages of the four different types of behavior in this Surrounded by Idiots overview, as well as how to interact with each type in a productive manner.

Why do some people speak constantly, while others are so quiet? Why are some people always on time, but not others? Why can you easily connect with some people but not with others? Our behavioral variations are a result of a combination of internal (such as temperament, character, and personality) and environmental influences (e.g. environment and situational factors).

Our underlying beliefs and attitudes have an impact on our actions and aspirations. What we consider to be right or bad is determined by our values (e.g., “Lying is wrong” or “Hard work is excellent”). Our attitudes are the beliefs we form as a result of our experiences in life.

What matters in any communication isn’t what you say, but rather what the audience hears and understands depending on their assumptions, preconceptions, and frames of reference.

Dominance, Inducement, Submission, and Analytic (DISA), the four behavior categories discussed in this book, explain the main variations in human conduct and communication. Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue are the colors that represent the four different behavior types.

These patterns of behavior have been around for millennia, therefore people have been acting in this way for a very long time. You might be familiar with the DISC profile or Hippocrates’ four “humors,” for instance.

These concepts are brought to life by Thomas Erikson, who arranged the four behavior kinds according to four colors. This is a brief comparison of Erikson’s four colors with other popular behavior profiling instruments, particularly the DISC and DISA.

Rikson’s four colors—Red for Dominance, Yellow for Inspiration, Green for Stability, and Blue for Analytic—are drawn from the DISA paradigm. With the exception of “A” for Analytic replacing “C,” this is similarly comparable to DISC.

Red denotes power:
Reds make natural leaders because they are driven, aspirational, resolute, and dynamic. They are fiercely competitive, put in a lot of effort, move a team or project forward, and constantly push themselves. Reds are task-oriented and active individuals. They are direct in their communication and won’t hold back when expressing their opinions.-

Reds can, however, come out as abrasive, impatient, or overbearing. They may bulldoze over or leave others behind because they are so intent on getting things done. They might also interject, state their case, or seem domineering or combative.

Yellow = Inducement:
Yellow people are upbeat, imaginative, and friendly. They have a big social network and are active social butterflies. Yellows are contagious because they are constantly bursting with life, joy, and laughter. They are also inspiring, resourceful, and hopeful. Yellows are the most energetic, expressive, and chatty of the four colors.

Yellows can, however, also be perceived as impetuous, attention-seeking, and talkative in excess. They don’t listen well and frequently dominate conversations by expressing ideas or opinions without giving them any thought. Because they enjoy themselves so much, they could disobey orders, forget appointments or deadlines, or become overly optimistic.

Green indicates stability:
Greens are patient, reliable, and devoted. They want a relaxed, orderly setting where they may move at their own pace. They are tolerant, trustworthy, and excellent team players, yet they avoid the spotlight. Every effort would be made to prevent conflict in order to preserve peace and stability.

On the other hand, some people can view Greens as being dishonest, uncaring, or stubborn. They won’t act or change their opinions unless it feels genuinely “correct” to them. The more the difficulty or issue, the more they withhold. They may therefore appear hesitant or slow to adapt. Greens often avoid controversy by remaining neutral or using ambiguous language. Even if they disagree, they’re unlikely to mention it publicly, preferring to air their grievances in secret behind your back.

Blue denotes analytical:
Blues strive for perfection in whatever they do and are meticulous, analytical, and perfectionists. They follow a systematic process, classifying, labeling, and documenting everything. They employ sophisticated spreadsheets and analytical tools to analyze a problem from all possible perspectives. Before taking any action, they will double-check everything and demand backup plans. Instead of talking excessively, they choose to quietly observe and consider everything around them.

Blues can also be seen as cold, pessimistic, and meticulous, though. Working with them might be slow and tiresome. In addition, they could come across as icy and pessimistic, always demanding proof and highlighting hazards.

There’s no perfect behavior type. Each color has its strengths and weaknesses. Any quality can backfire if it’s applied in the wrong situation or if it’s taken to an extreme.

The only way to become fluent at the language of human behavior is to keep practicing it. To start applying the ideas, Thomas Erikson encourages you to try identifying the profile of people around you and experimenting with the various tips and suggestion in the book.