Maybe you have experienced something similar to me. During one of my first tutorials in my Bachelor's, I was put in a group with three other students tasked to build the highest tower possible with only marshmallows and sticks. I quickly came to realize that this was not about trying to win, but about figuring out what kind of persons my teammates were during this task e.g. the creative, the worker or the leader.
The book called 'Surrounded by idiots' reminded me of this marshmallow test. In this book, Thomas Erikson, a behavioural expert, describes personality types according to the DISC theory. In short, this theory describes four different personalities based on colors. For example, ‘red’ people are dominant, natural leaders and have a really straightforward approach to handling things and are inclined to take risks. This is something 'blue' people are really opposed to, since they want to think through every step and detail up to the point that it really annoys the red people. The ‘yellow’ people are literally the brightest extraverts that love to be the center of attention. On the contrary, ‘green’ people are introverted people who prefer to be a wallflower and are always there to calm or reassure another person. If you are wondering what colour you are, there is actually a test you can do online to figure this out.
This book is definitely an easy read, as this non-fiction psychology book doesn't use any jargon at all. Moreover, I think that everybody will recognize and relate to certain situations described in the book, such as the fact that a blue person will stare at you questioning your mental capabilities after you mentioned that you focused on the most important details. It also serves as a mirror for yourself which lets you think about how you behave, what kind of roles, especially in a work environment, you attract, and most importantly how that affects the people that surround you.
However, I think it is important to stay critical since this colour theory is not based on any scientific research. Yes, Thomas mentions the positive impact his training has had on employees, employers, and the overall work atmosphere, but the colour distinction also led to problematic conversations. A 'yellow' or 'red' personality doesn't serve as an explanation for your behavior, just as depression doesn't fully explain why and how you're feeling the way you do.
All in all, Thomas’ book is a fun and easy read for everybody, but definitely keep in mind that the DISC theory lacks scientific groundwork. Other theories on personality, such as the 'Big five'* have been established as the golden standard for personality research within psychology. This is because they are based on thousands of people who filled in personality questionnaires that cover more than 100 questions each. This is probably a typical ‘blue’ thing to mention, so if diving into the nitty gritty regarding scientific underpinnings of a certain theory is not your cup of tea, you should add this book to your ‘to read’ page on Goodreads.
*If you want to know more about the ‘Big Five’ personality traits, check out the article on ‘Personality’!
Author: Joyce Burger
