Bigger on the Inside

What Surrounded by Idiots Teaches Us About Teamwork, Disaster, and That Elusive Office Harmony

Let’s be honest: if you’ve ever worked in an office—especially in IT—you’ve probably thought, just once or twice, “Am I the only one here who gets it?” Well, you’re not alone, and Thomas Erikson’s wildly popular book, “Surrounded by Idiots,” is here to say, “Nope! Everyone’s different, and that’s the point.”

If you’re new to the book, here’s the TL;DR: Erikson breaks down human behavior into four basic personality types, each with their own color: Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue. Think of it as a box of crayons, but instead of making art, you’re managing group chats, deadlines, and coffee orders. Let’s break it down, have a laugh, and see what happens if we get the mix wrong—and what magic happens when we get it right.

The Four Colors: Not Just for Finger Painting

Erikson’s approach is a bit like sorting Skittles, but with coworkers instead of candy. Here’s your cheat sheet:

• Red (Dominant): Action-oriented, decisive, sometimes seen as bossy, but they get things done. They’re the ones charging ahead with “Let’s DO this!” vibes.
• Yellow (Influential): Social butterflies with big ideas and bigger laughs. They light up the room, brainstorm like crazy, and are the heart of any office meme thread.
• Green (Steady): Supportive, patient, resistant to change, and the glue that holds the team together. They’re the ones remembering birthdays and diffusing drama.
• Blue (Conscientious): Analytical, detail-oriented, and sometimes perfectionists. They’ll have the spreadsheet ready, color-coded, and double-checked, thank you very much.

Now, the rookie mistake? Trying to fill your team with just one of these types. Imagine a room full of Reds—everyone’s yelling “GO!” but no one’s mapped out where. All Blues? The plan is flawless, but it’s still in a draft version. A true dream team is a rainbow, not a monochrome.

Why the Mix Matters: Don’t Build Your Team Like a One-Flavor Sundae

Here’s the secret sauce: your team’s not supposed to be all one color. The benefit of understanding these types isn’t to create a “Red Room” or a “Blue Squad,” but to build a team that’s as vibrant as an Ikea catalog—one where each hue balances and elevates the others.

The truth is, a team of all Yellows will have a blast at the brainstorm but might forget to actually deliver the project. Too many Greens? Everyone’s feelings are safe, but deadlines might be in danger. That’s why the trick is about balance, not exclusivity.

How NOT to Use Personality Types: A Cautionary Tale from the IT Dungeon

Let me spin you a yarn about the IT project that could have been—if only someone had read Erikson’s book.

Picture this: a software rollout for a big client. The project manager, a proud Red, decides that what the team really needs is MORE Reds. “We need action! We need results! We don’t need meetings about meetings,” they declare. So, the team is assembled: each member, a go-getter, loud, confident, and allergic to spreadsheets.

The kick-off meeting is electric—ideas flying, fast-paced decisions, no time for “what-ifs.” The project bulldozes ahead. But then…

– No one checked the code for bugs (because there were no Blues).

– No one asked the client what they actually wanted (no Yellows to charm them or Greens to listen).

– No one double-checked the timeline or tested for user experience hiccups (again, missing those detail-oriented Blues and thoughtful Greens).

Launch day arrives. The software is flashy, but riddled with bugs. The client’s actual needs? Missed entirely. Internal drama bubbles up, because without Greens, no one is smoothing over egos or miscommunications. The project stumbles, then crashes. The all-Red team burned bright—and flamed out just as quickly.

Moral of the story: putting all your eggs in the Red basket (or any single basket) is a recipe for scrambled disaster.

How to Build a Dream Team: When the Colors Combine

Now, let’s look at the flip side—a story where every personality found their place.

New project, same IT department, but this time, the project manager knows their Erikson. They build a team with all four colors:

• Red: Keeps momentum high, making sure decisions happen and tasks get assigned.
• Yellow: Brings energy to brainstorms, keeps client relationships warm, and motivates the group in those 3pm slumps.
• Green: Checks in with teammates, ensures everyone’s heard, and champions the users’ needs.
• Blue: Designs bulletproof code, anticipates risks, and won’t let a single typo slip through.

Here’s how it plays out:

The Red sets ambitious—but clear—goals and makes sure meetings don’t drag into eternity. The Yellow organizes a brainstorm (with snacks), gets everyone fired up, and translates tech talk for the client. The Green notices that one developer seems overwhelmed, checks in, and suggests a team coffee break that boosts morale. Meanwhile, the Blue quietly reviews every line of code, catches a glaring security risk, and saves the day.

When launch day comes, the software is robust, the client is happy, and the team is still talking to each other. The project succeeds, not just because the code works, but because everyone’s strengths were tapped.

Tips for Mixing the Palette

So, how do you make your own team a beautiful blend instead of a single shade? Some quick hits:

• Value variety: Don’t just tolerate differences—seek them out!
• Assign roles thoughtfully: Let the Reds lead, the Yellows inspire, the Greens harmonize, and the Blues perfect.
• Communicate: Not everyone processes info the same. Some want bullet points, some want stories, some want both. Mix it up!
• Check your biases: It’s easy to think, “If only everyone thought like me!” Resist. That’s the path to IT disaster.

Wrapping It Up (With a Vincent van Gogh Bow)

In the end, “Surrounded by Idiots” isn’t about labeling your coworkers or wishing you could clone yourself (tempting as that may be). It’s about celebrating the differences and learning how to bring out the best in everyone. Teams aren’t meant to be echo chambers—they’re meant to be symphonies, with each instrument (and personality) playing its part.

So next time you’re feeling “surrounded by idiots,” maybe you’re actually surrounded by potential. Find the right mix, and your team will shine brighter than any one color ever could.

Now, go forth and color your team outside the lines!