Surrounded by Idiots

Surrounded by Idiots offers great advice on how to get your point across more effectively, communicate better, and work your way up in your personal and professional life by getting to know the four types of personalities people generally have and how to address each one in particular to kickstart a beneficial dialogue, instead of engaging in a conflict.

This concept of dominant personality types was first brought forth by Hippocrates way back in the fifth century BC. He stated that everyone can fall into one of the four categories of personalities: red (choleric), yellow (sanguine), green (phlegmatic), or blue (melancholic). Of course, everyone shares traits from all these categories, but we all have a dominant personality.

Dominance, ambition, drive, initiative, and competitiveness characterizes the Red type, or choleric. They are usually hot-headed and hard to tame. They like to change things and claim leadership. This type is also the first one to stand up in a critical situation, as they’re not afraid to speak their minds.

The Yellow type is different. Sanguine people are confident, cheerful, and charismatic. They keep their optimism in every situation and are fun to be around. They make friends easily and are social beings. The Green type, or phlegmatic, is calm, easygoing, balanced, and non-conflictual. They are great listeners, as they prefer not to talk too much, but let the other person do so. They’re amazing team players as they see things in-depth and collaborate easily.

The Blue type, or the melancholic, is often the personality of a pessimistic person. They speak only when they thought everything through and they’ve analyzed all details carefully. They’re also perfectionists, which can slow down their work, and they’re silent in their actions and words. Famous melancholics include Bill Gates and Albert Einstein.

Now, having a predominant personality type doesn’t mean that you don’t share traits with all the others. However, people tend to have mixed Red and Yellow traits, like being extrovert and ambitious, or Green and Blue, implying calmness and analytical skills.

Here’s what to keep in mind when talking to people from certain personality type groups. For example, most people tend to perceive cholerics as forward, rude, or even aggressive – but Reds aren’t mean or bad people! They just like to take initiative. The Yellow type is charismatic, charming, and a great communicator, especially in public. People often perceive them as annoying, over-talkative, and jealous of their charisma in public. Yellows are social beings and get hurt by others’ opinions, but since they’re optimistic and easily distracted, they move on pretty quickly. The Green type is quiet and avoids conflicts at all costs. However, people tend to think they have something to hide because…