Surrounded By Idiots Quotes
"Understanding human behavior is a never-ending task, an endless pursuit to know the how, what, and why behind a person’s choices."
"The most important lesson that you can walk away with is that the idiots who surround you are, in fact, not idiots at all."
"Anyone can use the frameworks outlined in this book to get ahead in the game of life."
"Life went on with work, family, and career, and I continued to pigeonhole people into two groups—good and sensible people and all the rest."
"This book is about what is perhaps the world’s most widely used method to describe the differences in human communication."
"No matter what you learn about yourself and others, take notes, underline things, and engage with the material."
"Every person reacts in a habitual manner in similar situations."
"We can recognize ourselves in certain behavior patterns, but other forms of behavior we neither recognize nor understand."
"No matter how you choose to behave, no matter how you are perceived, you are fine."
"It’s more about the person using it than the tool itself."
"We are different, and in my opinion, pointing that out can be something positive if you do it in the right way."
"This book is your introduction to human behavior and dialogue. The rest is up to you."
"Words can have incredible power, but the words we choose and how we use them vary."
"You help other people understand you by creating a secure arena for communication—on their terms."
"Maybe the problem will resolve itself. Maybe we’ll get a report of what went wrong, but nothing is done to fix the problem."
"A Blue is prepared to dive deep to get everything exactly 100 percent correct."
"If the Trail Doesn’t Match the Map, There’s Something Wrong with the Trail."
"Logical and rational thinking is critical to a Blue."
"Under normal circumstances, they’re very calm and balanced. Probably because they keep tabs on everything."
"Nothing said previously would necessarily bother a Red, because he is more task oriented than relationship oriented."
"It’s impossible to find arguments that a true Blue will accept."
"Learning something new isn’t always the easiest of tasks. It may seem simple, but it’s not easy."
"Body language refers to all forms of nonverbal communication, conscious as well as unconscious."
"Greens will reduce the speed. It doesn’t matter what the deadline is. The most important thing is always going to be how people feel."
"Let Greens come to you. Do not force yourself on them. In time, when they trust you, they’ll relax and become more natural."
"Speed has no value in itself. If a heightened tempo risks destroying the cooperation in the group, Greens will reduce the speed."
"Blues move less than others. When they stand, they stand still. There’s not that much swaying and walking."
"A Blue’s voice is restrained and subdued. They don’t make much of a fuss about themselves."
"Slow. At least if we compare it to others’. Speed is of no interest."
"The most important insights, however, I gained behind the scenes."
"Good communication is often a matter of adapting to others."
"If you agree with me, then you’re intelligent. However, if you don’t agree with me, then you are clearly and undoubtedly an idiot."
"Our natural condition is to exhibit our core behavior. Our 'unnatural' behavior is to continually adapt to others."
"In the best of worlds, everyone can be themselves and everything functions smoothly from the word go."
"Everyone agrees at all times and conflicts don’t exist at all."
"No matter who you are—Red, Yellow, Green, or Blue, or a combination of multiple colors—you will always be in the minority."
"Most of the people you encounter will be different from you."
"A realist knows that the only constant in life is change."
"If we're not making immediate headway, then all our work has been a waste."
"I just wanted to remind you about the meeting tomorrow at eleven."
"A Red’s natural instinct to win any given situation will then take over completely."
"A Yellow dives into the task without the slightest idea what to do or how to do it."
"A Green is a relational person and doesn’t like to offend."
"A Blue knows exactly what he’s done and he has a far better eye for details than you do."
"I can admit that at the time I was an inexperienced and ineffective boss."
"It’s difficult to criticize a perfectionist."
"Despite their flexibility and creativity, Yellows are actually the most difficult to change."
"Critiquing a Green can be cruel. They will feel bad and will simply withdraw and shut down."
"Some people take an eternity to make a simple decision, and it drives me crazy."
"Sitting and thinking about things leads nowhere."
"Don’t be intimidated by the fact that sometimes I’m a little too pushy."
"It’s not how much you know or how clever you are, but what you actually do."
"People should keep in mind that you can work without talking all the time."
"That’s why I always approach any problem with new, fresh eyes."
"Don’t take life so seriously. We live only once."
"With a smile. You can get very far with a smile."
"I wouldn’t make it being locked away like that."
"But now I’m glad that I took risks because it’s taken me somewhere."
"But those red-tape jackasses, well… I remember once I was working on this project."