Have you ever met one of those people that can only be described as hard work? You know those people you love and care for, but you’re secretly embarrassed to introduce to them your friendship group. Well, how would you feel if I told you, you might be that person?
The truth is we are all that person to someone because, as we were rightly told in primary school, we are all special… in one way or another. I guess to a certain degree, it’s true.
Diving into Human Nature
The book Surrounded by Idiots is based around this topic. I’ve studied the book, and can honestly say I haven’t met you, but I already know you. This is because the book looks at behaviour types and classifies them into four main personality groups.
Although the author, Thomas Erikson, clearly states this book does not give you a qualification in psychology, it truly gives the reader an introduction to understanding the people around them. It has given me an insight into the people who fall heavily into one group and into the people whose personality has a dash of all four personality groups.
Reflections Aren’t Always Beautiful
The book includes information that honestly not everyone will be happy to find out. Thomas Erikson not only shares information about what each personality is like but also how each personality is seen by its counterparts. Newsflash! It’s not always positive.
Surrounded by Idiots or Surrounded by Uniqueness?
Despite the level of unease the text brings, it is attention-grabbing and compelling to say the least. If you read it with an open mind, the book serves its purpose.
The book has given me clear information about how to interact with people in a work environment and a business setting. Most importantly, the book helped me understand people like the aforementioned friend who may or may not do well when introduced to the friendship group.
Reading the book will give you insight into the people who are forever dreaming but never doing, into the people who are straightforward and seem highly negative to the majority. It also sheds light on the doers: the people who only know how to get things done, even if it means treading on everyone else’s toes in the process.
To the Window
Reading this book has not turned me into a qualified psychologist. But, I can honestly say I haven’t met you, but I already know you. This is because the book is a clear guide to understanding the people I have met and the ones that I will get to meet in the future. My window of understanding has been opened, and in the end, my compassion for others has widened. If you really want to understand the people in your world more, this book is for you.
P.S. If you find out which personality type I’ve got, feel free to smirk while I tell you an elaborate story clearly demonstrating a dominant side of my personality.
Title: I Haven’t Met You, but I Already Know You
Author: Leonie Thomas
Date Published: 31.8.2023
Leonie Thomas 