What we’re reading this month

Have you ever thought to yourself, why am I surrounded by idiots? It’s ok, you can be honest. 

Over the past month, my commutes on the TTC were often met with a mix of questioning glares and humour-filled side smirks as people caught a glance of the title of our most recent Harbinger ‘Book Club’ read, Surrounded by Idiots: The Four Types of Human Behavior and How to Effectively Communicate with Each in Business (and in Life) by Thomas Erikson.  

At Harbinger, we’re always in search of a good read, especially when there are insights to be had that help us and our clients. It’s even better when we can have some fun along the way, and this novel offered a few insights we all felt were worth sharing.  

We had initially selected this book for its parallels to the DiSC profile, since our team has taken this assessment in the past. While there are similar themes, this book offers a more practical guide in comparison to DiSC, and focuses on human behaviour and communication styles as described through a colour model of 4 personality types including:   

• The most dominant colour and personality type is Red: these individuals are typically bold, direct, decisive, and results-oriented but may come across as assertive or impatient.  

• Like a stage spotlight, Yellow is the most influential colour: they are social, enthusiastic, creative and persuasive individuals but can sometimes be seen as scattered or unrealistic.  

• When seeking stability, Green is the colour to find: they are usually calm, loyal, supportive and reliable, but may resist change and struggle with decision making. 

• The colour that is most analytical is Blue: they are often very detail-oriented, precise, logical, and cautious, but may be overly critical or rigid. 

As I reflected on the personality types, I realized I saw pieces of myself in each one. I’m results-driven and assertive like a Red, drawn to structure and details like a Blue, and I strive to remain calm and grounded under pressure like a Green. But at my core, I’m a Yellow and thrive on connection and creativity. As quickly as I was able to identify my most prominent colour and personality type, I started noticing those of my colleagues and clients, which allowed me to reflect on the overall message of this book.  

At the core, it’s not necessarily about identifying yourself with only one colour, or one way of being, but rather recognizing that everyone brings a unique ability and set of characteristics to their work and life. As the author Erikson shares, “But the most important lesson that you can walk away with is that the idiots who surround you are, in fact, not idiots at all”. No one is really an “idiot” we just communicate and work differently; when we take the time to identify, reflect, and learn, we can better show up for those around us through our ways of communication.  

This read not only helped us better understand each other but also reminded us how important empathy and adaptability are in every interaction, whether that be with clients, colleagues, or friends. Within our Book Club it sparked a meaningful conversation around communication and team dynamics, revealing practical insights we can apply in our work. 

With that in mind, we’re excited to keep the ‘Book Club’ momentum going with our next pick which we’ll share with you soon. In the meantime, if you’re looking for another read, last month we read Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon which explores the topic of creativity and how to reignite innovation and imagination. If you have a recommendation for a great read, please let us know. We’re always open to a great conversation about how Harbinger builds its client teams based on our individual strengths and styles.  

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Harbinger is a Toronto-based North American marketing agency with expertise in product launches. We help brands get noticed and purchased.