Work Archives

What “Ideal Customer Service” Looks Like

What does it mean to have ideal customer service? What steps can you take to ensure your customers leave your business happy? In their book Raving Fans, Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles argue that successful organizations have one common central focus: providing an excellent customer service experience. In their business fable, they outline what the ideal customer service experience looks like and five questions you should ask yourself as a business owner. Continue reading to learn how to improve customer service at your company.

Tips for Communicating With Different Personality Types

How should you adapt your communication to fit each of the four personality colors? Why will a persuasion technique that works for a Red not work for a Blue? When you work with a team of people, you need to keep in mind that not every person shares your personality type. Instead of getting frustrated and feeling like you’re “surrounded by idiots,” you should try adapting your communication style for each personality type. Here are Thomas Erikson’s tips for communicating with different personality types.

Personality and Communication: The 4 Different Styles

Do you work with a wide variety of personalities? Do you ever struggle to interpret their emails or tone? Thomas Erikson, the author of Surrounded by Idiots, categorizes people into four personality colors: Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue. Each personality has unique characteristics and behaviors that can sometimes make working together difficult. Here’s how to better understand the connection between personality and communication style.

Matching Personalities—The Best and Worst Pairings

Have you taken a personality test (whether it be the color model, DISC, or Myers-Briggs)? Which personalities do you match up best with? Which personality types should you avoid? Probably the three most common personality tests are Myers-Briggs, DISC, and Thomas Erikson’s color model. While matching personalities isn’t an exact science, there are certain pairs that tend to match up well—and others that tend to end in disaster. Here, we’ll go over the personality pairings from the top three personality models.

The Federal Job Guarantee: Pros, Cons, and History

Do you think having a job is a fundamental right for all people? What would the pros and cons of a federal job guarantee be? Has congress ever looked into making a program like this? Stephanie Kelton, economist and the author of The Deficit Myth, says that a federal job guarantee is crucial for establishing economic order. However, critics say that a program like this would cost too much and could lead to corruption. Continue reading to learn more about what a federal job guarantee could mean for the United States.

The Benefits of Personality Tests in the Workplace

Are there any benefits to taking a personality test? How can understanding different personality types help you become a better communicator? While not all psychologists agree with the benefits of personality tests, Thomas Erikson (the author of Surrounded by Idiots) believes that personality type knowledge is power. Erikson says that understanding the personality types of others is like understanding another language. Continue reading for the benefits and uses of personality tests, particularly in the workplace.

The 4 Personality Types and Their Stress Triggers

The 25 Cognitive Biases: Doubt Avoidance Tendency

How do the Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue personality types respond to stress? What can you do to help each color relieve their stress? Thomas Erikson, the author of Surrounded by Idiots, says that each of the four different personality colors has unique stress triggers, and so each one must be treated differently. Knowing what stresses out each type of person is especially helpful in the workplace. Continue reading to learn about personality types and stress.

How to Work With a Red Personality Type

What are some of the traits of the red personality type? How can you adapt your behavior to work cooperatively with a red-dominant person? According to Thomas Erikson in Surrounded by Idiots, Red personalities are unapologetically ambitious and self-confident. They like to be in charge and are comfortable taking risks. People with this personality are extroverted and not afraid to speak their mind, even when it causes conflict. Erikson notes that Hippocrates calls this behavior type “choleric.” Here’s how to manage a working relationship with a red-dominant person.

How to Work With a Yellow Personality Type

What traits would you expect from a yellow personality type? In what ways should you adapt your behavior when working with a yellow-dominant person? According to Thomas Erikson in Surrounded by Idiots, Yellow types have a charismatic personality and a bright outlook. Erikson says they see life as a smorgasbord of delights and are the first to try something new. Their driving forces in life are joy and laughter. Erikson writes that Hippocrates refers to this type as “sanguine,” which means “optimist.” Here’s how to work with yellow-dominant people.

Starting a Second Career: Advantages and Pathways

Are you entertaining the idea of starting a second career? What are the advantages of having two careers? A second career is a career you initiate around the midpoint in your working life. According to Peter Drucker, there are two key advantages of starting a second career: 1) avoiding career stagnation, and 2) having an extra opportunity for professional realization. Let’s explore Drucker’s notion of a second career, its advantages, and how to start it.