Shortform Books

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.

Is Social Security Running Out of Money? No!

Is Social Security running out of money? Why does modern monetary theory say the entitlement program crisis is a lie? Modern monetary theory (MMT) says that social entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicaid will always be safe. This theory goes against the common belief that, due to the number of Baby Boomers, the social entitlement programs will run out of money and future generations will need to find alternative forms of aid. Keep reading for economist and MMT believer Stephanie Kelton’s take on the entitlement crisis.

10% Happier: Review, Background, and Reception

Is Dan Harris’s book 10% Happier worth reading? What are the pros and cons of the book and how was it received upon publication? Former ABC News anchor Dan Harris believes anyone can benefit from meditation. In 10% Happier, he offers a skeptic’s journey through the world of self-help following his meltdown on live television. Harris explains how meditation allowed him to get control of his anxiety, manage his ego, and become a more compassionate person. Below is our 10% Happier review complete with an analysis of the context and approach.

Surrounded by Idiots: Quotes by Thomas Erikson

Board game playing pieces organized as a single leader separated from a group of followers illustrate traditional leadership

Are you looking for Surrounded by Idiots quotes? How can understanding these quotes help you better understand Erikson’s message in the book? Erikson’s framework includes four personality types, and each has a unique way of thinking, behaving, and communicating. He shows you how to navigate conflicts, sharpen your communication, and improve your relationships with your boss and colleagues—all by recognizing their personality types as well as your own. Here are some top quotes from the book with explanations.

How to Satisfy Both Internal and External Customers

What’s the difference between internal and external customers? How can you figure out what each type of customer wants? Management experts Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles explain in their business fable Raving Fans that, in order to satisfy both your internal and external customers, you first need to find out what they want. That’s why feedback is so important to a business. Here’s how to satisfy both types of customers.

What Is the Ideal Gymnastics Body Type?

What is the best body type for gymnastics? Why is being small an advantage? In a sport where athletes are often airborne and rotating, the laws of physics make being small in stature an advantage. Gymnasts also tend to have narrow hips, which is why gymnasts tend to be much younger than other Olympic athletes. Keep reading to learn about the science behind the gymnastics body type.

Being Happy Is a Choice, According to Ichiro Kishimi

Is being happy really a choice? If so, then why do so many people choose to be unhappy? Is it possible to change your mindset? In the book The Courage to Be Disliked, Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga write that being happy is a choice—despite your circumstances in life. They base many of their beliefs on psychologist Alfred Adler’s “individual psychology” school of thought. They propose that even a difficult past cannot make you unhappy if you don’t let it. Read more about Kishimi and Koga’s views on happiness below.

Urge Surfing: Battling Urges With Mindfulness

What is urge surfing? How can practicing the urge surfing technique help you resist the impulse to perform unwanted behaviors? Urge surfing is a therapeutic technique for dealing with unwanted urges. It’s based on the idea that most urges won’t persist for longer than 30 minutes, provided that we don’t give in to the urge or “refresh” it by giving it attention or fighting it. Keep reading to learn about the concept of urge surfing and how it can help you resist unwanted behavior.

Suffering for Christ: The Hallmark of Discipleship

Do you experience suffering as a result of following Christ? Should you expect to? According to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, suffering for Christ is central to the discipleship experience. He argues that, as disciples become more and more like Christ, they are treated more and more like Christ was treated on earth. So, Christians should expect to be persecuted. This is part of the cost of discipleship. Read more to learn about suffering for Christ.

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.