Communication Archives

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 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 Give Feedback to Different Kinds of Employees

How would you deliver negative feedback to an extroverted yet combative employee? How would that differ from the feedback you’d give to a meticulous and rules-oriented person? In his book Surrounded by Idiots, Thomas Erikson says that, when delivering negative feedback, it’s crucial to know the type of person you’re delivering it to. Someone with a Red personality will fight you on every point, while somebody with a Green personality might cry. Preparation is everything. Here’s how to give feedback to employees with different personality colors.

Productive Conflict: How to Agree to Disagree

What is productive conflict? How can you resolve conflict without resorting to an argument? According to Ray Dalio, productive conflict is the key to successful cooperation. The only trick is to engage in productive conflict without triggering emotional explosions. Your goal is not to prove that you’re right, but rather to find out which view is true and decide what to do about it. Dalio offers the following tactics for productively disagreeing with others.

Reading the Body Language of the 4 Personality Types

How good are you at reading the body language of others? How should you take it if somebody doesn’t give you personal space—or if they cross their arms? Thomas Erikson, the creator of personality typing by color, explains that the body language of the four colors varies drastically. It’s important to understand why somebody is acting a certain way so you don’t misinterpret their actions. Here’s a breakdown of the body language of the four colors.

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.

How to Work With a Green Personality Type

What are the traits of a Green personality type? In what ways should you adapt your behavior when working with a Green-dominant person? According to Thomas Erikson in Surrounded by Idiots, the Green personality (which Hippocrates would call “phlegmatic”) is the most common. He labels Green types as the most balanced and describes them as a little bit of every color. Green personalities are even-tempered, kind, and empathetic—and they can go with the flow. Erikson says they can be perceived as shy or unsure of themselves. Keep reading for advice on how to work with a Green-dominant person.

How to Work With a Blue Personality Type

What are the traits of a Blue personality type? In what ways should you adapt your behavior when working with a Blue-dominant person? According to Thomas Erikson in Surrounded by Idiots, Blue-dominant people are extremely organized. Erikson says they have a place for everything, know where every cent goes, and keep detailed schedules. It would not be unusual for a Blue type to plan meals weeks in advance. Keep reading for advice on how to work with a Blue-dominant person.