Deciding to be Surrounded by Idiots: Thomas Erikson on Personality Types, Self-Awareness, and Better Team Building // Ep. 151 REPLAY
What if the real reason your team can’t get along... is you?
In this mind-shifting episode, international best-selling author and human behavior expert Thomas Erikson (yes, the guy behind Surrounded by Idiots) joins Decidedly to decode how understanding personality types can transform your business, relationships, and leadership style.
Using the DISC model—Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue—Thomas explains why some people drive you crazy, how to stop sabotaging your own leadership, and what it really takes to build a thriving, cohesive team.
Whether you're scaling a company, leading a team, or navigating family dynamics, this conversation will help you understand yourself and others with clarity, compassion, and maybe a little humor.
KEY TOPICS
- What the DISC personality model really means—and how to identify your type
- Why you might be the one creating conflict on your team (yep, even with good intentions)
- How impatience, perfectionism, or avoidance can sabotage decision-making
- The difference between personality traits and internal motivators—and why both matter in hiring
- How to build a diverse team without sacrificing unity or performance
- Why “winning” isn’t always the goal—and what actually keeps people motivated
- What happens when family and business collide (and how Thomas makes it work)
- How self-awareness becomes your secret weapon in leadership and life
CHAPTERS
- 00:00 Intro
- 00:53 Understanding Different Motivations
- 03:55 Guest Introduction: Thomas Erickson
- 04:36 The DISC Assessment Explained
- 11:38 Self-Awareness and Leadership
- 17:56 Building Effective Teams
- 21:14 Recruitment and Internal Drivers
- 26:43 Personal Stories and Reflections
- 31:04 Balancing Competing Ideas
- 34:50 The Importance of Motivation in Business
- 36:35 Constructive Competition
- 43:21 Defining Success and Legacy
- 49:10 Aligning Family Business Goals
- 59:51 Decision Making Tips for Business Owners
- 01:02:23 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
CONNECT WITH US
- www.decidedlypodcast.com
- Watch this episode on YouTube!
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Join us on Instagram: @decidedlypodcast
- Join us on Facebook
- Shawn’s Instagram: @shawn_d_smith
- Sanger’s Instagram: @sangersmith
SANGER’S BOOK: A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact
SHAWN’S BOOK: Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want
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CONNECT WITH THOMAS ERIKSON
- Website: https://www.surroundedbyidiots.com/en/
- Books: https://www.surroundedbyidiots.com/en/books/
- Instagram: @thomaseriksonwriter
Thomas Erikson is a behaviorist and the bestselling author of the Surrounded By series about human behaviors. The series has been translated into close to 60 languages and has sold over 8 million copies.
His mission is to make people’s lives easier by making them more aware of themselves and helping them better understand what it takes to achieve the best possible communication.
He is a highly sought-after public speaker, giving 120 keynote speeches annually on topics such as human behaviors, self-awareness, narcissism, and leadership.
Thomas is a mentor to top-level executives and entrepreneurs all over Europe. He lives by the simple quote: You can’t change somebody else, but you can change yourself.