5 Communication-Enhancing Books Like Surrounded by Idiots

Do you enjoy books that delve into the complexities of human communication and personality?

If so, you might be a fan of Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson.

This book explores the different ways in which people communicate and make decisions, and offers practical strategies for improving communication with people of different personality types.

If you’ve enjoyed Surrounded by Idiots and are looking for similar books to read, this article is for you.

In the following paragraphs, we will introduce five books that explore similar themes and offer comparable insights into the mysteries of human behavior and communication.

Books Like Surrounded by Idiots

1. The Culture Map by Erin Meyer

The Culture Map is a book about how cultural differences can impact communication and business relationships.

The author, Erin Meyer, is a professor at INSEAD and has spent years studying and consulting on cross-cultural communication.

In the book, Meyer argues that cultural differences can create misunderstandings and miscommunications in a variety of business contexts, including decision-making, communication style, leadership, and negotiation.

She identifies eight different cultural dimensions, including communication style, hierarchical relationships, and risk aversion, and shows how these dimensions can differ between cultures and impact business interactions.

The book is also full of practical tips and strategies for effectively navigating cross-cultural communication and building successful business relationships in a globalized world.

As someone who has worked in a global business context and interacted with people from different cultures, I found the discussion of cultural differences and their impact on communication and business relationships to be particularly relevant and useful.

One thing that I particularly appreciated about the book was the way it provided concrete examples and case studies to illustrate the impact of cultural differences in real-world situations.

It was eye-opening to see how seemingly minor differences in communication style or decision-making processes could lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications, and the book provided valuable insights into how to effectively navigate these differences.

2. Gifts Differing by Isabel Briggs Myers and Peter B. Myers

Gifts Differing is a book about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a psychological tool used to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions.

The book is written by Isabel Briggs Myers and Peter B. Myers, the creators of the MBTI.

According to the book, there are 16 different personality types, each of which is defined by four dichotomies:

  • Extraversion vs. introversion
  • Sensing vs. intuition
  • Thinking vs. feeling
  • Judging vs. perceiving

Each person has a preference for one of the two options in each dichotomy, and these preferences combine to form their unique personality type.

The book argues that understanding these different personality types can help people better understand themselves and others, and can lead to improved communication and relationships.

It provides detailed descriptions of each of the 16 personality types, along with information on their strengths and potential areas for growth.

Overall, Gifts Differing is a comprehensive and informative book about the MBTI and personality type.

As someone who has always been fascinated by personality and how it influences behavior, I was drawn to the concept of the MBTI and how it can be used to better understand ourselves and others.

One thing that I particularly appreciated about the book was the way it emphasized the importance of individuality and the value of differences in personality.

Too often, we hear about certain traits being “better” or “more desirable” than others, but Gifts Differing makes it clear that every personality type has its own unique strengths and areas for growth.

This was a refreshing perspective and one that I think is important for anyone looking to improve their self-awareness and relationships with others.

Overall, I would highly recommend Gifts Differing to anyone who is interested in personality and how it impacts communication and relationships.

It was definitely a valuable read for me, and I’m sure it will be for others as well.

3. Please Understand Me by David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates

Please Understand Me is another book about the different personality types of people and how they can communicate more effectively with each other.

The book is based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a psychological tool used to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions.

According to the book, there are four different temperament types based on the Myers-Briggs dichotomies: guardian, artisan, idealist, and rational.

Each person has a preference for one of the two options in each dichotomy, and these preferences combine to form their unique temperament.

The book argues that understanding these different temperaments can help people communicate more effectively with each other.

For example, guardians may prefer a more structured and organized approach to communication, while artisans may be more flexible and adaptable.

Similarly, idealists may be more focused on harmony and personal connections, while rationals may be more interested in efficiency and logic.

Overall, Please Understand Me provides a clear and concise overview of the MBTI and how it can be applied in a variety of situations, and it offers practical tips and strategies for improving communication with people of different temperaments.

4. Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton and Sheila Heen

Difficult Conversations is a book about how to handle challenging discussions in a productive and effective way.

The authors, Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen, argue that most of us struggle with difficult conversations because we tend to approach them in the wrong way.

We either try to avoid the conversation altogether, or become emotionally reactive and lose sight of our goals.

The book provides a framework for approaching difficult conversations in a more constructive way.

It suggests that we can break a difficult conversation down into three basic elements:

  • The “what happened” element
  • The “feelings” element
  • The “identity” element

By focusing on each of these elements and learning to listen actively and communicate openly, we can move beyond the emotional reactions that often derail difficult conversations and find more productive ways to resolve conflicts.

One of the strengths of Difficult Conversations is the way it provides concrete strategies and techniques for handling a wide range of challenging conversations, from personal conflicts to difficult conversations at work.

The authors offer practical tips and examples to help readers better understand how to approach difficult conversations and communicate more effectively.

As someone who has struggled with handling challenging conversations in the past, I found the framework and strategies outlined in the book to be incredibly helpful.

One thing that I particularly appreciated about the book was the emphasis on the importance of listening actively and communicating openly.

Too often, I think we approach difficult conversations with the goal of simply getting our point across, rather than really trying to understand the other person’s perspective.

The techniques outlined in the book for active listening and open communication really resonated with me, and I feel like they will be helpful in future difficult conversations.

5. Type Talk by Otto Kroeger and Janet M. Thuesen

Type Talk is a book about the different personality types of people and how they can communicate more effectively with each other.

The book is based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a psychological tool used to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions.

The book argues that understanding these different personality types can help people communicate more effectively with each other.

For example, people who are more introverted may prefer to communicate in a more low-key, private setting, while people who are more extraverted may prefer a more public, interactive setting.

Similarly, people who are more intuitive may be more interested in abstract ideas and concepts, while people who are more sensing may be more focused on practical, concrete details.

As someone who is interested in psychology and communication, I found Type Talk to be a very informative and insightful book.

The concept of personality types and how they can impact communication is something that I had heard of before, but the book really helped to flesh out the details and provide concrete examples of how it works in practice.

Like ‘Gifts Differing’ above, I particularly appreciated how the book emphasized the importance of understanding and accepting people’s different personality types, rather than trying to force them to conform to a certain way of being.

This is something that I think is often overlooked in discussions of communication, and it was refreshing to see it addressed in such a thorough and thoughtful way.

Summary

The five books introduced in this article offer insights into human behavior, and provide practical strategies for improving communication with people of different personality types.

So whether you’re looking to improve your personal relationships or your professional interactions, these books offer valuable insights and tips to help you thrive.