Summary of Thomas Erikson's Surrounded by Idiots

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

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#1 Everything you say to someone is filtered through his frames of reference, biases, and preconceived ideas. What remains is the message that he understands. You can't change how the listener functions, but you can adjust yourself to how he wants to be treated in order to be more effective in your communication.

#2 All communication is based on the listener’s terms. You help others understand you by creating a secure environment for communication, on their terms. Then they can use their energy to understand rather than to consciously or unconsciously react to your manner of communicating.

#3 We can’t calculate everything, but we can still understand the basics of human communication. We can avoid the most blatant blunders by understanding the basics of human communication.

#4 There are two situations in which you can be yourself: when you’re alone in a room, and when everyone else is exactly like you. In any other situation, it might be a good idea to understand how you are perceived and learn how other people function.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Apr 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669381389

IRB Media

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Insights on Thomas Erikson's Surrounded by Idiots

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 6

Insights from Chapter 7

Insights from Chapter 8

Insights from Chapter 9

Insights from Chapter 10

Insights from Chapter 11

Insights from Chapter 12

Insights from Chapter 13

Insights from Chapter 14

Insights from Chapter 15

Insights from Chapter 16

Insights from Chapter 17

Insights from Chapter 18

Insights from Chapter 19

Insights from Chapter 20

Insights from Chapter 21

Insights from Chapter 22

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

Everything you say to someone is filtered through his frames of reference, biases, and preconceived ideas. What remains is the message that he understands. You can't change how the listener functions, but you can adjust yourself to how he wants to be treated in order to be more effective in your communication.

#2

All communication is based on the listener’s terms. You help others understand you by creating a secure environment for communication, on their terms. Then they can use their energy to understand rather than to consciously or unconsciously react to your manner of communicating.

#3

We can’t calculate everything, but we can still understand the basics of human communication. We can avoid the most blatant blunders by understanding the basics of human communication.

#4

There are two situations in which you can be yourself: when you’re alone in a room, and when everyone else is exactly like you. In any other situation, it might be a good idea to understand how you are perceived and learn how other people function.

#5

Everyone is different, and in my opinion, pointing that out can be something positive if you do it in the right way. However, improper use of every tool can be harmful.

Insights from Chapter 2

#1

We are all different, and it is the combination of heredity and environment that determines our behavior. The temperament and character traits we have inherited affect our behavior, and this process begins at the genetic stage.

#2

My core values are the things I learned from my parents as a child or that I learned in school when I was very young. They are deeply embedded in my character, and I know they are right.

#3

The next layer is my attitudes, which are not exactly the same thing as core values. Attitudes are formed opinions about something based on your own experiences or on conclusions you have drawn from encounters in your life. They can change if you have a number of positive