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Surrounded by Bad Bosses and Lazy Employees

or, How to Deal with Idiots at Work

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Surrounded by Bad Bosses and Lazy Employees

By: Thomas Erikson
Narrated by: David John
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The funny and practical guide on how to deal with difficult managers, colleagues, and teams, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Surrounded by Idiots.

Being driven crazy by a micro-manager? Frequently drowning under your boss's unreasonable expectations? Struggling with being handed out responsibilities but no authority?

Behavioural expert and bestselling author Thomas Erikson is here to help.

In his inspiring – and, at times, funny – guide, Erikson shows how understanding your boss's behavioural tendencies, as well as your own, will lead to a more harmonious and productive workplace. Using his famous four-colour model, he shows you how to:

Decode your boss’s or team’s behaviour


  • Manage up and handle tricky feedback

  • Boost motivation and productivity across different personalities

  • Communicate effectively in even the most frustrating environments
  • Written with Erikson's signature humour and warmth, Surrounded by Bad Bosses (and Lazy Employees) will help you deal with hopeless managers and employees to build better relationships at work – and stay sane in the process.



    'Outstanding . . . Erikson impresses with his trademark facility for making research-based discussions accessible and entertaining' Publishers Weekly

    ‘A good resource for understanding how different personalities communicate and deal with feedback…Everyone should read [it]' Business Insider

    Equal parts logical, emotionally astute, and gut-wrenchingly funny…Buy it!' Jim McPartlin, author of The Enneagram at Work

    Everyone can benefit from this bookBooklist

    © Thomas Erikson 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Career Success Motivation & Self-Improvement Personal Development Personal Success Workplace & Organisational Behavior Workplace Culture Boss Career Employment Leadership

Critic reviews

'[An] encouraging treatise . . . The dual focus on both employee and manager separates this from the pack.'
All stars
Most relevant
As a person mostly interested in things rather than people I find this book an invaluable guide to understanding humans and their behaviour. It's clear and concise, just the way it should be.

Insightful and digestible

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I wish I knew about the disc concept when I was a boss.
would have helped me a great deal.
Knowledge you'll find in this book would definitely help you have a more harmonious relationship with your employees or bosses.

very useful for both bosses and employees

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I thought that this book in no way could match the title that made Thomas Ericsson famous, I was wrong. “Surrounded by Idiots” is a basic book about personality types in general and great fun, this title is about the same types but for work. The book contains information as how it is to be employed as it is how to treat your employees. Despite having read many titles in management this was an eye-opener. I cannot recommend enough.

As “Surrounded by Idiots” but for work

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