Understanding various personality types will help you lead when “surrounded by idiots”
When you are a leader, you have experienced the feeling of being in a room full of foolheads. Managers and employers usually respond with dissatisfaction but the reality is different. Accepting and integrating in a complex team, and the different personalities of team members are what help leaders to be effective in difficult times. This blog explores the four personality types articulated by Thomas Erikson in his book *Surrounded by Idiots: Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue*, along with practical tactics for leading each of them. It relies on the concepts in the book to do so. Four personality types
Learning to Let Go: A Lesson in Life and Professional Growth
But this is not a piece for you to use as an excuse to give up or quit without trying, especially when perseverance still holds value and your efforts haven’t truly been exhausted despite the challenges you face. Instead, it’s about those honest, soul-searching moments when you know deep down that you’ve given your all, yet you're still struggling to admit it because letting go feels like failure rather than courage. Therefore, rather than forcing more from an already drained heart, you learn to accept what is, honour your effort, and begin transitioning towards peace, renewed purpose, and a
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
The Art of War by Sun Tzu In more recent times researchers have been debating the fact that Sun Tzu – the ancient Chinese strategist – wrote The Art of War. Although much of his life is shrouded in mystery, the records reveal that he lived in the Spring and Autumn period. His perennial military treatise has shaped and influenced thinking in Eastern and Western worlds about leadership, strategy and warfare. The enduring significance of Sun Tzu’s wisdom in business, politics, or self-betterment has underscored the immense force of his ideas. In 13 chapters, the book
Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and Life
Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and Life by Rory Sutherland Rory Sutherland is a prominent British advertising executive and Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK. Known for his wit, creativity, and unconventional approach, Sutherland has become a leading figure in the advertising industry. His work is rooted in behavioural economics, where he explores the irrational side of human behaviour and how it can be harnessed to create value in marketing and business. Sutherland's insights have earned him a reputation as a thought leader who challenges conventional wisdom and encourages
Shinto: The Way Home by Thomas P. Kasulis
Shinto: The Way Home by Thomas P. Kasulis Thomas P. Kasulis is a leading philosopher and an expert in Asian spirituality and thought. He writes extensively about the influence of Japanese philosophy, religion, and culture on humanity. Kasulis held distinguished academic posts including professor at Ohio State University. His work merges the different traditions of East and West with depth and accessibility. Kasulis bridges cultural divides, presenting an Asian spirituality that is accessible to Western readers. The Shinto Way Home by Thomas P. Kasulis is an epic exploration of Shinto, the native spirituality of Japan. It
The Devil you know – Dr Gwen Adshead
The Devil You Know by Dr Gwen Adshead The British forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist Gwen Adshead, known for her work with some of the UK’s most violent and complex offenders, is a leading figure in the field. Adshead has worked with people in high-risk settings, working in the field for more than 30 years, and has experience in many high-security jobs including the notorious Broadmoor Hospital. Her amalgamation of psychiatric expertise combined with a grounding in the human psyche at their fundamental level is key to figuring out what makes people do something vile and violent.
Unbeatable Mind by Mark Divine
Unbeatable Mind: Forge Resiliency and Mental Toughness to Succeed at an Elite Level by Mark Divine Mark Divine is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL commander, entrepreneur, and bestselling author specializing in leadership, mental toughness, and resilience. After an illustrious career in the Navy where he served in successive deployments and was a SEAL trainer, Divine sought to help others develop the mental and physical toughness needed to thrive in high-pressure environments. He founded SEALFIT, a fitness program that marries the Navy SEAL training ethos with holistic well-being philosophies. In everything that Divine does, he stresses that
The Resilience Factor by Andrew Shatte and Karen Reivich
The Resilience Factor by Andrew Shatte and Karen Reivich Andrew Shatte, Ph.D., is a leading expert in resilience and a research professor at the University of Arizona. He has devoted his career to understanding how individuals and organisations can build mental toughness and bounce back from adversity. His co-author, Karen Reivich, Ph.D., is a renowned psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania and an expert in positive psychology. Together, they combine decades of research in cognitive-behavioural therapy and resilience to develop practical, science-backed strategies for cultivating resilience in everyday life. Their work draws on the fields of
A Monk’s Guide to Finding Joy by Gelong Thubten
A Monk's Guide to Finding Joy by Gelong Thubten Gelong Thubten is a Buddhist monk, meditation teacher, and author of books that aim to make mindfulness and compassion accessible to contemporary audiences. Ordained in the Tibetan tradition for over 25 years, he continues to teach meditation all over the world with a blend between ancient wisdom combined with contemporary resonance. Thubten works with universities, businesses, schools, and hospitals looking for practical, actionable techniques for improving well-being, resilience as well as inner peace. A Monk’s Guide to Finding Joy explains how mindfulness and meditation can change life
Training Yourself to Become Anti-Fragile: The Neuropsychology of Resilience
Resilience is the critical factor in surviving life's adversities as this key strength allows one to recover from each obstacle which arises from it. Anti-fragility is a new concept, one that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Learning about the neurobiology of resilience, and antifragility (learning techniques to become anti-fragile), can help us perform even better under fire. The Science of Resilience Resilience is based on neurobiological structures, in brain circuits and neurotransmitter systems. Emotional regulation and stress management are critically affected by the activities of the amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Prefrontal Cortex: This area is involved
