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How to get the most out of your colleagues, depending on their personality type

Abridged Edition

Penguin Readers Level 7: Surrounded by Idiots (ELT Graded Reader)

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online. 
 
Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. 
 
The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers&rsquo; story comprehension and develop vocabulary. 
 
Surrounded by Idiots, a Level 7 Reader, is B2 in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future perfect simple, mixed conditionals, past perfect continuous, mixed conditionals, more complex passive forms and modals for deduction in the past. 
 
Do you ever think you're the only one making any sense? Or have you tried to persuade someone of something, with no success? Surrounded by Idiots offers a simple, yet creative way for assessing and dealing with the personalities of people we communicate with&mdash;both in and out of the office. 
 
Visit the Penguin Readers website 
Exclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

Thomas Erikson is a Swedish behavioural expert, bestselling author and active lecturer. For more than 20 years, he has travelled across Europe delivering lectures and seminars in Swedish and in English to executives and managers in companies including IKEA, Coca Cola, Microsoft, Volvo and KIA Motors. Surrounded by Idiots (Omgiven Av Idioter) is a Swedish runaway bestseller, selling more than 1 million copies in Sweden alone. It has sold over 3 million copies worldwide, since it was first published in 2014, and has been translated into 55 languages. For more information about the author and his work visit thomaserikson.com.

With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction. 
 
Surrounded by Idiots, a Level 7 Reader, is B2 in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future perfect simple, past perfect continuous, mixed conditionals, more complex passive forms and modals for deduction in the past. 
 
Do you ever think you're the only one making any sense? Or have you tried to persuade someone of something, with no success? Surrounded by Idiots offers a simple, yet creative way for assessing and dealing with the personalities of people we communicate with&mdash;both in and out of the office.

How to Stop Lies and Half-truths Ruining Your Life

Surrounded by Liars

From the Sunday Times bestselling author of the international phenomenon Surrounded by Idiots. 
 
Studies suggest two people who have never met before will tell three lies within the first five minutes. Astounding. But why? 
 
Why do we choose to lie even when we know it's wrong? To protect the people we love? To paint ourselves in a better light? To win short-lived praise? Or, are there simply far more obscure reasons behind why we lie? 
 
In Surrounded by Liars, international bestselling author and behavioural expert Thomas Erikson unpacks the psychological reasons behind why we lie, and reveals the impact lying has on our relationships. 
 
With the help of the behavioural model made famous in Surrounded by Idiots, discover how to detect the liars in your life and shatter their deception for good!

Or, How to Slay the Time, Energy and Soul Suckers in Your Life

Surrounded by Vampires

'With his trademark humor and practical insights, Erikson will help you vanquish the 'energy vampires' in your life-even when it turns out you're the villain! Using his wildly successful behavior-based system, you'll learn how self-awareness is the key to preserving your time, energy, and sanity-no matter what comes your way.'

Gay Hendricks, bestselling author of THE BIG LEAP

'Thomas Erikson just gets it-this book is equal parts logical, emotionally astute, and gut-wrenchingly funny. His observations are studied in a way that don't come across as either snarky or preachy-he's one of us and sees what we have always known-vampires are real! This book gives you tools to ward off those who would try to suck out your joy. Buy it!'

Jim McPartlin, author of THE ENNEAGRAM AT WORK

From the Sunday Times and international bestselling author of Surrounded by Idiots 
 
Do you often feel exhausted by conversations? 
Are there people in your life with belittle you through words or actions? 
Or, do you have colleagues who take up your time and don't actually do much? 
 
You could be surrounded by vampires! International bestselling author and behavioural expert Thomas Erikson will help you recognise and deal with the four most common vampires. 
 
Be it time, energy, attention or habit vampires, these ubiquitous social villains can leave you feeling drained and depleted. Whether they're lurking in your office, hiding amongst friends and family, or invading your thoughts, vampires can be found all around you. 
 
Fortunately, no human or habit Vampire can survive when the sun shines on them. With the help of the behavioural model made famous in Surrounded by Idiots, Thomas Erikson will help you spot the vampires around you and find your light to vanish their influence for good.

Or, How to Stop Other People's Egos Ruining Your Life

Surrounded by Narcissists

'Outstanding . . . Erikson impresses with his trademark facility for making research-based discussions accessible and entertaining, and readers will appreciate the insightful guidance. This is another home run from Erikson.'

From the Sunday Times bestselling author of Surrounded by Idiots 
 
Are you overshadowed by the narcissists in your life? Are you worn out by their constant demands for attention, their absolute belief they are right (even when clearly they are not), their determination to do what they want (regardless of impact), and their baffling need to control everyone and everything around them? 
 
In this thought-provoking, sanity-saving book, Thomas Erikson helps you understand what makes narcissists tick and, crucially, how to handle them without wearing yourself out in the process. With the help of the behavioural model made famous in Surrounded by Idiots, Erikson provides all the tools you need to manage not just the narcissists around you but everyday narcissism as well - itself becoming more widespread in this age of social media. Engaging and practical, Surrounded by Narcissists will help you free yourself from narcissistic agendas so you can pursue a happier, more fulfilling and successful life.

Or, How to Succeed When Everything's Gone Bad

Surrounded by Setbacks

How to handle everything (and everyone) around you when all hell breaks loose, from the international bestselling author of Surrounded by Idiots. 
 
Not everything goes the way we want it to - the world or people around us sometimes just spin out of control. Just consider the Covid pandemic for starters. Or how about that mad neighbour you have living next-door to you? Or when work seems to be going down the toilet when the competition keep outsmarting you? So how do you handle everything life throws your way when you'd really prefer to tell everyone to get stuffed? 
 
Thomas Erikson will help you turn adversity into success with the help of the behavioural model made famous in Surrounded by Idiots. Starting by reminding us that life is as it is, Erikson helps you see that it is in fact useless to try to control everything happening around you. Instead of protesting when life throws you curveballs, focus instead on how to handle them. Just as you keep the weeds away from the garden to provide space and amazing flowers, you need to find an approach to adversity that works for you and will give you the chance to turn everything into success. Surrounded by Setbacks will help you pinpoint the approach that works for you and will entertain and empower you in equal measure.

or, How to Deal with Idiots at Work

Surrounded by Bad Bosses and Lazy Employees

Surrounded by idiots at work? Fed up with a bad boss or lazy colleagues? Thomas Erikson, author of the runaway international bestseller Surrounded by Idiots, will help you handle them and get things done, the right way

'[An] encouraging treatise . . . The dual focus on both employee and manager separates this from the pack.'

Surrounded by idiots at work? Fed up with a bad boss or lazy colleagues? Thomas Erikson, author of the runaway international bestseller Surrounded by Idiots, will help you handle them and get things done, the right way 
 
Why is good leadership so rare? Everyone has to manage up to some extent but frankly some bosses are worse than others. If you're being driven crazy by a micro-manager, frequently drown under your boss's unreasonable expectations or struggle with being handed out responsibilities but no authority international behavioural expert Thomas Erikson is here to help. 
 
Drawing on the simple four-colour system that made Surrounded by Idiots a global bestseller, Erikson shows how understanding your boss's behavioural tendencies as well as your own will lead to a more harmonious and productive workplace. He also sets out what characterises an exemplary leader type and how you can adapt your behaviour to model it. Because there are two sides to every coin, Erikson also looks at employees themselves and why some colleagues frequently underachieve and what you can do to change this. 
 
Written with Erikson's signature humour and warmth, Surrounded by Bad Bosses (and Lazy Employees) will help you deal with the most hopeless managers and employees you can imagine - and keep you entertained along the way.

Thomas Erikson

Books by Thomas Erikson

Articles featuring Thomas Erikson

Fascinating books about Psychology

How to get the most out of your colleagues, depending on their personality type

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