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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

    ©2021 Thomas Erikson (P)2021 Penguin Audio
    Career Success Motivation & Self-Improvement Workplace & Organisational Behaviour Workplace Culture Boss Career Employment Leadership
    All stars
    Most relevant
    The categories he suggests don’t work in my world. Of course I feel closer to some than others and I associate other people with some more than others, but I share characteristics with all the colours and can think of times when I’ve thought through the lense of red, yellow, blue and green. Interesting concept, but it does not accurately capture humanity.

    Pseudoscience

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    I think it's a bad idea to try and pigeonhole people into four personality types. People are far more complicated than that. The Marston DISC system might be useful if you have a social disorder and need help interacting with others but for most people I really think you should take the advice in this book with a huge grain of salt. You'd be better off just working on your general communication skills.

    Questionable advice

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    In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.