<p>What if the real reason your team can’t get along... is you?</p><p>In this mind-shifting episode, international best-selling author and human behavior expert <strong>Thomas Erikson</strong> (yes, the guy behind <em>Surrounded by Idiots</em>) joins <em>Decidedly</em> to decode how understanding personality types can transform your business, relationships, and leadership style.</p><p>Using the DISC model—Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue—Thomas explains why some people drive you crazy, how to stop sabotaging your own leadership, and what it really takes to build a thriving, cohesive team.</p><p>Whether you&#39;re scaling a company, leading a team, or navigating family dynamics, this conversation will help you understand yourself and others with clarity, compassion, and maybe a little humor.</p><p><strong>KEY TOPICS</strong></p><ul><li><p>What the DISC personality model really means—and how to identify your type</p></li><li><p>Why <em>you</em> might be the one creating conflict on your team (yep, even with good intentions)</p></li><li><p>How impatience, perfectionism, or avoidance can sabotage decision-making</p></li><li><p>The difference between personality traits and internal motivators—and why both matter in hiring</p></li><li><p>How to build a diverse team <em>without</em> sacrificing unity or performance</p></li><li><p>Why “winning” isn’t always the goal—and what actually keeps people motivated</p></li><li><p>What happens when family and business collide (and how Thomas makes it work)</p></li><li><p>How self-awareness becomes your secret weapon in leadership and life</p></li></ul><p><strong>CHAPTERS</strong></p><ul><li><p>00:00 Intro</p></li><li><p>00:53 Understanding Different Motivations</p></li><li><p>03:55 Guest Introduction: Thomas Erickson</p></li><li><p>04:36 The DISC Assessment Explained</p></li><li><p>11:38 Self-Awareness and Leadership</p></li><li><p>17:56 Building Effective Teams</p></li><li><p>21:14 Recruitment and Internal Drivers</p></li><li><p>26:43 Personal Stories and Reflections</p></li><li><p>31:04 Balancing Competing Ideas</p></li><li><p>34:50 The Importance of Motivation in Business</p></li><li><p>36:35 Constructive Competition</p></li><li><p>43:21 Defining Success and Legacy</p></li><li><p>49:10 Aligning Family Business Goals</p></li><li><p>59:51 Decision Making Tips for Business Owners</p></li><li><p>01:02:23 Final Thoughts and Takeaways</p></li></ul><p><strong>CONNECT WITH US</strong></p><ul><li><p><a href="http://www.decidedlypodcast.com"><u>⁠⁠www.decidedlypodcast.com⁠⁠</u></a></p></li><li><p><strong>Watch this episode on</strong><a href="https://youtu.be/Ziia-zOGhes"><strong> </strong><u>⁠</u><strong>YouTube</strong><u>⁠</u></a>!</p></li><li><p><strong>Subscribe on</strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDL3U7XhG_kdyxoMFL1M8cQ/videos"><strong> </strong><u>⁠⁠</u><strong>YouTube</strong><u>⁠⁠</u></a></p></li><li><p><strong>Join us on</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/decidedlypodcast/"><strong> </strong><u>⁠⁠</u><strong>Instagram</strong><u>⁠⁠</u></a><strong>: </strong>@decidedlypodcast</p></li><li><p><strong>Join us on</strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/decidedlypodcast"><strong> </strong><u>⁠⁠</u><strong>Facebook</strong><u>⁠⁠</u></a></p></li><li><p><strong>Shawn’s</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/shawn_d_smith/"><strong> </strong><u>⁠⁠</u><strong>Instagram</strong><u>⁠⁠</u></a><strong>: </strong>@shawn_d_smith</p></li><li><p><strong>Sanger’s</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sangersmith/"><strong> </strong><u>⁠⁠</u><strong>Instagram</strong><u>⁠⁠</u></a><strong>:</strong> @sangersmith</p></li></ul><p><strong>SANGER’S BOOK:</strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Life-Rich-Significance-Transforming-Meaningful/dp/1952654769"> <u>⁠⁠A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact⁠⁠</u></a></p><p><strong>SHAWN’S BOOK:</strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Plateau-Jumping-What-Change-When-ebook/dp/B0CTXHP5HR"><strong> </strong><u>⁠⁠Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want⁠⁠</u></a> </p><p><strong>MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?</strong></p><p>At<a href="https://www.decidedlywealth.com"> <u>⁠⁠Decidedly Wealth Management⁠⁠</u></a>, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. </p><p><strong>LEARN MORE: </strong><a href="http://www.decidedlywealth.com"><u>⁠⁠www.decidedlywealth.com⁠⁠</u></a></p><p><strong>SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER:</strong><a href="https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001aeU_pPBHJPNJWJBdVbaci6bjGIuEJurH12xHBWDEVT_NxyCadMd7wLSZjcEZglkSjDjehuIbTHD8nABOIdV69ctfYpSzg24RCIytetBUrlIPPKgaGzjGZ8DkM0Wp1LMjbErcYUur7PbZGjeVo4gyXlz821AoJGZR"><u>⁠⁠ https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001aeU_pPBHJPNJWJBdVbaci6bjGIuEJurH12xHBWDEVT_NxyCadMd7wLSZjcEZglkSjDjehuIbTHD8nABOIdV69ctfYpSzg24RCIytetBUrlIPPKgaGzjGZ8DkM0Wp1LMjbErcYUur7PbZGjeVo4gyXlz821AoJGZR⁠⁠</u></a>   </p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH THOMAS ERIKSON</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Website:</strong><a href="https://www.surroundedbyidiots.com/en/"><strong> </strong><u>⁠https://www.surroundedbyidiots.com/en/⁠</u></a></p></li><li><p><strong>Books:</strong><a href="https://www.surroundedbyidiots.com/en/books/"><strong> </strong><u>⁠https://www.surroundedbyidiots.com/en/books/⁠</u></a></p></li><li><p><strong>Instagram: </strong>@thomaseriksonwriter<strong> </strong></p></li></ul><p>Thomas Erikson is a behaviorist and the bestselling author of the Surrounded By series about human behaviors. The series has been translated into close to 60 languages and has sold over 8 million copies. </p><p>His mission is to make people’s lives easier by making them more aware of themselves and helping them better understand what it takes to achieve the best possible communication. </p><p>He is a highly sought-after public speaker, giving 120 keynote speeches annually on topics such as human behaviors, self-awareness, narcissism, and leadership. </p><p>Thomas is a mentor to top-level executives and entrepreneurs all over Europe. He lives by the simple quote: You can’t change somebody else, but you can change yourself. </p>

Decidedly I Decision Tips for Business Owners

Sanger Smith and Shawn Smith

Deciding to be Surrounded by Idiots: Thomas Erikson on Personality Types, Self-Awareness, and Better Team Building // Ep. 151 REPLAY

JUN 11, 202564 MIN
Decidedly I Decision Tips for Business Owners

Deciding to be Surrounded by Idiots: Thomas Erikson on Personality Types, Self-Awareness, and Better Team Building // Ep. 151 REPLAY

JUN 11, 202564 MIN

Description

<p>What if the real reason your team can’t get along... is you?</p><p>In this mind-shifting episode, international best-selling author and human behavior expert <strong>Thomas Erikson</strong> (yes, the guy behind <em>Surrounded by Idiots</em>) joins <em>Decidedly</em> to decode how understanding personality types can transform your business, relationships, and leadership style.</p><p>Using the DISC model—Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue—Thomas explains why some people drive you crazy, how to stop sabotaging your own leadership, and what it really takes to build a thriving, cohesive team.</p><p>Whether you&#39;re scaling a company, leading a team, or navigating family dynamics, this conversation will help you understand yourself and others with clarity, compassion, and maybe a little humor.</p><p><strong>KEY TOPICS</strong></p><ul><li><p>What the DISC personality model really means—and how to identify your type</p></li><li><p>Why <em>you</em> might be the one creating conflict on your team (yep, even with good intentions)</p></li><li><p>How impatience, perfectionism, or avoidance can sabotage decision-making</p></li><li><p>The difference between personality traits and internal motivators—and why both matter in hiring</p></li><li><p>How to build a diverse team <em>without</em> sacrificing unity or performance</p></li><li><p>Why “winning” isn’t always the goal—and what actually keeps people motivated</p></li><li><p>What happens when family and business collide (and how Thomas makes it work)</p></li><li><p>How self-awareness becomes your secret weapon in leadership and life</p></li></ul><p><strong>CHAPTERS</strong></p><ul><li><p>00:00 Intro</p></li><li><p>00:53 Understanding Different Motivations</p></li><li><p>03:55 Guest Introduction: Thomas Erickson</p></li><li><p>04:36 The DISC Assessment Explained</p></li><li><p>11:38 Self-Awareness and Leadership</p></li><li><p>17:56 Building Effective Teams</p></li><li><p>21:14 Recruitment and Internal Drivers</p></li><li><p>26:43 Personal Stories and Reflections</p></li><li><p>31:04 Balancing Competing Ideas</p></li><li><p>34:50 The Importance of Motivation in Business</p></li><li><p>36:35 Constructive Competition</p></li><li><p>43:21 Defining Success and Legacy</p></li><li><p>49:10 Aligning Family Business Goals</p></li><li><p>59:51 Decision Making Tips for Business Owners</p></li><li><p>01:02:23 Final Thoughts and Takeaways</p></li></ul><p><strong>CONNECT WITH US</strong></p><ul><li><p><a href="http://www.decidedlypodcast.com"><u>⁠⁠www.decidedlypodcast.com⁠⁠</u></a></p></li><li><p><strong>Watch this episode on</strong><a href="https://youtu.be/Ziia-zOGhes"><strong> </strong><u>⁠</u><strong>YouTube</strong><u>⁠</u></a>!</p></li><li><p><strong>Subscribe on</strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDL3U7XhG_kdyxoMFL1M8cQ/videos"><strong> </strong><u>⁠⁠</u><strong>YouTube</strong><u>⁠⁠</u></a></p></li><li><p><strong>Join us on</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/decidedlypodcast/"><strong> </strong><u>⁠⁠</u><strong>Instagram</strong><u>⁠⁠</u></a><strong>: </strong>@decidedlypodcast</p></li><li><p><strong>Join us on</strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/decidedlypodcast"><strong> </strong><u>⁠⁠</u><strong>Facebook</strong><u>⁠⁠</u></a></p></li><li><p><strong>Shawn’s</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/shawn_d_smith/"><strong> </strong><u>⁠⁠</u><strong>Instagram</strong><u>⁠⁠</u></a><strong>: </strong>@shawn_d_smith</p></li><li><p><strong>Sanger’s</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sangersmith/"><strong> </strong><u>⁠⁠</u><strong>Instagram</strong><u>⁠⁠</u></a><strong>:</strong> @sangersmith</p></li></ul><p><strong>SANGER’S BOOK:</strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Life-Rich-Significance-Transforming-Meaningful/dp/1952654769"> <u>⁠⁠A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact⁠⁠</u></a></p><p><strong>SHAWN’S BOOK:</strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Plateau-Jumping-What-Change-When-ebook/dp/B0CTXHP5HR"><strong> </strong><u>⁠⁠Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want⁠⁠</u></a> </p><p><strong>MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?</strong></p><p>At<a href="https://www.decidedlywealth.com"> <u>⁠⁠Decidedly Wealth Management⁠⁠</u></a>, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. </p><p><strong>LEARN MORE: </strong><a href="http://www.decidedlywealth.com"><u>⁠⁠www.decidedlywealth.com⁠⁠</u></a></p><p><strong>SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER:</strong><a href="https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001aeU_pPBHJPNJWJBdVbaci6bjGIuEJurH12xHBWDEVT_NxyCadMd7wLSZjcEZglkSjDjehuIbTHD8nABOIdV69ctfYpSzg24RCIytetBUrlIPPKgaGzjGZ8DkM0Wp1LMjbErcYUur7PbZGjeVo4gyXlz821AoJGZR"><u>⁠⁠ https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001aeU_pPBHJPNJWJBdVbaci6bjGIuEJurH12xHBWDEVT_NxyCadMd7wLSZjcEZglkSjDjehuIbTHD8nABOIdV69ctfYpSzg24RCIytetBUrlIPPKgaGzjGZ8DkM0Wp1LMjbErcYUur7PbZGjeVo4gyXlz821AoJGZR⁠⁠</u></a>   </p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH THOMAS ERIKSON</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Website:</strong><a href="https://www.surroundedbyidiots.com/en/"><strong> </strong><u>⁠https://www.surroundedbyidiots.com/en/⁠</u></a></p></li><li><p><strong>Books:</strong><a href="https://www.surroundedbyidiots.com/en/books/"><strong> </strong><u>⁠https://www.surroundedbyidiots.com/en/books/⁠</u></a></p></li><li><p><strong>Instagram: </strong>@thomaseriksonwriter<strong> </strong></p></li></ul><p>Thomas Erikson is a behaviorist and the bestselling author of the Surrounded By series about human behaviors. The series has been translated into close to 60 languages and has sold over 8 million copies. </p><p>His mission is to make people’s lives easier by making them more aware of themselves and helping them better understand what it takes to achieve the best possible communication. </p><p>He is a highly sought-after public speaker, giving 120 keynote speeches annually on topics such as human behaviors, self-awareness, narcissism, and leadership. </p><p>Thomas is a mentor to top-level executives and entrepreneurs all over Europe. He lives by the simple quote: You can’t change somebody else, but you can change yourself. </p>