Chapters

00:57 Exploring ‘Surrounded by Bad Bosses’

15:01 The Importance of Communication Styles

19:29 Leadership Dynamics and Trust

22:26 The Power of Admitting Uncertainty

25:27 Understanding Leadership and Management

29:30 The Role of Self-Awareness in Leadership

32:43 The Need for Purpose in Leadership

36:08 Cultural Expectations of Leadership

40:22 The Disconnect Between Expertise and Leadership

Summary

In this second part, the focus shifts to *Surrounded by Bad Bosses* and the everyday psychology of working with - and being - a boss. Thomas traces the path from his earlier books to a “two‑books‑in‑one” format that helps managers and employees understand each other’s realities. He argues most bad bosses aren’t malicious - they’re unaware - and makes the case that self‑awareness is the best predictor of leadership effectiveness because it unlocks people skills and clear communication. Using practical analogies (you need two points on the map to plan any journey), he explains why leaders must know their own pace and adapt up or down to meet others. The discussion covers trust, clarity, and accountability; why expertise doesn’t automatically translate into leadership; how to map a team’s colour mix to anticipate friction (Excel vs PowerPoint people); and why leaders must still lead - listening deeply without abdicating decisions. The hosts connect Thomas’s views to their 3 A’s (Awareness, Acceptance, Action), and the group explores creating conversations that seek causes over blame, so issues get solved rather than recycled.

Keywords

Thomas Erikson, Surrounded by Bad Bosses, leadership, management, trust, communication styles, team dynamics, self-awareness, purpose, clarity, servant leadership debate, mapping team styles, adaptation, psychological safety, expectations, accountability, expertise vs leadership

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Thomas Erikson and His Work

02:42 The Concept Behind 'Surrounded by Idiots'

07:36 Understanding Personality Colours and Their Impact

12:15 Cultural Differences and Commonalities in Human Behaviour

18:07 Finding the Right Work Environment for Your Personality

23:27 The Importance of Self-Awareness in Communication

29:19 Navigating Workplace Relationships and Communication Styles

35:31 Understanding Different Management Styles

39:13 The Importance of Clarity in Leadership

40:15 The Evolution of Thomas Erikson's Work

45:28 Connecting with Audiences Through Social Media

Summary

We kick off Season 2 with a barnstormer of a podcast! It was so big we had to split it into two sections! Today is part 1, where Swedish behaviourist and bestselling author Thomas Erikson introduces *Surrounded by Idiots* and the colour-based interpretation of the DISC model. He explains why the provocative title works as a mirror for our own communication blind spots and why most people are blends of colours rather than single types. The conversation explores universal patterns he’s observed worldwide - despite cultural differences - and practical ways to adapt when you don’t yet know someone’s style (“go green”: talk less, listen more, ask open questions). Thomas contrasts natural style vs work style, warns that long-term over‑adaptation - especially across opposite colours (e.g., red at work, green at home) - can lead to stress and burnout, and encourages people to seek environments where they can thrive. He and the hosts discuss labels vs helpful language, clarity vs endless meetings, and why communication - not process - causes most workplace friction. Thomas shares early-career lessons from being a “lousy boss,” underscores personal responsibility in conflicts, and previews the expanded edition of *Surrounded by Idiots* with added material on motivations/drivers and answers to the most frequent reader questions, refined for a wider audience.

Keywords

Thomas Erikson, Surrounded by Idiots, personality colours, DISC colours, communication, listening, cultural differences, behaviourism, self-awareness, interpersonal skills, workplace fit, burnout risk, mentoring, adaptation, Finnish culture, clarity, expanded edition

Join hosts Ken and Debra Corey for an eye-opening conversation with Grace Judson – a leadership coach, former Fortune 500 executive (25+ years at EMC, Munich Re, HP), and author of The Five Deadly Shoulds of Office Politics. Grace shares how embracing leadership humility and vulnerability can transform your leadership mindset and team culture.

We delve into building a coaching culture where managers coach rather than command, fostering psychological safety so even quiet voices are heard, and empowering your people without falling into common traps. Grace discusses her “three resistance monsters” framework for effective change management, revealing why communicating the “why” of change (not just the how) is critical to gaining buy-in – echoing Simon Sinek’s emphasis on purpose. She also tackles trust and empowerment: why trust is the foundation of any great team, how leaders can rebuild trust after missteps, and how true empowerment involves guidance and clarity (not just tossing people in the deep end). Grace candidly challenges conventional wisdom on office politics and the “deadly shoulds,” showing how to navigate workplace dynamics with authenticity and courage.

This episode is packed with real-life stories – from Ken’s own lesson in humility to wisdom from thought leaders like Alan Alda (on listening), Brené Brown (on vulnerability), and Grace Hopper (on leading vs managing). Grace even touches on her OHIMA 2024 keynote on the emotional, people-centric side of change leadership, underscoring the human heart of successful change.

Tune in for a masterclass on leading with empathy, clarity, and courage – perfect for senior HR professionals, seasoned executives, and anyone aspiring to lead positive change. Don’t forget to subscribe to Corey-osity Unleashed, leave a review, follow us on LinkedIn, and visit https://stepituphr.com/corey-osityunleashed for more insights and episodes.

Keywords:

#LeadershipHumility #CoachingCulture #PsychologicalSafety #ChangeManagement #LeadershipMindset #OfficePolitics #TeamDynamics #TrustAndEmpowerment #EmployeeEngagement #ChangeLeadership