Surrounded by vampires: A useful read for protecting time and energy at work

At NETO Innovation, we often talk about innovation, impact, and execution. But there is another topic that matters just as much and is discussed far less: energy. Not technological energy. Human energy.

That is why we recommend Surrounded by Vampires by Thomas Erikson.

This book is not about horror stories or extreme workplace toxicity. It is about something more common and more damaging over time: people, behaviors, and habits that quietly drain your energy, attention, and focus.

What Erikson means by “vampires”

In this book, “vampires” are not villains. They are not evil. They are people or patterns that take more energy than they give back. They can be:

• Colleagues who turn every meeting into a long monologue,

• Partners who constantly create urgency without clarity,

• Managers who change priorities every week,

• Or even habits we’ve developed ourselves.

The key point is simple: energy loss is not always loud. Most of the time, it is subtle. And because it is subtle, it often goes unaddressed.

Why this book fits the NETO Innovation mindset

Innovation projects live under pressure: Tight deadlines, complex consortia, limited budgets, and high expectations.

In this context, time and focus are already scarce. Losing them to poor interactions or unclear communication is not a small issue. It directly affects:

• Project quality,

• Team motivation,

• Decision-making,

• Long-term sustainability of collaborations.

This is where Surrounded by Vampires becomes useful. It does not offer theory-heavy psychology. It offers practical observation tools.

Surrounded by Vampires: A familiar framework, applied differently

If you know Erikson’s earlier book Surrounded by Idiots, you will recognize the DISC personality model: Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue.

In Surrounded by Vampires, Erikson uses the same framework but shifts the focus. He looks at how stress, pressure, and lack of self-awareness turn normal behaviors into energy drains.

A detail we appreciated: The book does not label people as “bad types.” It focuses on behavior in context. This matters. Especially in professional environments where:

• People are competent,

• Intentions are often good,

• But pressure changes how people act.

The real message of "Surrounded by Vampires"

The core message is not “avoid people”. It is build awareness and boundaries. Erikson insists on one thing: You cannot control others, but you can control how much access they have to your time and energy. This includes:

• How you structure meetings,

• How you respond to emotional pressure,

• How quickly you say yes,

• How clearly you communicate limits.

None of this is radical. That’s the point.

Why this matters for innovation and R&D projects

In innovation projects, especially European and collaborative ones, energy leaks often show up in very specific ways:

• Endless alignment meetings with no decisions,

• Last-minute requests justified by “urgency”,

• Partners who talk impact but avoid responsibility,

• Emotional reactions replacing structured discussion.

  
  

These situations rarely fail a project on their own .But over time, they exhaust teams. And exhausted teams do not innovate well.

A book about self-awareness, not blame

One of the strongest aspects of Surrounded by Vampires is that it repeatedly turns the question back to the reader.

Not: “Who is draining me?”

But: “Why does this affect me so much?” “What do I allow?” “What do I avoid saying?”

This perspective is uncomfortable but useful. In leadership roles, consulting roles, and coordination roles, this is especially relevant. These positions attract responsibility. They also attract energy drain if boundaries are unclear.

What the book does well

What stands out in this book is its simplicity. Erikson does not try to impress the reader with theory or long explanations. He focuses on what works in real situations.

• Clear language,

• Short examples,

• Situations that feel real,

• Practical advice you can test immediately.

It respects the reader’s intelligence. And it does not overpromise change.

What the book does not do

It is also important to be clear about what this book is not. Surrounded by Vampires does not pretend to be a universal solution, and it avoids easy answers.

• It does not solve structural problems,

• It does not replace good management,

• It does not fix toxic systems.

But it helps you navigate them more consciously.

Why we recommend it at NETO Innovation

At NETO Innovation, we work at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and human collaboration.

We believe technical excellence is not enough. Projects succeed because people manage complexity without burning out. This book is a reminder that:

• Protecting your energy is not selfish,

• Clarity is kinder than silence,

• And small adjustments matter.

Who should read this book

We recommend Surrounded by Vampires if you are:

• Coordinating projects or consortia,

• Leading teams under pressure,

• Working in innovation, R&D, or consulting,

• Feeling tired without knowing exactly why.

  
  

It is not a deep academic read. It is a useful one. And sometimes, that is exactly what you need.

If you found this recommendation useful, you can find more content like this on our website. We regularly share insights on innovation, project management, funding, and the human side of complex projects.

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