The PLATINUM Rule

Most people are familiar with the timeless “Golden Rule” – Treat others the way you would like to be treated. And while it is truly a wonderful guide to our human interactions, that tenet does have one basic flaw. Since people are unique individuals with varying needs, desires, and perspectives, some folks may not want to be dealt with in the exact same manner as you do.

Certainly, like you, everyone else at work expects to be treated fairly – with dignity and respect. We all want to be listened to, to have our ideas and concerns considered, and to feel that we (and our work) truly matter. But how we’d like those universal expectations to be met is where we tend to differ. For every person who enjoys public praise, there’s someone else who prefers to be recognized privately. For every team member who wants direct and candid feedback, there’s another who likes the medicine with a little sugar. For every person who wants to lead, there is someone else who operates best as a committed follower. For every colleague who…oh well, you get the picture.

Bottom line: There are no clones of you floating around out there. So, rather than treating others the way you want to be treated, consider treating them the way THEY want to be treated. That’s called “The Platinum Rule” – and it’s one of the very best guides for improving intergenerational relationships.

Think of the people you work with and for. What behaviors do they engage in? How do they tend to get their work done? What seems important to them? What generational characteristics do they exhibit? What are their obvious likes and dislikes? By answering these questions, you’ll develop a feel for what makes your colleagues ‘tick.’ Then, use that information to enhance your daily interactions.