While it is important for organizations to have a diverse group for business success. Managing teams by not disrupting or diffusing their morale requires design thinking and action, applying the platinum rule for leadership.
The workplace constitutes people from different backgrounds, with different opinions and different skills and strengths. Therefore, it takes a little extra effort for the organization and its leaders to bind them under one umbrella through the platinum rule of action.
Before embarking on their agendas, leaders need self-awareness-of their strengths, weakness, skillsets, biases, etc. These enable them to understand the people around them, who are different individuals, as their contribution and association are important for the business. For example, as a leader, you find it obligatory to celebrate the success of a team project by congratulating the team member who spearheaded the project. But the employee might prefer subtle recognition. Hence, avoid it, though this is what the golden rule proposes- to ‘treat others as you would want to be treated. However, the platinum rule recommends treating others how they want to be treated. It’s a simple way to achieve effective leadership – by understanding and predicting the actions or likes of others to get what you must exactly pursue.
What can this accomplish?
Build dynamic teams: Positive leadership traits always translate into building an efficient team. Using individual differences of a diverse team, the leader could accomplish business goals through the effort of team dynamics.
Better customer service: From start-ups to global corporate firms– the customer is always the king. The practice of the platinum rule improves the chances of closing a sales call successfully, understanding the client’s requirement, and proposing the solution.
Conflict diffusion: Applying the platinum rule helps leaders resolve issues and differences. It strengthens the team bond and builds efficient collaboration for business success.
While it is important to understand that you take measures to satisfy others’ needs or support their opinion, your baseline ideas or beliefs should not be compromised or side-lined. It is about presenting your ideas, thoughts, and perceptions, complementing the ideas of the other person.
The golden rule still has the glitter, as it recommends facilitating strong values of personality traits like respect, humility, honesty, fairness, compassion, etc. However, to establish an effective leadership foundation for a thriving team and successful business, the platinum rule of action is the mantra.
