Recently, I conducted a training program for frontline managers where we followed the Platinum Rule. At the end of the program, everyone including, training sponsors, facility coordinators as well as participants were surprised how well the program was received. Typically trainers either entice or come down with a heavy hand when it comes to issues of phones ringing in the class, participants coming late in the morning or after breaks, participants not engaging etc. We did not have to try any of the above tricks we just followed the Platinum Rule. The results were especially remarkable because the demography of the group was stacked against us: average age of participant 40+; average work experience 20+ years.
We just followed the Platinum Rule: My training partner and I made sure that we frequently ask the participants to give us feedback on the way we were conducting the session. The questions were focussed around matters like the pace at which we were facilitating- was it too slow or too fast; were our examples relevant etc? In one session the participants told us that when one person is facilitating the other should not add as they get distracted. In one of the sessions I had made a tongue cheek comment which happened to be a hot spot for the group, next morning I made reference to the incident, the group had no objection, but I confessed that it was an inappropriate example and promised that I would refrain from using the example again.
There are some more details on how we conducted the session but it is suffice to say that we did not use rules to conduct the program-we simply outlined our responsibilities and asked them to outline theirs. The results were for everyone to see. In summary we lived up to the promise that we had made and the participants did the same voluntarily.
If everyone, a parent, peer or a supervisor used the Platinum Rule our ability to influence people would multiply many-fold. Let us face it the era of command and control is long gone. If you want to build productive and engagement in your team you have to follow the Platinum Rule.
Let us see some APPLICATIONS of the Platinum Rule
Well based on the Golden Rule if I was a non vegetarian, I could take my guest who is a vegetarian to a non- vegetarian restaurant and it would be okay. The guest could always order vegetarian food. According to the Platinum Rule- my first choice should be to go to vegetarian restaurant or I should ensure that the guest is comfortable eating in a non vegetarian environment. The whole point is that if you want to invite someone for dinner better take him to a place of his choice instead of yours.
An example from the work-place would be if a supervisor wants to share feedback with an employee the most effective way would be to give it in a way that would suit and benefit the employee and not the other way around. If managers ask employees with genuine interest how well they are supporting their efforts employee-engagement can improve very quickly.
Last but not the least; if you want to shower love on someone give it in a way they want to receive it; it will mean so much more. Successful parents, writers and businesses follow the Platinum Rule every day and not so successful ones follow the Golden Rule. It is no doubt that times have changed-and so should we!
