PeopleSmart in Business eBook - The Platinum Rule

104
Five: On the Job
Non-Interacting styles may view Interacting Irv’s behavior as goofing
off . “Th at Irv spends more time gabbing at the soda machine than
he does working. What does he get paid for, anyway?” But appearances
may fool us. While Irv weaves his way toward a drink, he bounces
ideas off the people along the way. “John, if you got a coupon in the
mail for free dessert at Cafe Eduardo’s with any dinner for two, would
you go? I’m working on new advertising possibilities for them. What
would motivate you to try a new restaurant?”
Irv oft en doesn’t merely talk—he actually brainstorms out loud with
virtually anyone he encounters. It’s important for him to fi nd out how
other people feel about his ideas. He likes the feedback and the occasional
pats on the back that his conversations provide. He enjoys a
casual, relaxed environment where he can allow his impulses free rein.
Desk hopping also satisfi es his need for companionship. Like other Interacting
Socializers, he seeks out people to fi rst share the present, with
one eye on future additional experiences with them. Talking with coworkers
happily mixes business with pleasure for this type. Th ey like to
play and mingle as they learn, earn, and do practically everything else.
Interacting Socializers seek “people power” positions
Since the Interacting Socializer is naturally talkative and people-oriented,
these positions of people power meet his needs for inclusion by
others, popularity, social recognition, and (probably) freedom from a
lot of detail. Th ey utilize his natural strengths. As with the other types,
jobs do not equal behavioral type; but many Interacting Socializers
tend to gravitate toward people-oriented, high visibility professions to
fi ll their innate needs.
Disneyland seems to hire vast numbers of Interacting Socializers
who act as peppy and people-oriented at 10 p.m. as they did at 10