PeopleSmart in Business eBook - The Platinum Rule

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Five: On the Job
What do Interacting Socializers want at work?
Interacting Socializers want companionship and social recognition,
so their contributions to group morale oft en satisfy these needs. At
work, they like to know everybody’s fi rst name and something about
everyone. Th ey can benefi t from feedback from their co-workers, especially
those who represent other behavioral types. Just as Steady
Relaters contribute stability, Cautious Th inkers seek accuracy, and
Dominant Directors add decisiveness, Interacting Socializers give
their enthusiasm and energy. Tactfully reminding and assisting them
so they will prioritize and organize can help the entire offi ce function
more smoothly. Since Interacting Socializers tend to be open books,
the other types can detect when they are having an off day and give
them a boost with a compliment or two.
As true extroverts, Interacting Socializers typically look outside
themselves to renew their energies. Th ey enjoy motivating books,
tapes, and speeches—pick-me-ups that recharge their batteries to help
them overcome obstacles. Th ese are viewed as practical growth opportunities.
Th ey even prefer the terms opportunity or challenge instead
of problem. A problem is too mired in negativism to comfortably
fi t with an Interacting Socializer’s optimistic nature.
They prefer the “big picture”
As inductive thinkers, Interacting Socializers naturally think fi rst
about the big picture, then of supporting details. Aft er seeing the
broad overview, they prefer not to personally dwell on specifi cs. “Collins
can work out the details.” Interacting Socializers are intuitive and
may naturally come up with assorted ideas—some practical, some
not—but if they feel right to them, they talk up those ideas to others to
elicit their feedback and enthusiasm. Th is can also serve the purpose
of pulling Interacting Socializers back to reality if they venture too far
out into La-La Land (one Dominant Director’s description of this be-