PeopleSmart in Business eBook - The Platinum Rule

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Six: Leadership Styles
boring stuff as possible. Get them involved. Interacting Socializers are
typically kinesthetic, hands-on learners, so let them try by fi rst getting
a feel for what’s involved, and then showing you what they understood
so you can give them structured feedback. Frequently, this type wants
to jump in and try before they’re ready, or before they fully understand
everything. Allow them to save face when they do something
wrong, and heap on those compliments when they get it right!
Prioritizing with Interacting Socializers
Many Interacting Socializers fi nd that sorting out priorities and solutions
becomes very diffi cult when too many opportunities bombard
them. When this happens, they may become uncharacteristically mute
and immobilized . . . temporarily, of course. Other people can help by
prioritizing items for Interacting Socializers to tackle. “Th is account
needs attention sometime today, but I need your input on the Chase
report in less than an hour.” Th is approach enables him to separate his
feelings from the facts at hand as well as other people’s expectations.
Ironically, when the Interacting Socializer’s tasks become more organized,
his anxiety level lessens—despite the fact that he bristles at the
thought of organization. More importantly, since he can’t be all things
to all people, focusing and refocusing on what’s most important, second
most, etc., is essential to his well being.
Support Interacting Socializers’ dreams
Interacting Socializers operate predominantly from a multiple-focus,
right brain perspective. Th ey see mental pictures fi rst, then convert
those pictures to words. Preferring main ideas and generalities,
not details, they base decisions on their impulses, gut feelings, and
others’ recommendations and testimonials. For this behavioral type,
emotions rule. “Something tells me that I should buy this stock.” Th is
doesn’t mean that they never use logic or facts, but that feelings and