PeopleSmart in Business eBook - The Platinum Rule

ased on how well you practice the Golden Rule. If you exercise the
Golden Rule appropriately, you’ll create much more relationship
chemistry. But if you fail to understand the true spirit of the Golden
Rule, you’ll create many more personality confl icts. Just to make sure
you have the proper perspective, what is the Golden Rule?
It’s simply, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Not the managerial version--”Th e person with the gold makes the
rules,”--or the skeptical interpretation--”Do unto others before they
do unto you.”
“So,” you say? “How could people get in trouble if they practiced that
truth? Living by the Golden Rule should result in more harmonious
relationships, not create confl ict!” You’re right. Th e problem lies with
practicing the Golden Rule verbatim and not understanding its true
intent. When you misapply it, you stand a much greater chance of
triggering confl ict over chemistry.
Let’s explain. When you treat others as you want to be treated, you
can end up off ending others who have diff erent needs, wants, and expectations
from you. So when you apply the Golden Rule verbatim,
there’s a much greater chance of triggering confl ict over chemistry.
Yes, you heard it right? If you literally apply, “Do unto others as you
would have them do unto you,” you’ll make problems for yourself with
up to 75% of the types of people you meet. Following the Golden Rule
verbatim means treating others from your point of view. Th at means
you naturally tend to speak in the way you are most comfortable listening;
or sell to others the way you like to be sold; or manage the way
you want others to direct you.
When you treat people as you seek to be treated, it can cause tension.
Why? Because the other person may not like your way. Perhaps you
fi ll your own needs instead of his or hers. Or speak in a way that’s easy
for you to follow, but hard for the other person. Th at brings us to the
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