PeopleSmart in Business eBook - The Platinum Rule

means I have to be willing to accept every person as worthwhile, regardless
of their style or values. Th e key is being willing to understand as well
as accept them as people I want to get along with. When I do, I’ve found
that things usually work out quite well; and when I don’t, then it usually
doesn’t. Th e choice and the consequences belong to me.”
Lower personal fl exibility
“Look, I’m just your average, hard-working kind of person. I mean,
I’m good at handling some types of situations, and not so successful
with others. But I’ve learned to accept this fact. Aft er all, nobody’s perfect.
So I just don’t deal with those situations that pose problems for
me. Instead, I either avoid them or try to get someone else to handle
them. Aft er all, why should I get all bent out of shape about these?”
Higher personal fl exibility
“I consider myself a lot more eff ective as a person—both at work
and in my personal life—because I’ve learned how to adjust my own
preferred style of doing things when it gets in the way of the kinds of
results I want to achieve. Th is has been a real breakthrough for me and
has given me a much greater sense of confi dence in my ability to deal
with situations that arise.”
Versatility
By comparison with fl exible individuals, highly versatile people
demonstrate a set of distinctive abilities in realistically and productively
managing a variety of situations. Th is includes the stresses
that accompany this higher activity level. In addition, their actions
are clearly goal oriented, serving a meaningful purpose in their own
personal aspirations, their relationships with others, and the desirable
outcomes of situations. Th ey also exhibit appropriate problem-solving
actions that match the requirements that exist in dealing with a broad
range of diff erent situations.
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