We have all heard that the most important thing in business—is the golden rule—which is to treat people the way you want to be treated. But does the platinum rule suggest that? Well, we don’t think so.
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, getting through your tasks and projects, and not taking the time to think about how your actions impact others. When we’re focused on our own goals and needs, it can be easy to forget about how other people feel or what they need from us.
The Platinum Rule is one of the most important lessons every manager should learn: treat everyone around you with respect and kindness, regardless of their role or status in the company. It may seem like a small thing, but when you make people feel respected and appreciated, they’ll be more likely to do their best work for you—and they’ll also have more fun doing it.
It’s easy to forget about this rule because we’re so used to treating people the way we think they need to be treated. But the truth is, if we want to build relationships with the people around us and feel connected, then we need to start following this rule.
It is a simple concept that can have a profound impact on your company. It’s also one of the most overlooked in the workplace. We have an answer to your question, “what is the Platinum Rule?” This article will explain everything you need to know about it and how you can start using it today.
What is The Platinum Rule?
Platinum Rule – A rule for inclusiveness in the workplace.
This rule means treating people the way they want to be treated. There’s a lot of confusion concerning the platinum rule vs golden rule in the workplace. This rule simply suggests that instead of treating people the way you think seems best for you rather treat them the way they want to be treated.
Let’s look at one of the platinum rule examples; Sarah loves chocolate cakes. On the day of her best friend’s birthday, Ashley, she decides to get her a chocolate cake because she believes that everyone loves the same thing as she does. On the other hand, Ashley is allergic to chocolate cakes. Ashley takes a bite of this cake without realizing and gets sick on her birthday. This scenario would have been avoided if Sarah took out the time to find out what flavor of cake Ashley will prefer—exactly what this rule speaks on.
This approach has been proven to increase performance in many different situations because it helps people understand each other and relate better. Instead of doing things the way you will like them, you’ll consider doing things the way others will like them done to improve inclusiveness and promote a better work environment.
Why is The Platinum Rule important?
This rule matters more than ever before because the workplace is enhancing day by day and diverse communities keep coming together. Instead of struggling with understanding one another, this rule preaches inclusiveness, where understanding one another’s needs and concerns is the best way to go. There are so many platinum rule examples to emulate in your company today.
Why is The Platinum Rule better than The Golden Rule?
If you haven’t heard about the golden rule, then here’s a simple definition. The golden rule states that you should treat others the way you would want to be treated. This rule is not inclusive rather it is self centered. We are all different people and treating others the way you enjoy being treated won’t work at all. It would only create problems and misunderstandings. The clear difference between the platinum rule vs golden rule is that the former promotes inclusiveness while the latter doesn’t. The platinum rule is more people centered than self centered. There are barely any problems with the platinum rule.
How do you use The Platinum Rule?
The concept has been around for decades, but it’s never been more relevant than it is today—when the lines between work and life are increasingly blurring and people are working in more flexible environments than ever before. If you want to get people on board with your vision, this is a great rule to start with.
Discuss It
The first way of using this rule is to openly talk about it. Discuss the rule with your employees or coworkers. Tell them how you love to be treated when it comes to the workplace. This could be how you like them to communicate with you. Should they send an email to you? Or should they directly come and speak to you? Be open and speak freely.
Allow for Inputs
This rule isn’t only about you. You’ll need to allow your employees or coworkers to discuss too. Give room for them to talk about how they also like to be treated and listen very carefully. This will pave the way for you and other members of your organization to understand how to treat one another.
Practice
It’s easier said than done and that’s why you need to take action regularly. Try out all of the ways your employees or coworkers have said they like to be treated. See what works and doesn’t work. Ask questions to find out more and your organization will thrive better than before.
Conclusion
The platinum rule is an inclusive rule that promotes the diverse work environment of today. Using it in the workplace will bring more peace and unity than misunderstandings. Breaking the confusion of the platinum rule vs golden rule is needed.