When you were younger, it’s likely you were taught the Golden Rule: “Treat others as you would want to be treated.” We like to think about the Platinum Rule – “Treat others the way they want to be treated.” This simple phrase is something that you may practice in your daily life, but when it comes to your professional life, you should be using it, too. Here’s why:
If everyone is treated fairly, employees will be happier, more involved and motivated to excel. Not only does this environment bode well for the sustained growth of your company, your customers typically will take note and become more satisfied as well. Creating an environment in which employees are happy and satisfied will benefit your workplace in the long run.
Everyone wants to be heard, and nobody wants to be ignored. When the Golden Rule is applied in the workplace, listening is valued as much as speaking. Listening to others earns you their respect, so they’ll be more likely to hear what you’re saying when it’s your time to speak. The cycle encourages more people to contribute and more ideas to come to light.
If your coworkers know they can count on you to deliver on their tasks, they are more likely to act on your requests as well. This tacit agreement among coworkers helps build reliability in the workplace. You’ll be helping to build a culture in which people go the extra step to help others when something is needed. Going above and beyond what is required of you helps build your personal reputation—and that of your business.
At the end of the day – gold, platinum – treat others well and it pay dividends.
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