PeopleSmart in Business eBook - The Platinum Rule

32
Two: I Know Who You Are, But What Am I?
If you think that we’re stacking the deck, consider putting all
four of one behavioral type into the room to make those decisions.
Th ey’d get the job done, wouldn’t they? Not if they follow the Golden
Rule verbatim!
What do you call it when you send four Dominant Directors into
the same room? War!
Or four Cautious Th inkers? A laundry list full of questions!
And four Steady Relaters? Nothing! Th ey sit around smiling at
each other: “You go fi rst.” “No, why don’t you go fi rst. By the way,
how’s the family?”
When four Interacting Socializers walk out, try asking them if
they’ve gotten the job done. “Get what done?” Th ey’ve had a party and
instead come out with 10 new jokes and stories.
We admit that we may be exaggerating to make a point, but in
some cases, not by much. Dominant Directors tend to have the
assertiveness and leadership initiative to get tasks started. Th ey
may then delegate to others for follow-through, enabling the
Dominant Directors to start still other new projects that interest
them more.
Cautious Th inkers typically are motivated by their planning and organizational
tendencies. If we want a task done precisely, fi nd a Cautious
Th inker. Of the four types, they’re the most motivated to be correct--the
quality control experts.
Steady Relaters have persistence, people-to-people strengths-- patience,
follow-through, and responsiveness. When we have a problem,
we may choose to go to a sympathetic-appearing Steady Relater because
he or she listens, empathizes, and reacts to our feelings.
Interacting Socializers are natural entertainers who thrive on
involvement with people. Th ey also love to start things, but oft en