The Platinum Rule: Discover the Four Basic Business Personalities and How They Can Lead You to Success

The Platinum Rule: Discover the Four Basic Business Personalities and How They Can Lead You to Success by Tony Alessandra and Michael J. O'Connor is a book about understanding and working with different personality types in the workplace. The authors argue that the key to success in business is to understand that people have different communication styles and preferences, and to tailor your approach to each individual.

The book introduces the "Platinum Rule," which is an extension of the Golden Rule ("treat others as you would like to be treated"). The Platinum Rule takes things a step further by recognising that people have different communication styles and preferences, and suggests that we should treat others how they want to be treated. In other words, we should adapt our communication and management style to fit the needs of the people we are working with.

The authors identify four basic business personalities: the director, the socialiser, the relater, and the thinker. Each of these personality types has different strengths, weaknesses, and communication styles.

Directors are characterised as being assertive, goal-oriented, and results-driven. They are often seen as being tough and demanding and may come across as aggressive or abrasive. Directors appreciate people who are direct and to-the-point, and may find small talk or socialising to be a waste of time.

Socialisers, on the other hand, are outgoing, sociable, and love to connect with people. They are often seen as being charming and charismatic and may enjoy entertaining or hosting events. Socialisers appreciate people who are friendly and engaging, and may find overly formal or rigid communication to be off-putting.

Relaters are empathetic, caring, and value relationships above all else. They are often seen as being warm and nurturing and may enjoy helping others or working in a team. Relaters appreciate people who are supportive and understanding and may find blunt or confrontational communication to be hurtful.

Thinkers are analytical, logical, and detail oriented. They are often seen as being reserved and serious and may enjoy working on complex problems or tasks. Thinkers appreciate people who are precise and thorough and may find vague or imprecise communication to be frustrating.

The book provides practical tips and strategies for working with each of these personality types. For example, when working with a director, it's important to be direct and to-the-point, and to focus on results and outcomes. When working with a socialiser, it's important to be engaging and personable, and to show interest in their personal life and interests. When working with a relater, it's important to be empathetic and supportive, and to focus on building a relationship. When working with a thinker, it's important to be logical and precise, and to provide detailed information and analysis.

The authors also provide guidance on how to identify someone's personality type, including observing their behaviour, listening to their communication style, and asking questions to learn more about their preferences.

Overall, "The Platinum Rule" is a helpful resource for anyone who wants to improve their communication and management skills in the workplace. By understanding and adapting to different personality types, we can build stronger relationships, increase productivity, and ultimately achieve greater success.

The key takeaways from this book

1. The Platinum Rule suggests that we should treat others how they want to be treated. This means adapting our communication and management style to fit the needs of the people we are working with.
2. There are four basic business personalities: the director, the socialiser, the relater, and the thinker. Each of these personality types has different strengths, weaknesses, and communication styles.
3. To work effectively with a director, it's important to be direct and to-the-point, and to focus on results and outcomes. To work effectively with a socialiser, it's important to be engaging and personable, and to show interest in their personal life and interests. To work effectively with a relater, it's important to be empathetic and supportive, and to focus on building a relationship. To work effectively with a thinker, it's important to be logical and precise, and to provide detailed information and analysis.
4. The book provides practical tips and strategies for identifying someone's personality type, including observing their behaviour, listening to their communication style, and asking questions to learn more about their preferences.
5. By understanding and adapting to different personality types, we can build stronger relationships, increase productivity, and ultimately achieve greater success in our personal and professional lives.