The Platinum Rule

By: Andy Fry, Coach, Renogize Professional Coaching

Do you know what “The Golden Rule” is? “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  Most of us had this idiom beaten into us when we were younger so we would play nicely with others.  It was very helpful on the playground, but when it comes to leadership it sometimes misses the mark. 

I recently worked with a company whose makeup is becoming increasingly common. They were mostly a group of Gen X executives who were leading Millennial leaders who were trying to motivate Gen Z front line employees. In a prep meeting with their CEO, generational stereotypes seemed to be getting in the way of them maximizing their capabilities. Gen X leaders wanted independence and to figure things out on their own. Millennials wanted to work collaboratively on everything and tried to move up the ladder too quickly. Gen Z showed themselves to be isolated and unsure of themselves.  They were speaking past each other at all levels and despite their incredible success as a company, they weren’t meeting their potential. It was time to introduce them to the “Platinum Rule” of leadership. 

“Do unto others as they want to have done unto themselves.”   

This is how you lead through relationship management. Get to know people well enough to know what they value and then tap into that information to motivate them and help them succeed. A Gen X leader may not think about working collaboratively or mentoring someone because they had to figure it out on their own and expect others to do the same. That isn’t how most Millennials were raised.  Millennials don’t think to come around a Gen Z person and help them be confident in the work they are doing because Millennials may lack a lot of things, but confidence isn’t one. We need to meet people where they are.

When sharing a takeaway at the end of our time together, one Gen X leader said “I hadn’t thought about trying to get to know my employees as people.” When asked, it was because he compartmentalizes work and personal life and never saw work as a place to share personal information. He made the connection of how he needed to look beyond his preferences to maximize his team’s ability.   

Lean into understanding your team members as the unique people they are, not just their roles or job functions they perform. When you do, you will know better how to manage and lead that relationship for the betterment of all.