What is The Platinum Rule and Why it Matters More Than Ever

What is The Platinum Rule and Why it Matters More Than Ever

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What is the Platinum Rule?

When we originally set out to write this piece, we intended to talk about The Golden Rule. Specifically, we wanted to speak to how you teach others to treat you—but that's only doing about 50 percent of the work. Early criticism of The Golden Rule came from philosophers such and Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Nietzsche. They 

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What is the Platinum Rule?

objected the rule for various reasons, but most importantly for one reason in particular. As one person with a specific background, upbringing, and set of standards, you can only know how you want to be treated. How does one know how others want to be treated? The short answer is that you don't—not unless you make it your business to find out.

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What is the Platinum Rule?

The Platinum Rule is a variation of The Golden Rule that calls for a more thoughtful approach when dealing with others. It asks that you "Do unto others as they would want to be done to them." Basically, in simple terms, following The Platinum Rule means making sure you know how the people around you want to be treated.

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Why The Platinum Rule Matters More Than Ever

In his book, The Art of People, author Dave Kerpen speaks at length about how The Golden Rule misses the mark. Yes, the intentions are good! They are! But, it's not enough. Kerpen explains, "The Golden Rule is a splendid concept except for one thing: Everyone is different, and the truth is that in many cases what you'd want done to you is different 

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Why The Platinum Rule Matters More Than Ever

from what your partner, employee, customer, investor, wife, or child would want done to him or her." Societally, we are learning to grow and learn about others' unique experiences. It's not acceptable to treat everyone like yourself, because everyone has different struggles, backgrounds, privileges, and blind spots. 

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How to Use The Platinum Rule at Work

Communicate how you want to be treated. The first step to fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to speak up is by speaking up yourself. This is exponentially true if you're in a leadership role.  We actually think it's an amazing team-building exercise to get everyone together in order to find out how everyone 

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How to Use The Platinum Rule at Work

communicates best.While you might love cracking jokes over Slack, your coworker might have important matters at hand—and they simply don't have the time or luxury to joke around.  To this end, we created this communication preference resource that we think every team should get together and complete. Create space for your leadership and coworkers 

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How to Use The Platinum Rule at Work

to communicate how they want to be treated.

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How to Use The Platinum Rule at Work

Be Open to Feedback—Especially When it Triggers Guilt or Discomfort. Ok, we are no psychologists (not even armchair ones), but I think we can all relate to the following scenario. You're at work (or with friends) and you crack a joke or use a turn of phrase very lightheartedly. All of sudden, you see someone's face 

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How to Use The Platinum Rule at Work

turn—and they say to you, "You know that's incredibly offensive, right?" Is your knee-jerk reaction to brush them off with a "lighten up, I'm only kidding" explanation? Our advice is this: don't do that. Using The Platinum Rule means pushing your guilt or embarrassment to the side and finding out more. Rather than

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How to Use The Platinum Rule at Work

a snap reaction, consider issuing an apology, learning more, and doing better. This goes for every person. There is room for every single person to grow their empathy.

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How to Use The Platinum Rule at Work

Stick to Your Boundaries and Communicate Them Often Boundaries are no fun, but they're essential. Boundaries are essential in the workplace and in all relationships you have. Creating boundaries is difficult enough, especially when you tend to be a people pleaser. Sticking to or defending your boundaries when they're 

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How to Use The Platinum Rule at Work

inevitably crossed can seem nearly impossible. Do it, though. If you have clearly communicated your boundaries, do not shy away from communicating when one is crossed. If you haven't communicated them yet, take the time to—especially in the moments after it is crossed.

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How to Use The Platinum Rule at Work

Never Stop Asking Questions. There’s always room for improvement, increased sensitivity, and adjustments. Like we said, no single person is immune to the lifelong ability to learn more. We can all be more sensitive, understanding, and open to growing through learning. By applying The Platinum Rule to your over-arching 

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How to Use The Platinum Rule at Work

sensibilities—whether dealing with a loved one, a coworker, or a difficult client—you will inevitably gather hundreds of lenses through which to see, understand, navigate, and help others to navigate through the world.

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