I Appreciate You and I’d Like to Help You

Now that we’ve covered some things we can do to apply The Platinum Rule when we have those candid conversations with our folks who have those first two primary communication styles, our more Outgoing and Fast-Paced team members, we’re doing to need to dial it down a bit as we prepare to chat with this next group. In case you didn’t notice, I was very intentional about using an exclamation point in the subject line of the last post, You’re Amazing and You Can Be Even Better!... I’m being equally intentional by NOT using one in today’s subject. 

In situations where we need to provide the “Alliance Feedback” (like Jeff Henderson suggested in Know What You’re FOR) with our Reserved friends, it’s extremely important for us to manage our pace and be sure our tone is geared to their SUPPORTIVE nature. With this group that represents around 35% of the population typically being a bit more SHY than most everyone else we’ll interact with, we need to be sure they understand that we genuinely appreciate and accept them for who they are.

They have a strong desire to maintain the STATUS QUO so we need to be gentle as we explain the changes we need them to make. Because they normally want to be very SUPPORTIVE of the team around them, we will do well to explain how much any needed changes will Help the entire group. Providing them with an understanding of how their cooperation with those changes can increase teamwork and the group’s overall harmony will also speak to the desire for STABILITY. And while they will often do more to SERVE others than they would do for themselves, ensuring them that we’ll be there to help them work through the changes will speak their language.

As we see them take steps to make any changes we’ve asked for, we should be intentional showing affirmation. That said, doing it this privately without calling extra attention to them will be just what they need.

As we look at the next group, I’ll explain why we’ll need to have all of our facts & figures prepared for those conversations!