In this series of blogs we share with you some of the popular articles, blogs and newsletters from our archives. Enjoy the insights of Michael Gravelle on effective coaching across the generational gap.
Using the Platinum rule when coaching
Over the last decade a great deal of attention has been devoted to managing and coaching the four different generations that coexist in the work place: the Traditionalists; the Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y.
While we at The McQuaig Institute® fully appreciate that there are intergenerational challenges (we know this first hand since our own staff members span several generations), we also contend that frequently there can be significant differences within the same generation, based on profile type.
As a manager I know that there are some employees with whom I always seem to be on the same page with and others where the opposite is true. When managing and coaching team members we often apply The Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, but this doesn’t work in situations where your employee has different motivators and sees things from a different perspective.
In such instances it is best to apply The Platinum Rule, “Do unto others as they want done unto them.”
Of course this can be tricky as it is never easy to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. A deeper understanding of a person’s motivators and de-motivators is essential to applying the platinum rule. The McQuaig Strategies for Coaching and Developing report can be very helpful here.
I recommend that you run if off for current employees next time you need to have a performance discussion. Of course there is no charge to re-run the report if you already have the person’s The McQuaig Word Survey®.
About the Author: Michael Gravelle is a consultant for The McQuaig Institute. In addition to being featured in The Globe & Mail and Profit Magazine, he has written numerous articles on selection and assessment for such publications as The HR Professional, The Canadian Retailer and The HR Reporter.
For more information on the McQuaig Strategies for Coaching and Developing Report or our workshops Effective You! And Effective Teams email hello@weareholst.com or call 0203 111 9292.
