In today's highly competitive and ever-changing business environment, it's not enough to treat clients, associates, and staff the way you would like to be treated. You have to know what they want - and be able to deliver it. To a large extent, your success with others depends on how well you respond to their individual needs. Now Dr. Tony Alessandra teams up with master human resource consultant and trainer Dr. Michael J. O'Connor. Together they share their insights into the exciting field that is attracting billions of corporate research dollars: human personalities. The Platinum Rule offers two effective tools that Alessandra and O'Connor developed. First is The Platinum Rule itself, the breakthrough principle that sensitizes you to the differences among people. Second is the authors' unique classification of the four basic personality types: Directors, Relaters, Socializers, and Thinkers. Alessandra and O'Connor reveal the characteristics of each one and how to apply this vital information to The Platinum Rule. The Platinum Rule is part psychology, part common sense, and pure business gold: a guide designed to play a lasting part in your successful business life. Two veterans of the motivational chalk-talk circuit demonstrate how managers can better direct underlings by identifying their basic personality types. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. The Platinum Rule provides a simple technique for increasing understanding in the workplace, a social setting, or anywhere else. The Platinum Rule gives easy benchmarks and tools to identify other people's personality style, their likes and dislikes, through vocal and visual clues. And, of course, it starts by helping the reader identify his or her own style with exactitude. The Platinum Rule reveals how to cope productively with styles other than the reader's own in any setting without changing the reader's identity, use individual differences to bring out the best in any groups or task force, sell or improve customer service by giving customers the information they are really looking for, and diffuse "moments of misery" when someone is just plain unhappy with you, your business or service. -- Midwest Book Review "Dr. Tony Alessandra's work brilliantly provides effective insights for improving communication in any and all situations. Everyone will benefit from reading The Platinum Rule ." John Gray, Ph.D., Author, Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus " The Platinum Rule is Chicken Soup for the Head! It gives fun and useful insights as to how to enhance both business and personal relationships. Tony Alessandra is a master at this and I recommend that you read it often." Jack Canfield, Co-author, Chicken Soup for the Soul " The Platinum Rule breaks all the old rules of communications. It is full of take action strategies that cut like a laser to the heart of the human personality... yours and your customer's. Don't underestimate the power of this fine book. A learning and earning tool for the times." Harvey Mackay, Author, Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive " The Platinum Rule is the priceless key to unlocking the door to empowerment, productivity and all business and personal relationships. It is simply the most important leadership concept I have learned in all of my life!" Denis Waitley, Author, Empires of the Mind and The Psychology of Winning "This fascinating book will help everyone in their daily interaction with other people by allowing a clear understanding of what style will work with each individual. Much helpful and empowering information is encompassed in this great book, yet it is written in an easy-to-read style. Tony, who happens to be a great speaker, has found a way to bring that same passion to the written word." Les Brown, CPAE, Author, Live Your Dreams "This book is a hoot! You'll recognize yourself and all your contacts immediately. Now you can work in a group, sell a concept, negotiate a contract, even be a better dating partner, simply by appealing to other's needs on their level. THIS platinum will be your most precious resource." Kathy Levine, Host, QVC Inc. "Insightful, spiritual and practical, all packed into one powerful book." Wayne Dyer, Author, Your Erroneous Zones and Your Sacred Self "Tony Alessandra has written a book that will be essential in the future. As technology expands, human skills will be even more vital to keep us connected beyond the electronic level. The Platinum Rule shows you how to transcend technology and get spectacular results with people." Daniel Burrus, Technology Forecaster, Author, TechnoTrends . "Tony Alessandra and Michael O'Connor are two of the best. The Platinum Rule is a must read for all of us who want to be better in our interactions with others." Ken Blanchard, Co-author, The One-Minute Manager and Everyone's a Coach "In this era where motivational and self-help books have adopted a mysterious jargon all their own, this simply written but special book