Is there a best behavioral style-Director, Thinker, Relater, or Socializer?
Dr. O’Connor: A lot of people would like me to say yes, but in fact the research indicates overwhelmingly NO. In our book The Platinum Rule, Dr Tony Alessandra and I talk about that, the principle of human imperfection. The reality is that when people are saying, “Is there one best style,” often they’re saying, “Say yes, and tell me it’s my style.” Instead, what’s closer to the point is that each of us has our own unique strengths and weaknesses. The other interesting part of that is people have preferences and culturally what we find is that people in fact are socialized into a certain preferred way of behaving. So that, for instance, when I work in Italy, I find very few reserved individuals. It’s more common-place for everyone to be interactive and somewhat dominant, the Directors and Socializers tendencies are more socially desirable. Question: So this information really applies across the world. Dr. O’Connor: Absolutely. I have found this is equally as valid and worthwhile informa
