Det er lett å tenke at man kommer lengst her i verden hvis man har litt spisse albuer. Men kanskje er det ikke slik likevel? I jobbsammenheng er det ganske stor forskjell på å være den som “gir” og den som “tar”. I denne ukens LeadershipCourageFun-blogg fra Kristine Maudal og Even Fossen i Brainwells ser de på fenomenet “giver” og “taker” og gir deg noen gode innspill å reflektere over.
(Innlegget er republisert fra Kristine og Evens blogg på Brainwells.com).
Many people believe that in order to succeed in today’s corporate world you must employ a “taker” mentality. Success depends on your ability to go out and get what you need, regardless of the costs and casualties. When you give too much, on the other hand, you show weakness and, ultimately, you lose.
But success does not have to come at someone else’s expense.
Not too long ago, we met a successful executive from New York. The industry he was a part of had a reputation for an aggressive and hard-nosed business attitude. But this man came across as kind and wise. We talked for hours, sharing stories about working life. Now in retirement, he reflected that treating his clients and employees with kindness and respect was the most important success factor for him. By adopting this attitude, he knew any problem that arose could always be resolved completely and swiftly.
Obtaining this kind and respectful attitude requires a shift for many and takes both courage and vulnerability. However if you can harness this mindset, it can be a game changer, especially when working with and approaching others on issues that inevitably come up. For this gentleman we spoke with, the attitude of kindness and respect was the recipe that ensured great success – and a better working life.
Motivation, ability and opportunity are the three most important factors to succeed, according to the bestseller “Give and Take – a Revolutionary Approach to Success” by Wharton School of Business’ Professor Adam Grant. According to Grant, there is also a fourth factor that is equally as important: the way in which we approach and treat others. Based on their attitude, people can often times be seen in one of two types: givers or takers.
Givers and takers have distinct signatures. Grant explains that takers “like to get more than they give. They tilt reciprocity in their own favor, putting their own interests ahead of the needs of others. Takers believe that the world is a competitive, dog-eat-dog place. They feel that in order to succeed, they need to be better than others. If you are a taker, you help others strategically, when the benefit to you outweighs the personal costs.
”Givers, on the other hand, tilt reciprocity in the other direction, preferring to give more than they get. As a giver, one uses a different cost-benefit analysis than a taker: a giver helps whenever the benefit to others exceeds the personal costs.”
Why does this matter, you might think? Well, first off, this is relevant because the corporate world is changing. And the requirements on how to behave in the workplace are changing accordingly. We are moving into an era of vulnerability and an age of generosity. The corporate world is more transparent than ever before. The way in which we behave with each other in the workplace is an important part of this. According to tons of research thoroughly covered in Grant’s book, givers ultimately succeed more than takers in the long run. They do this in a way that creates a ripple effect, enhancing the success of people around them. The difference lies in how the giver creates value, instead of just claiming it.
So now what?
According to the book, there are four key domains that describe the traits of successful givers:
1) Networking: When meeting other people, think about how you can contribute or help them, rather than what you will get in return. In the long run you will be rewarded.
2) Collaboration: The collective power of the team has tremendous potential, and is way stronger than the effort of the individual.
3) Evaluation: By learning how to give and receive constructive feedback, with the intention of constantly improving, everyone gets better and develops in a positive way.
4) Influencing: Be a golden star, lead by example. Try to see your own behavior from the outside. Are you proud of yourself? If so – keep up the good work.
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